Ancient pyramids of Egypt: history, description and secrets. Report on the topic: “Egyptian pyramids The most important information about temples and pyramids
The pyramids are undoubtedly silent witnesses to the millennia-long history of mankind. What makes them unique structures for tourists and mythologists is the fact that they were built in a period when construction equipment and advanced technologies did not exist. They are interesting both from the point of view of architecture and culture of that period of human history. We offer an overview of the main pyramids of the Ancient World, revealing the secrets and traditions of that time.
Majestic structures in different parts of the world have been built in a variety of complex shapes, types and sizes due to various reasons. In the history of Egypt and China, pyramids played the role of burial chambers and monuments dedicated to emperors and leaders of the country. The pyramids of ancient American tribes and Hindus were built as religious buildings and tombs. Almost each is unique, has its place in history and is a popular tourist attraction.
Listed among the Seven Wonders of the World, the majestic Pyramid of Giza is the oldest structure on the planet. Everyone knows that the Cheops pyramid is a tomb built in 2560 BC. There are many scientific theories regarding the principles and methods of its construction. There are three rooms inside the structure, the tomb is located in the lowest of them. The other two are called the halls of the pharaoh and queen. It is the only Egyptian pyramid to contain both descending and ascending galleries.
Nubia is located in the Nile Plain, so the structures that were found here are known as the Pyramids of Nubia. They were built by the kings of the ancient Kushite dynasty. A total of 255 pyramids were found, including el-Kurra, Nuri, and Meroe. These are examples of stepped structures ranging from 6 to 30 meters in height, the stone blocks of which were located horizontally. Many of them were places of worship.
The Pyramids of Helliniko are the remains of the mythological pyramids of Helliniko, ancient city Greece. At that time they were considered military installations. Although there is a theory that they were built in honor of those killed in battle. The pyramid is entirely stone, not polished. They date back to the Mycenaean era (1600 – 1000 BC).
The Pyramids of Guimar are a complex of 6 structures located in the Chacon area on Canary Islands. They have a rectangular shape, have terraces and are built from volcanic stones, without the use of mortars. There were 9 pyramids in total, but only 6 of them have survived to this day. The appearance of terraces during the construction of the pyramids testifies to the agricultural culture of that period, which is reflected in the architecture.
The pyramid, located in the former Indian city of Cholula, Mexico, is known as Tlachihualtepetl and is considered a man-made mountain. The majestic structure was a temple complex dedicated to the god Quetzalcoatl. By its type, the architecture of the pyramid belongs to the Teotihuacan style.
This is one of the largest structures of the Yucatan Peninsula and the most large building Teotihuacan. Stone pyramid located in the center of a large religious complex, on Death Avenue, between the Pyramid of the Moon and Quidadela, in the shadow majestic mountain Cerro Gordo. It is valuable not only for its antiquity or architecture, but also for its location to the northwest, relative to sunset. At the top of the pyramid there was a temple.
This is a pyramid Ancient Rome. It is located near the Protestant cemetery and St. Paul's Gate. The pyramid, the tomb of Gaius Cestius, a member of one of the priestly colleges of Epulona, dates back to 18-12 AD. BC. As one of the greatest buildings in Rome, it was included in the fortification complex of the city.
In South India, archaeologists have discovered a number of pyramids, which today are places of worship for pilgrims. Srirangam, built in honor of god Ranganatha, is the most... big temple India and is located in the Tiruchirappalli district of Tamil Nadu. There are 21 gopuras in the stepped temple. Another majestic structure in India is the Brihadishwar Temple, a structure built of granite and listed as a historical and cultural heritage UNESCO.
