... 2630 bc . It as six steps on each side , each step 60 m 200 ft high . Over time , the step pyramid developed into the true pyramid ith smooth sides.The largest and most famous pyramids of ancient Egypt are those that held the bodies of the pharaons Khufu , Khafre , and Menkaure at Giza , near modern Cairo . The Great Pyramid of Khufu has a volume of some 2.6 million cu m 91.8 ,million cu ft , and it is believed that 2.5 million blocks of stone , each eighing an average of 2.5 tonnes , ere used to built it . Each side of the pyramide is 230m 750 ft long , and it is 146 m 480 ft high.The Pyramid ComplexThe pyramids of ancient Egypt ere usually planned as part of a group of different buildings knon as a pyramid complex or mortuary complex . A typical complex consisted of the main pyramid itself smaller pyramids, often built for the pharaon a mortuary temple a causeay leading to the temple here the cult of the pharaon as honoured mastaba tombs for relatives of the pharaon and important officials funerary pits for lesser officials and an enclosure all . The bestexample of a pyramid complex is that at Giza here boat pits also formed part of the complex .Building a PyramideThe pyramids ere built by farm labourers , ho made up 90 per cent of the population of ancient egypt . orking on the pyramids probably under the supervision of skilled , as a kind of tax that everyone had to pay . The ork took place during the three or four months of the year hen the Nile as in flood , hen fields ere underater and no farming could be done .The ay that the pyramids ere built is not knon for certain . After a site had been chosen , alays on the est bank of the Nile for spiritual reasons , the ground as carefully surveyed . The orientation of the pyramid-the precise angle that it as to stand at-ould be orked out by astronomers . Building could then begin . The stone blocks ere set in place in such a ay as to create terraces so that orkmen could stand on the pyramid as it as being built . The passageays and chambers inside the pyramid ere constructed as building progressed . The terraces on the outside ere later filled in and the pyramid as covered ith a smooth layer of limestone . Much of the stone used to build pyramids from local quarries and transported on barges on the Nile . Only the fine limestone , used for making up the outer casing of the pyramide , and the granite that as used for specific chambers , ere brought from further aay . The first stone blocks ere probably set in place ith simple cranes and levers . As construction progressed and the pyramid gre taller , ramps ere built so that blocks of stone could be hauled up ith ropes . hen the pyramid shape as completed the tip of the pyramid as covered in a dark-coloured stone , and the smooth outer casing of contrasting hite limestone as added , orkingfrom the top of the bottom so that the ramp and scaffolding ere gradually cleared . The limestone as polished to make it shine brightly in the sun and reflect moonlight . Inside a PyramideThe interior of Egyptian pyramids consisted of passageays leading to rooms build either underground or deep inside the pyramid , here the pharaons body , ith rich gifts for the afterlife , as laid to rest . The passageays ere designed to be confusing , and some led to dead ends . This as to prevent grave-robbers ho managed to break into the pyramid from finding their ay to the burial chambers .The entrance to the pyramid as also camouflaged . The entrance to the pyramide as generally in the north side and the basic plan consisted of a descending passageay leading don to an underground burial chamber . The Great Pyramid of Giza is different it has three burial chambers , to above ground ithin the body of the pyramid , and one belo ground . A descending passageay leads into a further passage that in turn leads to a room knon as the Queens Chamber , that as probably intended to house a statue of the pharaoh . An ascending passageay leads into a chamber knon as the Grand Gallery . A high step at the top of the gallery forms a passageay leading to the principal burial chamber , a large room built entirely of granite that today contains only a massive granite sarcophagus.The Funeral RiteAfter embalming and mummification , the body of the pharaoh as placed in a sarcophagus and carried to the pyramid on a sledge or ceremonial boat in ritual procession led by priests and folloed by mourners . Once inside the pyramid , priests placed the sarcophagus in the burial chamber and also sa that the pharaoh as provided ith all that he might need in the afterlife this might take the form of vessels containing food and ine , and gold or other precious objects . The alls of the burial chamber ere sometimes painted ith scenes of daily life , or ith spells that ould ensure the safety of pharaohs soul.orkmen then sealed the chamber and as they left the pyramid they sealed the entrance hiding it completely by filling it ith the same limestone slabs that covered the rest of the pyramid .The Egyptian pyramids ere designed to keep the mummified body of the pharaoh for ever . Hoever , tomb-robbers often found their ay into the burial chamber , her they stole the treasures intended for the pharaohs afterlife and sometimes disturbed the body . Because of this problem the ancient Egyptians gradually stopped building pyramids and from about 1570 bc , started burying their dead in secret underground tombs such as those in the Valley of the Kings .Liana Corneanu KCJasfm01E iaadhaaaaaaKiBCDFIJKaaESadhEaSaaaaadhaaP1h. UC!nn...
Download