When thinking about Egypt or the Pharaohs, the image of the Egyptian pyramids, considered as one of the 7 wonders of the ancient world, imposing structures that have captivated mankind for centuries, undoubtedly comes to mind.
Pyramids In Egypt What are the pyramids of Egypt?
The pyramids in Egypt are real pyramids, distinguished by their square base and triangular sides, where the sides are formed at about 50 degrees to the Earth’s surface.
They are made of stone blocks hundreds of meters high and inside there may be more than one chamber or room, such as the king’s chamber and the queen’s chamber, and are made of granite blocks.
There have been several theories about how the construction of the pyramids of Egypt was possible and how the objective was achieved. However, visiting this historic country without visiting these emblematic pyramids is unthinkable.
Pyramid of Cheops
The oldest pyramid in Giza is the Great Pyramid of Cheops. It began construction around 2600 BC and was completed around 2570 BC. It has three known chambers that housed the king’s sarcophagus along with his treasures. Also associated with Cheops are three smaller queen pyramids and two boat pits. With a height of 137 m, this pyramid was considered the tallest man-made structure for thousands of years.
Pyramid of Chephren
The next pyramid was built by Cheops’ son, Chephren. At 136 m high, it is the second tallest pyramid in Giza. It was completed around 2570 BC and appears larger than the pyramid of Cheops, as it stands on higher ground. The peak of the pyramid is still crowned by the original polished limestone facing. The valley temple, several statues of Chephren and the great sphinx are also part of this pyramid complex.
The last of the pyramids at Giza was built for Chephren’s son, Mycerinus, around 2510 BC. It is the smallest of the three main pyramids, standing only 62 meters high. It is believed that the pharaoh Mycerinus died before the structure was completed and that some stones were left unfinished. The pyramid of Mycerinus is also accompanied by three smaller pyramids, as well as a temple in the valley that once contained many statues of the pharaoh.
Pyramids of the queens
To the east of the great pyramid of Cheops, there are three small pyramids, some barely 20 m high. They are the tombs of the wives and sisters of Cheops, popularly known as the pyramids of the queens. They include the pyramid of Hetepheres, the mother of Cheops, and of the queens Meritites and Henutsen, his wives. To the south of the pyramid of Mycerinus are three other small pyramids of the queens, but it is unknown who is buried there.
The great funerary complex of Sakkara was commissioned by Zoser near the capital of the ancient empire Memphis. It constitutes a starting point for the later development of funerary architecture. It is the first funerary enclosure built entirely of stone; Zoser intended to build himself an abode for eternity, this feature and the existence of numerous outbuildings attached to the great step pyramid indicate that a complex religious corpus already existed.
The enclosure measures 278m x 545m, was bounded by a wall whose original height has been estimated at 10m, and was articulated with bastions and projections arranged at regular distances, reminiscent of the facades of the palace buildings of the I and II Dynasty. The rhythm of the wall is interrupted by a series of false portals (the real entrance is in the southwest corner) that give the impression of being open to the enclosure.
The pyramid, which presides over the complex, has a base of 125 x 109m and a height of over 60m. It is formed by six irregular steps, as if they were a superposition of mastabas. Under the pyramidal structure opens the funerary chamber which is accessed through a well; it is built with red granite. Above the burial chamber were designed a series of labyrinthine corridors, designed to prevent the desecration of the burial chamber, in one of them have been found three reliefs that offers a vision of the pharaoh engaged in various ritual work, these scenes were intended for the sole contemplation of the pharaoh in his afterlife. In another chamber is the grave goods of the Pharaoh.
The Pyramid of Unas
The funerary complex of the last pharaoh of the V Dynasty included the pyramid, the temple, and the gallery leading to the temple in the valley. The pyramid is of modest size and was already in ruins in 2000 BC when Ramses II had it restored.
The pyramid of Meidum is located in a burial site south of Sakkara, about 100 km from Cairo. Remains of the central structure are preserved surrounded by a mound formed by the debris of the covering. The importance of this pyramid does not lie therefore neither in its appearance nor in its conservation but in the moment of its conception. That of Meidum is one of the three great pyramids built during the reign of Snefru, the first pharaoh of the fourth dynasty, approximately 2500 years ago. Continuing with the construction system initiated by Zoser in the Third Dynasty, which consisted of the progressive superimposition of mastabas, the pharaoh Snefru designed his eternal abode with a different aspect to that of Sakkara. It had to be bigger, even more pointed, Thus, the pyramid of Meidum is considered the authentic beginning of the perfect pyramid.
The Dahshur desert is located on the west bank of the Nile, south of the city of Cairo. The area is considered a royal necropolis by the Egyptian royal family and consists mainly of two pyramids; the bent pyramid and the red pyramid. The curved pyramid of Dahshur was built by the first king of the 4th dynasty Sneferu, and was the first attempt to build a flat pyramid rather than a stepped one. Perhaps that’s why the pyramid is tilted from halfway up (54) degrees to (43) degrees. The second pyramid was the first successful attempt to build the classic pyramid shape without any fakes or slopes. It was called the Red Pyramid because it had inscriptions in red ink of King Sneferu’s name on the rocks opposite.
The bent pyramid of Sneferu
The bent pyramid of Sneferu is the southern one and was built first. During construction, the architect made a big mistake, and didn’t realize it until the pyramid reached 48 meters high, which led them to complete the pyramid with a slope instead of a smooth service. The folded pyramid to the south of Dahshur was made of limestone and has an entrance on the south face, but in 1951, scientists discovered another entrance on the west side. The area around the pyramid hosts other pharaonic structures, such as the small temple of a sanctuary and the small subsidiary pyramid that was discovered in 1947.
King Senefru built another pyramid located 2 km from the first. This time, the architect took into account his previous mistakes and started the pyramid at 43 degrees from the beginning to avoid any inclination like the curved pyramid. In fact, this was the first perfect pyramid with straight sides ever made, and the guideline for those who came after Senefru to build straight, smooth-surfaced pyramids like the three pyramids of Giza. This pyramid is known as the red dahshur pyramid because its inner burial chamber was made of rosette limestone. On the north side of the pyramid, there is an entrance leading to the inner chamber connected by a second chamber with a passage. At the end of the second chamber, there is a path that leads to the burial chamber.
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