However, modern architects decided that pyramids could be built not only for pharaohs or kings, but also for ordinary mortals, which is why they proposed
general information
Among the Egyptian pyramids there are huge and smaller ones, with a smooth surface and stepped ones, very well preserved and reminiscent of a pile of ruins. They can be observed in Saqqara and Memphis, Hawar and Upper Egypt, Medum and Abusir, El Lahun and Abu Rawash. However, the main tourist sites Only a few are considered, namely the pyramids in Giza, a suburb of the Egyptian capital, erected, as is commonly believed, during the reign of the IV-VI dynasties of the pharaohs, which occurred in the XXVI-XXIII centuries BC. e.
Looking at these grandiose creations of human hands, you can’t help but wonder: how much effort and time was spent on the construction of such structures that seem, at least in their scale, to be absolutely useless. Either the pharaohs who ruled 45 centuries ago thereby wanted to emphasize their own divinity and the greatness of their era, or these buildings contain some hidden meaning that is still inaccessible to our understanding. But it is difficult to comprehend it, because the secrets are securely hidden under a layer of millennia, and we have no choice but to make guesses and versions, hoping that sooner or later everything secret will definitely become clear...
Secrets of the Egyptian pyramids
The Egyptian pyramids are shrouded in an aura of myths and secrets, and with the passage of time and the development of science, there are still more questions than answers. As the proverb says: “Everything in the world is afraid of time, but time itself is afraid of the pyramids.” Interest is also fueled by various theories about the appearance of these majestic monuments. Lovers of the mystical consider pyramids to be powerful sources of energy and believe that the pharaohs spent time in them not only after death, but also during life, in order to draw strength. There are also completely incredible ideas: for example, some believe that the Egyptian pyramids were built by aliens, and others that the blocks were moved by people who owned a magic crystal. Let's look at the generally accepted and most likely scenario.
Religion in life Ancient Egypt occupied a dominant position. It shaped both the worldview of the people and their entire culture. Death was perceived only as a transition to another world, so preparation for it had to take place in advance, even during earthly life. However, the privilege of remaining “immortal” was, as it was believed, only with the pharaoh and his family members. And he, at his discretion, could bestow it on those around him. Commoners were deprived of the right to an afterlife, with the exception of servants and slaves, whom the powerful ruler “took” with him. Nothing should have interfered with the comfortable “existence” of a high-ranking deceased, so he was provided with everything necessary - food supplies, household utensils, weapons, servants.
At first, rulers were buried in special “afterlife houses”, and in order for the pharaoh’s body to be preserved for centuries, it was embalmed. These early funerary buildings - mastabas - appeared during the period of the first dynasties. They consisted of an underground burial chamber and an above-ground part in the form of a stone structure, where prayer rooms were equipped and burial goods were located. In cross-section, these tombs resembled a trapezoid. They were built in Abydos, Nagadea, and Upper Egypt. The main necropolis of the then capital of the first dynasties - the city of Memphis - was located in Saqqara.
Actually, pyramid-shaped tombs began to be built about 5 thousand years ago. The initiator of their construction was Pharaoh Djoser (or Necherikhet), the first in the III dynasty of the Old Kingdom. The construction of the necropolis named after this ruler was led by the supreme dignitary and famous architect of his time, Imhotep, who was almost equated to a deity. If we discard all the fantastic versions about the contacts of the then rulers with aliens and proceed from the fact that these structures were built by people on their own, then the scale of the work and their labor intensity cannot but impress. Experts tried to establish their chronology and nature, and this is the results they came to. Since the pyramids are made of stone blocks, the question immediately arose: where and how were they mined? It turned out to be in the rocks...
Having marked out a shape in the rock and hollowed out grooves, they inserted dry trees into them and watered them with water. They expanded from moisture and created cracks in the rock, facilitating the process of extracting blocks. Then they were immediately processed on the spot with tools and, having been given the desired shape, were sent by river to the construction site. But how did the Egyptians lift these heavy masses to the top? First, they were loaded onto wooden sleds and pulled along gentle embankments. By modern standards, such technologies look backward. However, the quality of work is top level! The megaliths are so closely adjacent to each other that there are practically no discrepancies.
