Pyramids of ancient Egypt

Introduction:

The ancient Egyptians built pyramids as tombs for the kings and the queens. The first pyramid to be built was the step pyramid which was built in the old kingdom. There are more than eighty pyramids in Egypt. The most famous pyramids are the three pyramids at Giza.

Step pyramid:

It is the earliest form of the pyramid. It was built in the old kingdom, during the 3^rd dynasty. King Djoser was the one who constructed that pyramid at Saqqara. The step pyramid consists of several steps. It started as a mastaba. But Imhotep who was the step pyramid's architect expanded the mastaba, and then topped it with six smaller mastabas.

Pyramid of Meidum:

It is five miles south of Saqqara. It was built during the 4^th dynasty by king Snefru. That pyramid has suffered a collapse sometime in its history. It was built as a step pyramid and then filled in with stone and covered with a limestone casing. Its entrance is on the north face.

Bent pyramid:

King Snefru built that pyramid. It is located at Dahshur. It is one of the three pyramids that Snefru built. It was called the bent pyramid because it started at one angle, and then suddenly changes to a more gradual angle. It is believed that Snefru was buried in it, but his body wasn't found. It has two entrances one in the middle of the northern side and the other on the western side. And in the south side there is a smaller subsidiary pyramid.

Red pyramid:

King Snefru constructed that pyramid at Dahshur. It is located two and half miles to the north of the bent pyramid. It is also known as the "Shining pyramid". It is the first true pyramid. It was called the red pyramid because of the reddish or pinkish limestone, used in its casing stones. Its entrance is on the northern side.

Great pyramid:

It was built in the middle kingdom. The king Khufu who was Snefru's son built that pyramid. It is located in the desert west of Giza. It rises about 135m. It covers over 13 acres. About 2 million blocks were used to build this pyramid. The encasing marble which covered the outside of the pyramid was removed over time. Its entrance is on the north side. The great pyramid is believed to have been built over 20 year period.

Pyramid of Djedefre:

Djedefre is the son of Khufu. He built this pyramid 5 miles north west of Giza, at a place called now Abu Roash. It isn't known if this pyramid was unfinished or quarried away but little remains of the pyramid. Today only a heap of stones are left of that pyramid. Its original height is about 223 feet. Its base length is about 353 feet.

Pyramid of Khafre:

Khafre is Khufu's son. He built that pyramid in the 4^th dynasty. It is located at Giza. He built it at a higher ground to give the illusion that his pyramid is taller than the Great pyramid. But in fact that pyramid is slightly smaller than the Great pyramid. There are two entrances that lead to the pyramid which are placed one above the other. The upper entrance which is used to enter the pyramid today is about 50 feet above the ground. Its original height is about 478.3 feet. Its base length is about 717.5 feet.

Pyramid of Menkaure:

Menkaure is Khafre's son. He built that pyramid at Giza. It is the smallest pyramid of the three pyramids at Giza. The pyramid wasn't complete when Menkaure died. But Shepseskaf who is Menkaure's heir completed it. It stands 66.5 high. There is an entrance at the north face. To the east of the pyramid is the mortuary temple.

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