The pyramids in Egypt take us back to the ancient history of one of the world’s first civilizations created on the banks of the old Nile River, glorified with myths, legends, and enchanting architecture.
Egypt is home to 7 UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Egypt’s ancient dynasties were rich in development and economic resources, creating a fascinating land out of a vacant desert.
The architectural advancement of ancient Egypt shines and amazes the world even today through the spectacular ancient Egyptian pyramids. The Egyptian pyramids were built as a safe home to the royal tombs of the ‘Pharaohs’ or Egyptian kings.
The pyramid construction was primarily focused on building structures where the mummified body of a dead king could rest and travel to the afterlife. The pyramid building established the king’s influence in his kingdom during his reign.
All the requirements, including food materials, utensils, and expensive ornaments, were placed in the burial chamber. The ancient Egyptians believed that the contents of the old great pyramids should keep the dead king’s majesty intact in the afterlife.
Sometimes, the ancient Egyptians created fake burial chambers to make robbers lose their way as a precaution to protect the valuables of a pyramid from being looted.
Most of the great pyramids were built with tomb walls engraved with beautiful inscriptions. These pyramid texts explain the old kingdom of Egypt on a massive scale, even mentioning the whole process of a brain transplant marvelously.
1. Famous Pyramids in Egypt
1.1. The Giza Pyramid Complex
The Giza Pyramid Complex, on the west bank of the river Nile, consists of the three major pyramids of Giza- The Pyramid of Khufu, the Pyramid of Khafre, and the Pyramid of Menkaure.
About six smaller subsidiary pyramids dedicated to the women of the royal family are also present in this complex. These are considered the most enchanting pyramids of Egypt worldwide.
1.1.1. The Great Pyramid Of Giza
Location – Al Ahram, Giza
The oldest one on the list of the Seven Ancient Wonders of the World is the only surviving structure well-preserved on the sands of time. The Great Pyramid of Giza stands proudly in the ancient city of Cairo.
The Great Pyramid of Giza is the tomb of the Pharaoh Khufu, the second of the eight kings of the fourth dynasty of ancient Egypt. It stands tall at the Northern end of the line of the three pyramids of Giza.
This Egyptian pyramid is undisputedly the tallest man-made structure in the past 3800 years, with a height of approximately 481 feet. The base covers an area of around 755 square feet with a volume of 92 million cubic feet.
The pyramid primarily comprises limestone from the Giza plateau and Aswan and Granite in the Pharaoh’s burial chamber. Around two million stone blocks were used to create this architectural wonder.
The pyramid building comprises 3 main chambers with two mortuary temples in the funerary complex around the pyramid joined by a causeway.
The funerary complex also comprises subsidiary ” satellite pyramids,” five solar barges, and three smaller pyramids attributed to Khufu’s wives.
Egyptians believed the pyramids possessed a mysterious invisible door weighing around twenty tonnes. Scientists have also confirmed its presence, and the world still marvels at this spectacular architectural feature.
Each chamber of this pyramid building contained valuables placed by the builders so that the souls of the kings could use them in the afterlife.
The ancient Greek historian Herodotus wrote the first book mentioning Khufu’s Great Pyramid. The most northerly pyramid in Egypt is the Pyramid of Djedefre, the son of the ancient Egyptian king Khufu.
1.1.2. The Pyramid Of Khafre
Location – Al Ahram, Giza
The Pyramid of Khafre is famous as the second-largest pyramid of Giza. It was constructed for Khufu’s son, Khafre. This ancient Egyptian pyramid is also known as the Pyramid of Chephren.
Dating back to 2570 BC, this pyramid was built on a bedrock, granting it an increased elevation with a pointed top.
The distinguishing feature of this pyramid is the presence of two entrances. The pyramid complex also houses The Great Sphinx, a mortuary temple, and a Valley Temple.
The Great Sphinx is a sculpture of a lion with the head of a human that is constructed out of natural rock and is believed to be guarding the ancient Pyramid of Khufu.