The Pyramid of Djoser, located in Saqqara, is considered the very first pyramid in Egypt and the oldest surviving such large stone structure in the world (its size is 125 by 115 meters with a height of 62 meters). It was built in 2670 BC. e. and has the appearance of a structure with six huge tiled steps. Because of such an unusual shape, in those distant times it was called a “false pyramid.” The pyramid of Djoser began to attract the attention of travelers since the Middle Ages, and this interest has not dried up to this day.
The architect did not initially plan to build such a pyramid. The tomb became stepped during construction. The presence of steps clearly reveals a symbolic meaning: it was along them that the deceased pharaoh had to ascend to heaven. This structure also differed from previous necropolises in that it was built of stone rather than brick. And one more feature: the presence of a very wide and deep vertical shaft, covered with a dome on top. There is nothing like this in the pyramids built later. Of no less interest to archaeologists and Egyptologists are the marble fragments under the sarcophagus, on which carved images resembling stars can be seen. These are clearly fragments of some unknown structure, but no one knows which one.
The pyramid of Djoser was not intended only for himself, and this also differs from other similar structures. The ruler and members of his family were buried in the burial chambers, 12 in total. Archaeologists have discovered the mummy of an 8-9-year-old boy, apparently a son. But the body of the pharaoh himself could not be found. Perhaps the mummified heel found here belonged to him. Even in ancient times, it is believed that robbers entered the tomb, probably kidnapping its dead “owner.”
However, the version of the robbery does not seem so clear. When examining the internal galleries, gold jewelry, porphyry bowls, clay and stone jugs and other valuables were discovered. Why didn't the thieves take away all this wealth? Historians were also interested in the seals affixed to small clay vessels. The name “Sekemhet” was inscribed on them, translated as “mighty in body.” It clearly belonged to an unknown pharaoh of one of the powerful dynasties. Everything indicated that in ancient times the construction of another pyramid had begun here, but for some reason it was not completed. They even discovered an empty sarcophagus, the internal state of which led to the conclusion that no one was buried here...
As for the Pyramid of Djoser itself, the attraction has been well preserved to this day and is open to tourists. The entrance to it, like to other buildings on the territory, is located on the north side. A tunnel equipped with columns leads inside. The northern temple, the location of which is clear from the name itself, forms a single structure with the pyramid. architectural ensemble. Funeral services were held there and sacrifices were made in the name of the pharaoh.
Egyptian pyramids in Giza
The most famous among all Egyptian pyramids use the so-called great pyramids located in Giza, the third largest city in the modern Arab Republic of Egypt, with a population of almost 3 million people. The metropolis spreads over west bank Nile, about 20 km from Cairo and is a virtual suburb of the capital.
The Great Pyramids of Giza are today the most popular ancient monuments in the country. Over the years, visiting them has become almost a ritual for tourists. Fly to Egypt and not see these majestic buildings with your own eyes? This is impossible to imagine! Many travelers even consider this place to be spiritual, connected to space, and visiting here becomes akin to some kind of healing. Recent studies have shown that the builders of the necropolises surprisingly accurately directed them to the belt of the constellation Orion, which has an as yet unsolved meaning. It is also interesting that their edges are oriented to the sides of the sun, and this is done with the same precision.
The Egyptian pyramids at Giza are undoubtedly an extremely impressive sight. Their sandstone facades reflect the sunlight: they are pink in the morning, golden in the afternoon and turn dark purple at dusk. It is impossible not to admire the feat of engineering and organization that resulted in millions of stone blocks being transported from one place to another and precisely stacked on top of each other without power plants and lifting equipment.
The complex of the great pyramids consists of the tombs of three ancient rulers - Cheops, Khafre and Mikerin. Unlike the previous “houses after life” (macabs), these necropolises have a strict pyramidal shape. Moreover, the first of them is the only one of the seven wonders of the world that has survived to this day.
