Ancient Egyptian Pyramids

Egyptian Pyramids had always remained mysterious from the time of their discovery. The findings from many Egyptian sites help us understand culture and civilization. Egyptian history is closely associated with its large giant pyramids. However, these pyramids were not built overnight. It took many years, and a large workforce was involved in Pyramid making. According to archaeological sources, the great Giza pyramid took 20 years its construct. We need to understand that these pyramids minimum dates back to 4000 B.C. In this context, the process involved in pyramid making, the technology, and the resources used in the construction are still incomplete. Egyptology studies and researches are still active to clear all the obscurity prevailing in Egyptian history. Now, let's dig into some facts and exciting aspects of the Egyptian pyramids.

Origin and Development

When were the Pyramids built?

Before we look into the origin of pyramids, Let us understand why pyramids are made. The pyramids are a structure that is a tribute to the Pharaoh or the king after his death. The body was kept in these pyramids, and the Egyptian people had a strong belief in the afterlife concept. The earliest trace of the pyramid was built for King Djoser, dating back to 2630 BC, found in Saqqara. However, it is not a fully developed pyramid that makes in six stages and is known as a step pyramid. Before the step type pyramids, another type existed known as ‘mastabas.’ These are the small flat-roofed structures in a rectangular shape. Indeed, these mastabas can be considered the prototype of Pyramids.

The step pyramid of king Djoser was not small in size. It had a height of 62 meters and consisted of courtyards, temples, and shrines. After king Djoser’s reign, many steps were constructed and developed, but during King Sneferu, the concept of sloping slide originated and evolved into the Red Pyramid in Dahshur. Furthermore, it can be considered the third developed stage of the pyramid. The ideal giant pyramid that we see is of this phase. The Giza pyramids are one of the most famous pyramids among them. It was constructed during the reign of King Khufu.

How many pyramids are in Egypt?

The pyramids are one of the most striking human-made structures. The Egyptian Pyramids were built by the pharaohs. Although the Great Pyramids of Giza is the most famous pyramid, there are many others in Egypt. Wikipedia lists 118 and 138 as the most frequently cited Egyptian pyramids. Others have cited them as having about eighty pyramids. They were the majority of them. They were built during the Old and Middle Kingdom periods to house the tombs and consorts of Egypt's pharaohs and other rulers. The pyramids were built to house the tombs of Egypt's pharaohs and their consorts from the Old Kingdom period until the end.

Saqqara Pyramid

The beginning of pyramids started in the third dynasty of Egyptian history. The first model of the pyramid was built for King Djoser in 2630 BC. Imhotep, the most excellent designer and architect, took over the construction of this construction. The Saqqara was raised to six layers, 62 meters tall. The pyramid was supposed to have three different built-in stages.

Dahshur Pyramids

The Bent Pyramid in Dahshur was built under king Sneferu in 2600BC. This was the early phase of full-fledged pyramids. The pyramid at Dahshur is called a Bent Pyramid because of its bent-like angle shape of 54 degrees. Many other structures can be found within the pyramid premises. The temple, tomb, court, northern mortuary temple, and so on are all associated with the pyramid premises.

The Red Pyramid of Snefru in Dahshur is the first true pyramid ever constructed.

Great Pyramid of Giza   

It is the most giant pyramid in Egypt, built-in 2528 BC for king Khufu. The dates of its construction are not precise, but it is known from the literary sources of Herodotus that it took 20 years to construct the pyramids. Furthermore, the 147 meters height of the Giza pyramid makes it the world's tallest pyramid.

In the pyramid complex of Giza, other than king Khufu's pyramid, there are few other pyramid structures associated with his relatives. A notable among is the pyramid the middle pyramid of Giza dedicated to Khufu’s son Khafre built in 2558 BC. The pyramid consists of king khafre’s tomb. Moreover, it has a height of 136 meters, making it the world’s second-largest pyramid. The most significant part of this pyramid is the statue of the Sphinx, 20 meters in height. However, the pyramid complex of Giza is the most important in Egypt.

Later Pyramids

Although pyramids were still being built in the fifth and sixth Dynasties, their quality and scale declined along with the wealth and power of the kings. The pyramid builders started to write written accounts of events during the reign of the king on the walls of the burial chamber and other parts of the interior of the pyramid in the Old Kingdom pyramids. These are known as pyramid texts, and they are the earliest religious compositions from ancient Egypt.

Pepy II (2178-2184 B.C.) was the last great pyramid builder. Pepy II (2278-2184 B.C.) was the last of the great pyramid builders. He was a young boy who ruled for 94years. The Old Kingdom was experiencing a decline in prosperity under his rule. As the power of non-royal administrative officers grew, the quasi-divine status of the pharaoh began to wane. Pepy II's pyramid at Saqqara, which he built around 30 years into his reign, was shorter than other pyramids of the Old Kingdom (172 feet). Pepy's death caused Egypt to enter a turbulent period known as the First Intermediate Period. The strong central government and kingdom were virtually destroyed. The 12th Dynasty's kings would later return to pyramid building in the Middle Kingdom phase. However, it was not on the same scale as the Great Pyramids.

The Construction of Pyramids

How were the Pyramids built?

It was always looked up with fascination that “who built pyramids”? Who were the people involved in the making of such giant pyramids? In seeking to answer such questions, people have developed some crazy and illogical theories, like alien involvement. However, the pyramids of Egypt were built by native local Egyptians.

According to the writings of Herodotus, the Great Giza Pyramid took 1,00,000 people and took 20 years its construct. But in the archaeological context of studies, the workforce was 20,000. Furthermore, the Papyrus findings from Wadi Al Jarf mention that 2.3 million blocks of limestone were used to construct the Giza pyramid.

