 |
The Egyptian Pyramids - How and Why Were They Build?
Author: Amar Mahallati  | Posted: 23-07-2007 | Comments: 0 | Views: 16 | Rating: (52)  (?) 
The main driving force behind the construction of the pyramids was the desire for eternity. Everyone who is lucky enough to be able to visit the pyramids cannot help but be overawed by their sheer scale and the incredible, technological mastery used to build them.
The pyramids were constructed as tombs for kings and queens, as parts of funerary complexes, where there would also be shrines and temples. The priests would summon the spirits of the deceased royalty and make offerings to ensure their immortality would be realized.
Many pyramids were built between 2700 and 1640 BC and there are still plenty surviving today, although many were reduced to rubble.
An architect with the name of Imhotep was the first master pyramid builder. He began by making a tomb in the shape of a mastaba, which is a long, flat, rectangular building, made of sun-baked mud bricks. The walls stood about 12 feet high.
Imhotep used stone to build with and kept adding to the tomb until he had made a six layered, stepped pyramid, which stood 200 feet high. This was the Step Pyramid and Saggara, the first Egyptian monument to be made completely from hewn stone.
Imhotep was greatly respected and worshipped, after his death, as a god. His incredible achievement is still standing today at Memphis, south of Cairo.
Between 2600 and 2500 BC, the time of the fourth dynasty, the Egyptians had honed their great architectural abilities to allow them to build the most famous and spectacular pyramids, the ones at Giza.
These pyramids, known as Mycerinus, Khufu and Khafre, were of a true pyramidal form and originally were built with smooth, white, limestone faces. They went on to become one of the Seven Wonders of the World because of the awe they inspired.
The biggest Egyptian pyramid at Giza, built for and named after the pharaoh Khufu, is 481 feet tall. It contains about two and a half million stone blocks and the average weight of the blocks is two and a half tons. Some weight up to fifteen tons.
Most of the stone used to build these monuments was quarried limestone. A much harder stone, granite, was also used for building the internal passages and burial chambers. This was brought a distance of over five hundred miles by river from the quarries in Aswan, in the south. Ramps were then used to drag the stones into place.
The later Egyptian pyramids of Mycerinus (204 feet high) and Khafre (471 feet) stand next to Khufu.
Within the Khafre funerary complex is also the famous limestone statue of the Sphinx, which is the biggest and oldest image of a man-headed lion.
The Sphinx is a lot smaller than the huge pyramids but is still large. It stands 66 feet high and is 240 feet long. The statue was meant to represent a divine guardian and its head is thought to be Khafre himself.
There is an inscribed granite slab between the paws of the Sphinx. This slab describes a dream which a prince called Tuthmosis had while resting in its shade during a hunt for gazelle.
He dreamt the Sphinx approached him and promised him the whole kingdom if he would clear the sand from his body which made breathing very hard. Tuthmosis did this to oblige the Sphinx and even ordered the construction of mud brick walls around the monument to discourage further encroachment.
That the Sphinx kept his word is demonstrated by the 3000 year old slab placed by Tuthmosis IV, who was the new pharaoh of the land.
Rate this Article:
Current: 0 / 5 stars - 0 vote(s).
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/the-egyptian-pyramids-how-and-why-were-they-build-186149.html
|
Submitting articles has become one of the most popular means of generating quality backlinks and targeted traffic to your website. Join us today - It's Free! |
|
Related Articles
Top 10 Attractions In Africa
By: Francois L. Botha | 10/10/2006 | Business
Business Articles, learn about busines - An organization created with the objective of making a profit from the sale of goods or services.
The Exciting Pyramids of Egypt
By: David H. Urmann | 20/06/2008 | Travel
Travel related articles, including flight destinations, hotels and special tours.
Do Good Luck Symbols, Charms, Talismans, Amulets, Crystals & other Remedies really work ?
By: Janarrdhana Guptha | 17/04/2006 | Motivational
Understanding the Difference between MLM and Pyramids
By: Vincent Dupuy | 01/11/2006 | Affiliate Programs
Affiliate related Articles, Affiliate programs allow Web sites who provide links to your site to receive payments or reciprocal advertising in exchange for promoting your Web site.
The Magnificent Egypt
By: Paul Everton | 25/01/2007 | Travel
Travel related articles, including flight destinations, hotels and special tours.
Egypt Has Thousands Of Travellers Each Year
By: Douglas Scott | 22/06/2007 | Travel
Travel related articles, including flight destinations, hotels and special tours.
The Truth About An African Safari In Mexico
By: Dean Caporella | 12/12/2007 | Travel
Travel related articles, including flight destinations, hotels and special tours.
Crystal Therapy for Well Being
By: MANOJ SAJNANI | 11/04/2008 | Wellness
Got a Question? Ask.
Ask the community a question about this article:
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the parts of a pyramid?
By: brielle | 16-09-2008
what are the parts of a pyramid?
Chickens
By: NAtalieBova | 06-09-2008
Where did the chicken come from?
Ancient Cultures.. How Did They Do It?
By: 8ball | 12-09-2006
Can anyone attempt to explain how did ancient cultures succeeded in bulding towers, buildings and entire cities without any heavy machinery? Cultures like the Mayan tribe, the Inca tribe or the ancient Egyptians who built the pyramids..
