Pyramid

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The ancient Egyptians built pyramids as tombs for
the pharaohs and their queens. The pharaohs were
buried in pyramids of many different shapes and sizes
from before the beginning of the Old Kingdom to the end
of the Middle Kingdom.

The pharaoh Khufu, like the pharaohs before him, began planning his 'house of eternity'
as soon as he took the throne. A spot was chosen for building on the west bank of the
Nile. Cemeteries were usually built on the west bank because the sun 'died' on the
western horizon every night.
Khufu's architects were wise and experienced men. They knew the importance of building
the pharaoh's final resting place so that its sides faced directly north, south, east and west.
They planned a large pyramid- the largest one ever built in ancient Egypt. The outlines of
the pyramid were measured and marked in the desert sand.
Then the building began. Large blocks of stone were cut from quarries nearby. They were
dragged by groups of men across the desert to the site of the pyramid and set in place.
Most of the workers were farmers who worked on building the pyramid during the flood
season when their fields were under water.
After the first level of blocks was in place, the workers built ramps of mudbrick, limestone
chips and clay. The workers dragged the large stones up the ramps to build the next level
of the pyramid.
For about 20 years, hundreds of men worked on building the pyramid. As they built each
level, they also built up the ramps around the pyramid.
When the pyramid was almost finished, a special block covered in shining metal (either
gold or electrum) was placed on the top of the pyramid.

Then, blocks of white limestone from quarries across the Nile were used to cover the
pyramid. The blocks were trimmed to make the outside of the pyramid smooth.

Finally, the pyramid was finished.

Khufu's pyramid was only part of the complex built for him at Giza.

This complex had many different parts:

 Three pyramids for Khufu's queens.

 Several deep pits containing boats that had been buried.
 A mortuary temple where Khufu would be worshipped after he died.
 A causeway leading from the pyramid complex down to the valley temple.
 A valley temple where the pharaoh's funeral would begin.
 A small 'satellite' pyramid.
 The mastaba tombs of nobles.
 How were other ancient Egyptians buried?
The ancient Egyptians believed that it was important to be buried properly. A proper burial would allow them to live
again in the afterlife. Thus, most people who could afford to, spent a lot of time and effort making sure that they would
be buried well.

Most ordinary ancient Egyptians were probably buried in the desert. Their relatives would wrap their body in a simple
cloth and bury it with some everyday objects and food.

Those with more wealth would be able to afford a better burial. The graves of some craftsmen and workers have been
found containing a mummified body as well as bread, fruit, amulets and furniture for the afterlife.

Nobles and very wealthy people were often buried in tombs that we call 'mastabas'. This kind of tomb has an
underground burial chamber and an above ground offering chapel. These tombs would contain the person's mummified
body, as well as food, jewellery and special objects.

Why did the ancient Egyptians use the pyramid shape?

Egyptologists have developed many theories about why the tombs of the early pharaohs
were built in the pyramid shape. Here are three different ideas:

1. The pyramid represented the first land to appear at the beginning of time- a hill
called 'Ben-Ben'.
2. The pyramid had sloping sides so that the dead pharaoh could symbolically climb to
the sky and live forever.
3. The pyramid represented the rays of the sun.