Pyramid of Cheops (Khufu)
You can talk about the pyramid of Cheops (or Khufu) for a long time and a lot, but the story in any case will be incomplete, because it continues to keep many unsolved secrets. One of them is the orientation towards the North Pole exactly along the meridian: with its top, the monumental structure “looks” at the North Star. It is amazing how ancient architects could make such accurate calculations without having modern astronomical instruments in their hands. This accuracy has even less error than the famous Paris Observatory.
Cheops, the second pharaoh of the fourth dynasty of Ancient Egypt, who reigned for 27 years, has the reputation of a cruel and despotic ruler. He literally exhausted the resources of his kingdom, directing them to the construction of the pyramid. He was also merciless to his people, forcing them to do back-breaking work to build their posthumous “dwelling.” Great Pyramid was built in three stages, as evidenced by the corresponding number of cameras. The first, its area is 8 by 14 meters, was carved deep into the rock, the second (5.7 x 5.2 m) - under the top of the pyramid. The third chamber - it is the only one of them completed - became the tomb of the pharaoh. Special mention should be made about her. It stretches 10.4 m from west to east, and 5.2 m from south to north. The granite slabs that line the room fit together flawlessly. Nine monolithic blocks form the ceiling, their total weight is 400 tons.
Each cell has its own “hallway”, connected to neighboring corridors-shafts. At first, the entrance to the tomb was on the north side and was located above the base at a height of 25 meters. Currently, you can enter the pyramid from another place, and this entrance is not so high. The builders could hardly have imagined that after several thousand years their creation would become a tourist attraction, so the 40-meter corridor was made not only narrow, but also low. Numerous tourists have to cross it crouching down. The corridor ends with a wooden staircase. It leads to the same low room, which is the center of the entire necropolis.
The height of the Cheops pyramid is more than 146 meters - this is the “height” of a 50-story skyscraper. After the Great Chinese wall it is precisely this that is the largest structure ever erected in human history. The attraction is not “alone”; there are several other buildings around it. Of these, only three companion pyramids and the ruins of a mortuary temple have survived to this day. It is obvious that no less effort was put into their construction. According to the most common version, the companion pyramids were intended for the wives of the ruler.
Pyramid of Khafre (Khafre)
A pharaoh named Khafre was either the son or brother of Cheops and reigned after him. His pyramid, located nearby, is somewhat smaller, however, at first glance, it is perceived as more significant. And all because it stands on some elevation. The Pyramid of Khafre was found during archaeological excavations in 1860. The tomb of this ancient Egyptian ruler is “guarded” by the famous Sphinx, which looks like a lion lying on the sand, whose face may have been given the features of Khafre himself. Being the oldest monumental sculpture preserved on our planet (its length is 72 m, height is 20 m), it is interesting in itself. Egyptologists are inclined to think that the tombs of the two pharaohs, together with the sphinx, constitute a single burial complex. Slaves, it is believed, were not involved in the construction of this pyramid: free workers were hired for this purpose...
Top of Khafre's pyramidPyramid of Mikerin (Menkaure)
And finally, the Pyramid of Mikerin is the third in the complex of great monuments of Giza. It is also known as the Pyramid of Menkaure, named after the fifth pharaoh of the fourth ancient Egyptian dynasty. Little is known about this ruler - only that he was the son of Cheops (at least, this is what the ancient Greek historian Herodotus claimed). This necropolis is called the “younger brother” of the two above-mentioned tombs: it was built later than the others and the lowest of them, its height is just over 65 meters. Such modest sizes indicate the decline of the ancient kingdom and the lack of resources necessary for construction.
However, the monumentality of the structure as such did not suffer from this. For example, the weight of one of the blocks used in the construction of the mortuary temple exceeds 200 tons, making it the heaviest on the Giza plateau. Just imagine what superhuman efforts had to be made to hoist this colossus into place. And the majestic statue of the pharaoh himself, seated inside the temple! It is one of the largest sculptures that personify that mysterious era... The pyramid of Mykerinus, as the smallest one, could have begun the destruction of the entire historical and architectural complex in Giza, conceived by Sultan al-Malik al-Aziza, who ruled at the end of the 12th century. Work to dismantle the necropolis lasted about a year, but the practical result was minimal. The Sultan was ultimately forced to curtail them, since his, frankly speaking, stupid and unjustified undertaking entailed exorbitant expenses.
