The Pyramids
The Egyptian Pyramids
More than eighty pyramids were built around the Nile from 1600 - 2700 BC. The pyramids are thought to have been built by the Egyptians for their kings and queens. They believed that their rulers were mortal gods and that when they died they would join the immortal gods. The Egyptians believed that if they kept their bodies safe, the spirit would have the chance to return to it and their power would preserve Egypt.
Types of Pyramids.
There were 3 different types of pyramids: The Step Pyramid, the Bent Pyramid, and the Straight Sided Pyramid.
The Step Pyramid - A pyramid made of large clear steps (not the normal pyramids we see that look like steps).
The Bent Pyramid - A straight sided pyramid, until near the top where it bends inward at a sharper angle.
The Straight Sided Pyramid - The normal pyramid that we see usually see in movies and books. All 4 sides of it bend in to the top-center.
Building a Pyramid
First the Egyptians would choose a place to build on the west bank of the Nile, usually on rock and far above anywhere the flood waters can reach. Next they had to make a base for the pyramid without the base even slightly sloping. They would cut a stream or channel around the construction area and fill most of it with water. It would then be possible to see exactly where the water level was by looking at the settled water. The water drained away, and the channels filled in.
The pyramids were made of good quality limestone which was quarried in Giza. With the first stone blocks they made the chamber which would hold the coffin or sarcophagus and the hallway or walkway to the room. We still have no idea how the pyramids were built, however, some experts think that they were built one layer at a tim, using ramps to get up to the top. When the pyramid shape was built they removed the ramp as they went down, covering the pyramid with granite or quartz, for a polished like finish.
The Great Pyramid
By far the largest and greatest pyramid, King Khufu ordered it to be built for him when he was in power of Egypt. His reign lasted for about 25 years and he was known as a Tyrant who was so conceited that he wanted himself to have the largest tomb, and actually ordered his to be made. The Great Pyramid is around 500 feet high and 750 feet long and is the largest structure ever built before recent times. It was once surrounded by hundreds of temples and tombs which have since perished!
The Great Mystery
The Great Pyramid still holds many a mystery as to how such primitive humans could transport and lift heavy stone blocks with only basic tools. Some people say this task could not be done even with today's technology, and others believe that "alien beings" were responsible for the construction of the pyramids. Another mystery of the pyramids is the fact that they are exactly in line with certain stars.
Most pictures of the pyramids show tham as having a rough surface with 'steps' leading all the way up. When they were first built it is known that the pyramids were covered in quartz and were very smooth and glossy which is quite hard to imagine. Over time people took the quartz, partly to make new buildings and partly to make the pyramids easier to climb.
Home