Introduction - Egyptian Pyramids
At the height of its civilization ancient Egypt built numerous pyramids most of which were tombs for their Pharaohs. Many of these ancient structures still stand today. These amazing buildings were incredible accomplishments for their time and are some of the most magnificent structures ever built, especially the Great Pyramid at Giza. In this section of Ancient Egyptian Facts you will find lists of facts about ancient Egyptian pyramids. This page includes information on why pyramids were built, where they are located, and how they were built. As with all our pages the pages of this section our written for both kids and adults to read and learn from.Click here for a great selection of Amazon.com books about Ancient Egyptian Pyramids.
Interesting Ancient Egyptian Pyramid Facts
- Pyramids were built to be tombs for pharaohs and their queens. These ancient people went through great effort to insure their souls would survive after death. Sometimes the individual's body was put in the pyramid but sometimes the pyramid was just meant as a place for the soul of the deceased to reside in the afterlife.
- Why were the pharaohs tombs built with a pyramid shape? The answer most likely lies with the importance of the sun in their religion. The pyramids shape is believed to depict descending sun rays.
- The most interesting and amazing pyramids are the Great Pyramids at Giza; however most people do not realize there are over one hundred pyramids located in Egypt.
- The oldest pyramid in Egypt is located at Saqqara. It was built in approximately 2630 BC for King Djoser who ruled in the third dynasty. This structure is known as the Step Pyramid. At 204 feet (62 meters) it became the tallest man made structure in the world at that time. It had courtyards surrounding it where Djoser could spend the afterlife.
- Starting with the pyramid for King Djoser stepped pyramids were constructed (but never finished) for numerous kings.
- The Red Pyramid at Dahshur was the first smooth-sided (not stepped) pyramid. It was built for Sneferu a king in the fourth dynasty.
- Near modern-day Cairo stand the most amazing pyramids built by the ancient Egyptians; the Great Pyramids of Giza. The Great Pyramid is the most ancient and the largest of the pyramids at Giza; it is the only one of the seven wonders of the ancient world that is still standing. It is the tomb of Khufu a king of the fourth dynasty. It is constructed with over two million blocks of stone weighing around 2.5 tons ( 2,268 kilograms) each that had to be cut, transported and assembled. This was an almost unbelievable accomplishment for this time.
- In 2017 an ancient diary of an official involved in the construction of the Great Pyramid of Giza was discovered. This document explained how the massive stones were transported from the quarry where they were cut to the pyramid by boat via man made canals; thus, explaining how the stones were transported so far and solving one of the great mysteries of the pyramids construction.
Conclusion Ancient Egyptian Pyramid Facts
- Unfortunately tomb robbers throughout the ages have taken many of the magnificent artifacts from the interiors of the pyramids. Pharaohs were buried with numerous treasures made of precious metals like gold that they would have in the afterlife.
- Throughout the centuries the exteriors of the pyramids have been stripped of the limestone that use to cover their exterior.
- Egyptian pyramids are the most popular tourist attractions in Egypt.