The Ancient Pyramids
Egypt is well known for their unique and rich history. The pyramids are one of the most fascinating structure built in ancient Egypt which are still standing today. Many different techniques were used to build these enormous edifices. Pyramids were constructed as burial tombs for pharaohs and their queens. Egyptians believed Pharaohs were chosen by the gods to rule (History, 2016). Due to this concept, the Egyptians praised Pharaohs, preserved their corpses after death, and placed them in extraordinary pyramids. Riches and other items were placed inside their sarcophagi for their spirits to use in the afterlife (History, 2016).
The most famous pyramids from ancient Egypt are the Pyramids of Giza. The oldest, as well as largest, of the six pyramids was constructed for King Khufu and its initial height was 481.4 feet. Alongside the structure are three other miniature sized pyramids (History, 2016). These were used for Khufu’s three wives. The middle pyramid was designed for Khufu’s son Khafre. The symbolic Great Sphinx lies next to Khafre’s complex (History, 2016). The southernmost pyramid, as well as the shortest, was established for Khafre’s son Menkaure (History, 2016).
The ancient Egyptians created these pyramids strategically according to their religious beliefs. The smooth prism-like shape resembles sun rays which were designed to direct a pharaoh's soul toward heaven. Amazingly, the Egyptians used “approximately 2.3 million blocks of stone (averaging about 2.5 tons each) had to be cut, transported and assembled to build Khufu’s Great Pyramid” (History, 2016). The Pyramid of Khufu’s structure weighs around sixteen times the weight of the Empire State Building (National Geographic Kids, 2016). Pyramids often were constructed with several chambers and passages. Many of these great structures were robbed of their sacred treasures. Despite these acts of burglary, the tomb of King Tutankhamun, located in the Valley of the Kings, is still almost perfectly intact to this day (Science Kids, 2016).
Egypt is well known for their unique and rich history. The pyramids are one of the most fascinating structure built in ancient Egypt which are still standing today. Many different techniques were used to build these enormous edifices. Pyramids were constructed as burial tombs for pharaohs and their queens. Egyptians believed Pharaohs were chosen by the gods to rule (History, 2016). Due to this concept, the Egyptians praised Pharaohs, preserved their corpses after death, and placed them in extraordinary pyramids. Riches and other items were placed inside their sarcophagi for their spirits to use in the afterlife (History, 2016).
The most famous pyramids from ancient Egypt are the Pyramids of Giza. The oldest, as well as largest, of the six pyramids was constructed for King Khufu and its initial height was 481.4 feet. Alongside the structure are three other miniature sized pyramids (History, 2016). These were used for Khufu’s three wives. The middle pyramid was designed for Khufu’s son Khafre. The symbolic Great Sphinx lies next to Khafre’s complex (History, 2016). The southernmost pyramid, as well as the shortest, was established for Khafre’s son Menkaure (History, 2016).
The ancient Egyptians created these pyramids strategically according to their religious beliefs. The smooth prism-like shape resembles sun rays which were designed to direct a pharaoh's soul toward heaven. Amazingly, the Egyptians used “approximately 2.3 million blocks of stone (averaging about 2.5 tons each) had to be cut, transported and assembled to build Khufu’s Great Pyramid” (History, 2016). The Pyramid of Khufu’s structure weighs around sixteen times the weight of the Empire State Building (National Geographic Kids, 2016). Pyramids often were constructed with several chambers and passages. Many of these great structures were robbed of their sacred treasures. Despite these acts of burglary, the tomb of King Tutankhamun, located in the Valley of the Kings, is still almost perfectly intact to this day (Science Kids, 2016).