Sphinx
At the base of the sacred causeway that once connected the pyramid of Khafre with the Nile, there is the Sphinx - mysterious sculpture with the head of Khafre attached to a lion's body. In Egyptian mythology, sphinxes were guardian deities, and this sculpture is a protective monument 73 m long and 20 m high. After the death of the pharaoh, the body of the Sphinx was gradually covered by the desert sands. Thutmose IV believed that the statue spoke to him and told him that he would become pharaoh if he cleared the sand, which he hastened to do. Since then, the ancient Egyptians believed that the monument had prophetic powers.
Solar Boat Museum
There is a museum behind the Cheops pyramid Solar boat, where a beautifully restored cedar boat is kept, on which dead body The pharaoh was transported from the east to the west bank of the Nile.
Useful information for tourists
The Great Pyramid complex of Giza is open to the public from 8:00 to 17:00 daily. The exceptions are the winter months (opening hours until 16:30) and the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, when access closes at 15:00.
Some travelers believe that if the pyramids are located under open air and are not a museum in the literal sense of the word, then here you can feel free to climb and climb onto these structures. Remember: doing this is strictly prohibited - in the interests of your own safety!
Before you agree to enter the pyramids, objectively assess your psychological state and physical health. People who have a fear of closed spaces (claustrophobia) should skip this part of the tour. Due to the fact that the inside of the tombs is usually dry, hot and a little dusty, it is not recommended for asthmatics, hypertensive patients and those suffering from other diseases of the cardiovascular and nervous system to enter here.
How much will an excursion to the area of the Egyptian pyramids cost a tourist? Cost has several components. Admission ticket it will cost you 60 Egyptian pounds, which is equivalent to about 8 euros. Do you want to go to the Cheops pyramid? For this you will have to pay 100 pounds or 13 euros. A tour from the inside of the Pyramid of Khafre is much cheaper - £20 or €2.60.
A visit to the Solar Boat Museum, which is located south of the pyramid Cheops (40 pounds or 5 euros). Photography is allowed in the pyramid area, but you will have to pay 1 euro for the right to take pictures. Visiting other pyramids in Giza - for example, the mother and wife of Pharaoh Khafre - is not paid.
Many tourists admit that, after getting to know the main attractions, they leave it amazing place, literally imbued with the spirit of antiquity, I don’t want it at all. In such cases, you can rent camels for leisurely walks. Their owners wait for clients right at the foot of the pyramids. They may charge an inflated price for their services. Don’t agree to it right away, bargain and you’ll get a discount.
- The Pyramid of Cheops is the only surviving wonder of the world.
- The pyramids took two centuries to build and were erected several at a time. Now, according to research by various scientists, their age ranges from 4 to 10 thousand years.
- In addition to precise mathematical proportions, pyramids have another feature in this area. The stone blocks are arranged in such a way that there are no gaps between them; even the thinnest blade will not fit through there.
- Each side of the pyramid is located in the direction of one side of the world.
- The Cheops Pyramid, the largest in the world, reaches a height of 146 meters and weighs more than six million tons.
- If you want to know how the Egyptian pyramids were created, you can learn interesting facts about construction from the pyramids themselves. Construction scenes are depicted on the walls of the passages. The edges of the pyramids are curved by one meter so that they can accumulate solar energy. Thanks to this, the pyramids could reach thousands of degrees and emit an incomprehensible hum from such heat.
- A perfectly straight foundation was made for the Cheops pyramid, so the edges differ from each other by only five centimeters.
- The first pyramid built dates back to 2670 BC. e. In appearance, it resembles several pyramids located next to each other. The architect created the type of masonry that helped achieve this effect.