Construction Technology

It is always fascinating to know how earlier people have built such huge pyramids. Significantly, the technology they might have used in the construction. Anything that simplifies a work process is technology. 

1)Well Planning: 

Without a proper plan and execution, building such a world wonder is impossible. The Papyrus findings of Wadia Al Jarf reveal the supervision of Ankhaf, the half-brother of king Khufu. Ankhaf was also the highest official in charge of Egypt. The literary sources also point out that the construction of the Giza Pyramid started in Khufu’s 27^th year of reign. 

2)Quarrying:

As a significant other step, the quarrying of stones needs to be made. The rocks were well quarried and transported to the construction places. The Papyri recordings found from Wadi Al Jarf mention the limestone quarrying. 

3)Transportation:

Another commonly asked question is the transportation of such large stone blocks. The Egyptians might have used large sleds that the workers could pull.

●      However, water might have reduced the friction between the sled and sand. According to studies held, it states that the wetting of deserts reduced the friction. Indeed, that only required a half-human effort for transportation.

●      But, once the stones reach the sites, how has it been lifted and pulled? This question is still unanswered, making the pyramid construction more mysterious. Maybe they had a higher technology, which we cannot reconstruct fully. According to some Egyptologists, they might have used ramps to pull the stones. However, the use and design of such ramps are obscure.

4)Well-Nourished Workers: 

Other than the raw materials available,power the human energy involved in making Pyramids is a boatload. To execute maximum energy from the laborers, the workers must be well-fed. According to archaeological research, an average of 4000 pounds of meat was provided for the laborers. However, the builders were well-nourished for their maximum utilization in pyramid construction.

Different Interpretations

Many scholars and researchers have interpreted the construction of pyramids. Many have come up with a different point of view. Let's look at some of the popular interpretations regarding pyramid construction.

1) Are slaves Involved in Pyramid Construction?

●      It is now Interpreted that the lower-class Egyptian people were more involved in making pyramids. The workers who died during the construction were well buried within the Pyramid premises. The enslaved people couldn’t receive such a burial privilege.

●      Moreover, the workers were well fed and treated nicely. The food supply evidence and the shelters where the workers stayed near the construction site clearly show that they were not enslaved.

2) After Life Concept and pyramid making

●      Looking deeper into the process involved in the pyramid. It has deep associations with people's psychology too. Egyptians believed in the concept of the afterlife; it is very evident from many sources.

●      Also, the people considered the Pharaoh or the king as the mediator or God. The kings like Khufu were supposed to be the God-man.

●      So the people involved in the construction of the work of the pyramid are considered as they are working for God himself. This might have created a psychological impact and may have boosted the efficiency of workers.

●      Moreover, people may have considered working for King gives them blessings and can avoid fear and consequences in the present life. However, the concept of the afterlife and the image of the king for the people had helped in the excellent efficiency of the pyramid building.

Many Unsolved Questions related to Pyramid Construction

Ongoing and intense studies are still going on in the area of Egyptology. Many scholars and researchers have come up with new evidence and interpretations. Many archaeological findings have helped in the reconstruction of Egyptian history. However, there are still many questions that remain unanswered.

1. The most curiously asked question is how the laborers might have managed to lift such heavyweight of stone blocks to the top. Ramps are claimed to be used to pull the stones. But beyond that question.
2. Setting an example: A similar question in a different structure context is also unsolved. The Brihadeshwars temple, located in the southern part of India ( Tanjavur, Tamilnadu), has almost identical unsolved questions. The temple is a part of UNESCO, dating back to the 11^th century AD. It has a height of 66 meters, having a capstone on top. The weight of the capstone is 80 tonnes. Though the researchers have come up with many assumptions, it is still not proven, and it remains unanswered how the people managed to lift huge tones at the top.
3.   The technology involved in pyramid construction is not fully known to us. Indeed, that is why the building of pyramids is often associated with aliens.
4.   The error correction in the construction of the Giza pyramid is almost zero. That makes it difficult for people to digest that before 4000 years, existed a fantastic technology. The precision in the making of the pyramid is just marvelous.

Latest facts and updates

✔     There was a misconception that enslaved people were used in the beginning, but that’s not right. The latest archaeological discovery interpreted that the construction workers were laborers from Egyptian lower strata. Unlike enslaved people, they were not mistreated. However, they were well treated; the burials made for the workers within the pyramid premises indicate that.

✔     The latest findings are discovering an inner structure in Khufu’s Giza pyramid. The muon radiography technique helped the researchers in their discoveries.

Pyramids around the world

Most people instantly think of pyramids when they think about Egypt. All of the world's most famous pyramids can be found in Egypt. Egypt is not the only market leader. These structures are found all around the globe, and some of them can even be found in America, Asia, and Europe. Here below is a list of the most important ones.

• Pyramid of Cestius, Italy
• Pyramid of Koh Ker, Cambodia
• Meroe Pyramids, Sudan
• Pyramid of Cholula, Mexico
• Pyramid of Caral, Peru
• Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor, China
• Pyramid of Hellinikon, Greece
• Pyramid of Guimar, Spain
• Mayan Pyramids of Tikal, Guatemala
• Pyramid of the Sun, Mexico

Conclusion

Egyptian civilization is one of the wealthiest and most advanced civilizations. From the very beginning of its discovery, researchers have made tremendous efforts to study Egyptian culture. However, Egyptian pyramids always have fascinated people. Such giant and beautiful structures are unique, exclusively found only in Egypt. Many aspects of these pyramids are not known. Indeed, that makes it more mysterious. Still, constant research and studies are being made on the Egyptian Pyramids. No matter how much time it goes, the fascination with Egyptian pyramids will remain the same. Let’s hope that new exciting facts and details about pyramids get revealed in the coming days.

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