1.1.3. The Pyramid Of Menkaure
Location – Al Ahram, Giza
This Egyptian pyramid was built for the grandson of Khufu, Menkaure. He was the last Pharaoh to construct a pyramid.
This pyramid is the smallest in the complex and comprises Aswan granite and limestone. The excavation of the temple in the valley led to the discovery of many statues of Menkaure.
The base of this pyramid comprises 16 layers of red granite. The outer structure was constructed using limestone, just like the pyramid of Khufu.
This dynasty pyramid stands at a height of 65 metres.
1.2. The Bent Pyramid
Location – Al Badrashin, Giza
The Pyramid of Sneferu, known as the Bent Pyramid, dates back to 2600 BC. The pyramid site is located at the centre of Dahshur. Dahshur was found inside a military base; therefore, it was outside the archaeological circles until 1996.
This ancient pyramid is also popularly known as the Southern Shining Pyramid. It is the first Egyptian pyramid with the architectural feature of a smooth-sided pyramid with a true smooth side from the outset.
Ancient Egyptian society believed that the pyramid’s smooth angled sides symbolized the inclined rays of the sun. This design helped the dead king’s soul ascend to heaven and meet the Gods, particularly the Sun God Ra.
This pyramid stands at 40m at an angle of 54 degrees from the ground.
The top section of the Bent Pyramid is at an angle of 43 degrees, creating a tilting image of the pyramid. Hence, it is called the Bent Pyramid.
1.3. The Red Pyramid
Location – Giza Governorate, Egypt
The Red Pyramid is a spectacular clue to the glory of the old kingdom of Egyptian kings. The Pharaoh Sneferu built the Red Pyramid from red limestone. It is the third largest of all pyramids in Egypt.
This pyramid measures 104m in height and is famously called the North Pyramid.
This pyramid’s first and second chambers are built with an axis along the north-south direction. The third chamber’s axis is aligned in the east-west direction.
The east side of this pyramid has the remains of the Mortuary Temple.
1.4. The Step Pyramid
Location – Saqqara necropolis, Egypt
The Step Pyramid of Djoser, one of the best pyramids of the Third Dynasty of Egypt, was built by the first Egyptian Pharaoh. The pyramid’s construction started as a square mastaba, more precisely, a square-based pyramid.
The west bank of the Nile River is blessed with this marvelous wonder. This Egyptian pyramid was first built using six mastabas in the form of stacks that decreased in size, making the pyramid appear to be rising in steps.
The masonry exists in courses inclined towards the middle of the pyramid, providing the pyramid building with increased structural stability.
Large blocks of limestone were used to construct these monuments, along with beautiful tomb walls for the last king of the second dynasty.
1.5. The Pyramid Of Sahure
Location – At half an hour’s distance from the capital city of Egypt, Cairo
This Egyptian pyramid is located in Abusir, near the Temple of the Sun, and is dedicated to the Sun God, Ra. Many pyramids in Egypt glorify the Sun God, Ra.
Fourteen pyramids are present at this site, collectively serving as the royal tombs of the dead kings of the Fifth Dynasty. These pyramids were built using blocks of pink granite portcullis.
The uncovered courtyard of the Mortuary temple comprises 16 monolithic pink granite pillars in the shape of palm groves.
1.6. The Pyramid Of Ahmose
Location – Abydos
This pyramid is the last known royal kingdom pyramid of the ancient world. It was not built as a tomb for a Pharaoh. It was made as a cenotaph for Pharaoh Ahmose I.
The Pyramid of Ahmose is the solitary royal pyramid in this area. It stands at a height of 10m from the ground. The length of the base is about 172 feet, and the sides are inclined at an angle of 60 degrees.
No burial chamber is present at this pyramid site, except for a few temples. It was built using bricks of mud instead of blocks of limestone.
Well, these were some famous pyramids that are currently found in Egypt. As per different sources, there are at least 118 identified Egyptian pyramids. But the most famous ones are those that are found in Giza. So, if you ever plan to visit Egypt, you definitely have to have a good look at these.
Last Updated on December 5, 2023 by Ms.Hazarika