Q&A Powered by: 
Latest Travel Articles
Drop by the Opera House, an Amazing Theatre in Manchester
By: Graciela Saltise | 10/10/2008
Manchester boasts a population of over 450,000 & has been a city since 1853. in a poll of british business leaders in 2006, the city was found to be the best place in the uk to establish a business. as well as this, Manchester held the 2002 commonwealth g
Look Up the Palace Theatre, a Wonderful Theatre in Manchester
By: Graciela Saltise | 10/10/2008
Manchester is a fabulous place for shop lovers, as it has a wide variety of stores to suit any budget. From designer shops such as harvey nicks & joseph, to high-street shops such as make over, you will find everything you need here.
Stop Over the Stockport Plaza, a Fantastic Theatre in Manchester
By: Graciela Saltise | 10/10/2008
Manchester is situated in the northwest of great britain was granted city status in 1853. A big city, it boasts a population of 452,000, which makes it the 14th most densely populated city in Europe.
Stop Over the Apollo Theatre, a Snazzy Theatre in Manchester
By: Karra Maxim | 10/10/2008
These include the museum of science & industry, which tells the story of Manchester's rich industrial past. The museum holds touring exhibitions too, and recently held the renowned bodyworlds 4 exhibit. The city's best art galleries include the richard
Sensational Tourism Guide to Great Lees, Manchester
By: Graciela Saltise | 10/10/2008
Manchester was the world's first industrialised city & it was at the heart of the industrial revolution. Indeed, it was the world's textile manufacturing centre & cotton-spinning during this time. as a result, it earned the nickname Cottonopolis during th
Discover the Wonders of the Worlds Largest Ship
By: Gordon Banks | 10/10/2008
How would you feel if you go on board with the worlds largest ship? In history, there is no single ship which was built that can be compared to the enormous size of the Freedom Ship. Come to picture the 25-story buildings you see in New York floating on the...
Alternative Holiday Ideas In Africa
By: John Mce | 10/10/2008
As well as the typical beach holidays and romantic getaways Africa and many other destinations have to offer, there are also several truly unique holiday experiences that Africa has to offer, find out more.
Winter Breaks in Lanzarote
By: Dan Williams | 10/10/2008
As summer changes to autumn, trees start to shed their leaves and daytime temperatures drop slightly, people fortunate enough to afford the time and cost turn their thoughts to a winter break. The winter break has long been popular with residents of the colder European countries who are within a...
More from Amar Mahallati
Restaurants in Cairo, Egypt - Where to Dine and Drink
By: Amar Mahallati | 25/10/2007 | Travel
Satisfying most edible desires, Cairo, Egypt is home to a never-ending source of eateries. Inexpensive food is always easily accessible everywhere about the streets, as restaurants and snack stalls are all over the place.
Cairo, Egypt by Night
By: Amar Mahallati | 25/10/2007 | Travel
Whether conventional or chic, there are a wide variety of places to have a drink in Cairo. Nearly every street in the city also supplies access to a traditional coffee house, which has served as a common male social gathering that dates back hundreds of years.
Red Sea Diving and Snorkeling - A Wonderful Experience
By: Amar Mahallati | 25/10/2007 | Travel
If you are a lover of the ocean and spend any time in Egypt, then you owe it to yourself to try the diving and snorkeling that are available in the Red Sea. Heading to the beach of the Red Sea is an absolute essential, as the pristine waters provide the ideal conditions for diving past times.
Forex Trading - What Are Fibonacci Numbers?
By: Amar Mahallati | 07/09/2007 | Finance
Do you know who Leonardo Fibonacci is? Leonardo Fibonacci was a mathematician who lived from about 1175 to 1250. He was well known in his day and contributed greatly to the world of mathematics. One of the things he did was that he introduced the decimal system to Europe. He also studied a sequence of numbers that are known today as the "Fibonacci numbers."
Forex Trading - What Makes Forex Traders Successful?
By: Amar Mahallati | 07/09/2007 | Finance
Forex trading can be a good fit, but it's not for everyone. You have to take many things into account, and of course, you always risk losing money. If this isn't for you, don't worry. A lot of people aren't cut out for it. However, if you are considering jumping into forex trading, read on. Following are some traits that successful traders share.
Forex Trading - What is Technical Analysis?
By: Amar Mahallati | 07/09/2007 | Finance
Simply put, technical analysis means that one studies price movement. You can use price charts in order to keep track of price movement history. By doing so, you can try to figure out which way prices will go, up or down, in future trends.
Commodities Trading - Trading Soybean
By: Amar Mahallati | 07/09/2007 | Non-Fiction
With perhaps the exceptions of resident vegetarians and commodities traders, soybeans don't have much allure for the general population. However, this bean is one of the most profitable trades commodities around, and it is also low risk.
Trading Commodities - Technical Analysis - Expectancy
By: Amar Mahallati | 03/09/2007 | Non-Fiction
Technical analysis is done by charting mathematical manipulations on such variables as price, volume and the like. Rather than looking at concrete factors such as weather and crop yields, you are basically charting mathematical formulations.
|
|
Travel 
