The people of ancient Egypt believed that when they died they
started a journey to the next world. The mummified body of the king was buried
inside the pyramid to protect it whilst on the journey. Pyramids may have been
built in that shape so that they form a ramp for the kings' journeys to
the Sun God
Each of the Giza Pyramids had an adjoining mortuary temple where rituals for the
dead king and for the Egyptian gods may have been carried out.
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A classic view of
the pyramids showing the three main pyramid of the Nile. They are at Giza
though Giza itself has largely been overtaken by Cairo which is now huge.
One of the much smaller Queen's pyramids is in view on this one next to
Mercerinus' pyramid on the right. Chephren's pyramid is in the centre with
Cheop's pyramid on the left. |
Two views of
Chephren's pyramid.
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These two images
offer another classic view, this time Chephren's pyramid towering over the
great Sphinx of Giza. On the right is a single picture of Mycerinus' (also
known as Menkaure) pyramid.
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King Cheops’ (also
known as Khufu)
Pyramid was probably built between 2589-2566 BC. It is said that
it took over 2,300,000 stone blocks, each weighing over 2.5 tons, to make
the Cheops Pyramid.
Standing at the bottom, looking up at the Cheops pyramid. A person is the
height of two to three blocks. The entrance is about a quarter of the way
up - quite a climb!
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Researchers
think it must have taken over 100,000 slaves to build the Pyramid. The
four sides of the pyramid are perfectly oriented to North South East and
West. The base has sides 230 metres long. The pyramid was originally 146
metres high until it was robbed of its outer casing and capstone.
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| In 1954 two
Egyptian ships were found in five pits at the base of the Great Pyramid.
They had been dismantled and buried around 2600 BCE.
The first ship, called Cheops 1 was re-assembled 1969-71 and is on display
at the Cheops pyramid, in a museum building that was created especially for
the ship in 1982.
The boat has no nails. It was held together with ropes and pegs and is
amazingly intact. The purpose of these boats may have been intended for
travel to the after-life or to accompany the Sun-God on his journey. |
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The pit believed
to contain the second ship, Cheops 2, has not been excavated yet, it will be
eventually. Specialists want to be sure that they get the treatment right to
preserve this one before they disturb the second ship.
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The Sphinx in
front of Chephren's (also known as Kahfre) pyramid. That pyramid still has a
little of the original marble covering at the top, the rest has been removed
over the years by locals using it in building projects. |
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The pyramids, as
shown in picture 18 are literally on the edge of the town. As you are
driving round Giza you can see one of them on the skyline most of the time
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The entrance to
a mortuary temple.
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A local
excavation site. Excavations are still being carried out all round the
historical sites, they are mainly shielded by cloth screens because work is
constantly being stopped by tourist questions.
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Policemen tour the
area on camels and in trucks to protect the tourists. |
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The Steppe Pyramid at Saqqara |
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According to archaeologists, the
Steppe
Pyramid was
the first pyramid
built in Egypt, and the first project made completely out of limestone.
It was built at Saqqara,
about 15 kilometres from the others at Giza.
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