The ancient Egyptians built pyramids as tombs for the pharaohs and their queens. The tradition of pyramid building started in Ancient Egypt as a sophistication of the idea of a mastaba or "platform" covering the royal tomb. Later, several stacked mastabas started being used. Today the pyramids are counted amongst the archeological wonders of the world. Some of the pyramids of Egypt are:
THE GREAT PYRAMIDS OF GIZA Giza, one of the several necropolises that served the ancient city is home to some amazing pyramids of Egypt and also the famous Great Sphinx. The three great pyramids of Giza are:
Khufu's PyramidOf the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, Khufu's Pyramid is the only survivor. It is indeed impressive, originally standing some 146.59 (481 feet) high and covering about thirteen acres of land. The pyramid was built around 2589-2566 B.C.
Khafre's PyramidKhafre, the son of Khufu, who was also known as Chephren, is responsible for the construction of the second largest pyramid complex at Giza, which includes the Sphinx, a Mortuary Temple, and a Valley Temple. Limestone and red granite was used for building the temple. Built around 2558-2532 B.C, the most distinct feature of Khafre's Pyramid is the topmost layer of smooth stones that are the only remaining casing stones on a Giza Pyramid.
MenkaureThis pyramid with an original height of 215 feet was built for King Menkaure, who ruled from 2490 - 2472 B.C. the pyramid is built of limestone and red granite while the sarcophagus was made up of basalt.
THE PYRAMID OF KHENTKAUES Located at Abusir, the pyramids of pharaoh Khentkaues measuring four meters high, was built using discarded limestone from the Neferirkare pyramid The core is of three layers, bound with mortar made of clay. The casing was high quality white limestone, and it once had a dark gray granite pyramidion. The entrance to the pyramid is near ground level in the middle of the north wall. The initial corridor, made from small blocks of fine white limestone, first descends, and then becomes level leading slightly to the east and was terminated by a simple stone barrier just prior to the burial chamber. The burial chamber is also line with white limestone, but with larger blocks serving as its flat ceiling.
THE PYRAMID OF DJEDEFRE Djedefre, son of Khufu, chose to build his pyramid 5 miles north of Giza at a site now called Abu Roash. From this vantage point there is a clear view of the pyramids of Giza. It is not known whether or not this pyramid was unfinished, or quarried away, but little remains of the superstructure of the pyramid. Estimates place its original base at about 380 feet, and casing stones have indicated a possible steep angle of 60 degrees.
THE PYRAMID OF TETI The pyramid of Teti measured 78.5 metres to a side. With its slope of 53°7'48" it rose to a height of 52.5 metres. The core masonry was made of accreted blocks of stone, encased in fine limestone. While some of the blocks of the outer casing are still in place on the East side of the pyramid, the rest has been carried away over the centuries by stone-robbers, causing the core masonry to be exposed and crumble down into the rounded mound of stones seen today.