- The Cheops Pyramid is made of 2.3 million blocks, perfectly aligned and matching each other.
- Structures similar to the Egyptian pyramids are also found in Sudan, where the tradition was later picked up.
- Archaeologists managed to find the village where the pyramid builders lived. A brewery and bakery were discovered there.
How to get there
Tourists from Russia and the CIS countries usually prefer to spend their holidays in Sharm el-Sheikh or Hurghada and often want to combine a holiday on the magnificent beaches with a visit to the pyramid complex in Giza. Since the resorts are located quite far from the named city, you can only get there as part of an excursion group. If you go by bus, you will have to spend 6 to 8 hours on the road. It's faster by plane: you'll get there in just 60 minutes. You can also get there by car with a driver. This is much more comfortable, but it will take a significant hit on your wallet.
Those who are on vacation in Cairo or are in the Egyptian capital on a business trip are in a more advantageous position. They can take the bus (routes no. 900 and 997) or the metro (yellow line no. 2, exit at Giza station). Alternatively, you can call a taxi or catch one in Tahrir Square. The trip will cost more than public transport, but you’ll get there faster, in just half an hour. You can go back and forth with the same car, but you will have to pay a little more.
You can get to Giza from the capital by taking a bus in the New Cairo area (aka Heliopolis), which follows one of two routes: No. 355 or No. 357. These comfortable vehicles, running every 20 minutes, are marked with the letters CTA, by which they are easy to recognize. The final stop is located just before the entrance to the pyramid zone, at the intersection.
The Egyptian pyramids are one of the greatest attractions in the world. They, according to archaeologists, are the tombs of pharaohs, members of their families and court nobles. This version is generally accepted and its confirmation is considered to be the presence of mummies inside. But is it? What secrets do these buildings keep? Who built them and how? For what? What's inside? You will find answers to your questions in this article.
Pyramids in Egypt: why were they built?
During the period of the Old Kingdom (c. 2707 - 2150 BC, III-VI dynasties), structures began to be created for burials, symbolizing sacred mountain- the desire of humanity to reach heaven.
Pink Pyramid in Dahshur. CC BY-SA 3.0, Link Scientists suggest that the Egyptians' belief in the ascension of the spirit to the gods is fundamental the purpose of their construction. In their opinion, even today, these structures represent man's dream of achieving Higher Consciousness. There are other opinions on this matter, which are given below. Some occult researchers of the secrets of the Egyptian pyramids spent the night in the inner chambers. They wrote books about their mystical experiences. Several theories try to explain the technology of their construction, but no one knows exactly how and why these famous buildings were built. architectural monuments. There are only versions and assumptions. One of the greatest mysteries: how did people move such massive stone blocks using primitive tools? The Egyptians left thousands of illustrations depicting daily life in the Old Kingdom. It is curious that none of them show their construction. But maybe these images are simply not for the eyes of modern man? Perhaps, looking at the drawings, we are not able to see their method of creating grandiose structures, because it radically different from modern ideas? Here's what information you can find about this on the Internet. But there is an architect who created a project according to which the Cheops pyramid can be built today. Read about it in the article Construction of the Cheops pyramid on the Architecture channel. Director Florence Tran's film Unraveling the Mystery of the Cheops Pyramid features this interesting version by Jean-Pierre Houdin (Jean-Pierre). His father, a former civil engineer, came up with the idea of building using an internal ramp. The evidence presented is quite convincing. See a detailed study conducted by a Frenchman. Maybe he solved the mystery of the construction of the Egyptian pyramids? The earliest known pyramidal structures are found at Saqqara, northwest of Memphis. The oldest of them is the Pyramid of Djoser, built approximately in the period 2630 - 2611. BC. during the third dynasty, the first adviser to the king, architect and builder, high priest of Ra in Heliopolis, poet and thinker Imhotep. He is considered the founder of this architectural form, proposing to build three more smaller ones above the main one. His tomb has not yet been identified. Therefore, there is no mummy of Imhotep. Do you think the mystery of the Cheops pyramid has been solved? Write your thoughts in the comments.
