Why were large stone arches rarely used in ancient Egyptian temple architecture?

While arches were known in ancient Egypt, they were considered unsuitable for monumental architecture and were rarely used in temples.1

The primary reasons for this preference include:

• Architectural Tradition: Egyptian masons were deeply influenced by the aesthetic and structural paradigm of early timber-frame buildings. This tradition favored the post-and-lintel system, which relies on vertical supports (columns) holding up horizontal beams (lintels).234
• Material Limitations: While stone is exceptionally strong in compression, it is weak in tension. Stone lintels are limited by the tension that develops on their bottom surfaces, restricting their span to approximately 5 meters (16 feet). Despite the arch's ability to span greater distances by utilizing compressive strength, Egyptian builders remained content to explore the limitations of the stone-frame system, which they refined into the elegant temples of the New Kingdom.2
• Functional Scope: When arches were used in Egypt, they were typically confined to utilitarian structures, such as sewers or the underground roofs of tombs for minor officials, rather than the grand state temples.21