Pyramids

The afterlife was important in ancient Egypt, and the Pharaoh would prepare the building of his tomb early in his reign as construction took many years to complete. 

 

In the Old Kingdom pyramids were built with ledges or steps and known as step pyramids. In later Kingdoms they were built with sloping sides that were flat. 

 

Pyramids, named after their shape were built in many different sizes, mainly close to the River Nile as this made it easy to ferry the stone blocks in by boat. Slaves cut blocks into smaller sizes and put them in position, by use of a ramp, one block at a time. 

 

Thousands of slaves were used in the building of pyramids and some pyramids are believed to have taken over twenty-five years to complete. 

 

Pyramids consisted of many rooms with passages and stairs leading to them; the main tomb for the Pharaoh, with many anti-chambers for his consort and members of his family. These were buried deep in the pyramid, contained traps and had curses painted or carved on the walls, fake tombs were also built. These things were an important part of the pyramid construction, to confuse and keep out grave robbers. 

 

Pharaohs were buried with all their worldly goods as they would be needed in the afterlife; therefore, much gold and treasure, was to be had by grave robbers. 

 

There have been over 130 pyramids identified and the largest of these is the pyramid Khufu, also known as the Great Pyramid of Giza. This is the oldest of the Seven Ancient Wonders of the World and is still standing today.