Final answer:
Egypt's greatest contribution to architecture is their development of monumental architecture, with the pyramid of Djoser as a prime example. Subsequent New Kingdom monuments like the Great Temple at Abu Simbel and the hypostyle hall at Karnak, which included an early example of clerestory lighting, also illustrate their lasting architectural innovations.
Step-by-step explanation:
Egypt's greatest contribution to architecture is widely considered to be its development of monumental architecture, particularly exemplified by the construction of the pyramids. One of the most remarkable of these is the step pyramid built for King Djoser by the architect Imhotep around 2660 BCE. This structure marked the beginning of the use of stone on a large scale in Egyptian architecture, with the pyramid complex including temples and setting the precedent for future monumental builds.
The New Kingdom era continued this tradition of monumental architecture, not with pyramids but with grand temples and statues. The Great Temple at Abu Simbel and its colossal statues carved during the reign of Ramses II, as well as the hypostyle hall at Karnak, are standout examples. These creations showcased the engineering prowess and aesthetic sensibilities of ancient Egyptian culture - the scale, the detail, and the symbolic significance are remarkable.
The Karnak Temple's hypostyle hall, a vast space with a roof supported by columns, shows another innovative aspect of Egyptian architecture - the use of clerestory lighting, which allowed light into otherwise dark interior spaces. Such architectural features not only served practical functions but also contributed to the religious and ritualistic significance of the spaces they adorned. As a result, these ancient wonders remain influential in the field of architecture to this day.