“Secrets of the Pyramids (The Secret of Orion)” by R. Bauval, E. Gilbert offers a version about the stellar orientation of the buildings.
The American prophet and medium Edgar Cayce spoke about the significance of the pyramids for the lost civilization of Atlantis. Information is available on the Internet.Egyptian pyramids: about the secret of construction
Who was the architect of the first pyramid?
Where are the most famous Egyptian pyramids located?
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Most people simply know that the Egyptian pyramids are large, impressive structures built a long time ago in ancient Egypt. It is also a widely known fact that the pyramids served as monumental tombs in which the pharaohs, the rulers of ancient Egypt, were buried. However, in reality there are much more interesting things and little known facts, which many do not know about these spectacular structures. To expand your knowledge of the Egyptian pyramids, check out the twenty-five facts below that you may not know.
25. The three most famous Egyptian pyramids are those at the Giza Necropolis, but in fact approximately 140 pyramids have been discovered in the area of ancient Egypt.
24. The oldest Egyptian pyramid is considered to be the Pyramid of Djoser, which was built in the Saqqara Necropolis in the 27th century BC.
23. While the Pyramid of Djoser is considered the oldest, the Pyramid of Khufu (also known as the Great Pyramid of Giza) is the largest. The original height of the pyramid was 146.5 meters, and the current height is 138.8 meters.
22. Until the Lincoln Cathedral was built in England in 1311, the Great Pyramid of Giza held the title of the tallest man-made structure in the world. She held the record for at least 3,871 years!
21. The Great Pyramid of Giza is the oldest of the Seven Wonders Ancient World(Seven Wonders of the Ancient World) and the last one currently existing.
20. Estimates of the number of workers involved in the construction of the pyramids vary greatly, however, it is likely that at least 100,000 people built them.
19. The Pyramids of Giza are guarded Great Sphinx(Great Sphinx), the largest monolithic sculpture in the world. It is believed that the face of the sphinx was given a resemblance to the face of Pharaoh Khafra.
18. All Egyptian pyramids were built on the west bank of the Nile River, which is the site of sunset and was associated with the kingdom of the dead in Egyptian mythology.
17. The ancient Egyptians buried their noble citizens in pyramids with funeral gifts that ranged from household items to the most expensive items such as jewelry. They believed that the dead would use them in the afterlife.
16. The earliest known architect of the pyramids was Imhotep, an ancient Egyptian polymath, engineer and physician. He is considered the author of the first major pyramid - the Pyramid of Djoser.
15. While experts generally agree that the pyramids were built from huge stones, carved with copper chisels in quarries, the methods used to move and stack them are still the subject of heated debate and speculation.
14. Another relatively obvious fact is that the methods used to build the pyramids evolved over time. Pyramids more late period built differently from the earliest pyramids.
13. After the end of the period of pyramid construction in Ancient Egypt, an outbreak of pyramid construction began in the territory of modern Sudan.
12. In the 12th century, an attempt was made to destroy the pyramids of Giza. Al-Aziz, the Kurdish ruler and second Ayyubid Sultan of Egypt, attempted to demolish them, but had to give up because the task was too large-scale. However, he managed to damage Menkaure's Pyramid, where his attempts left a vertical gaping hole in its northern slope.
11. The three pyramids of Giza are precisely aligned with the Constellation of Orion, which may well have been the builders' intention, since the stars of Orion were associated with Osiris, the god of rebirth and the underworld in ancient Egyptian mythology.
10. According to estimates, the Great Pyramid of Giza consists of 2,300,000 stone blocks that weigh from 2 to 30 tons, and some of them even weigh more than 50 tons.
9. The pyramids were originally covered with casing stones made of well-polished white limestone. These stones reflected the light of the sun and made the pyramids shine like precious stones.
8. When the casing stones covered the pyramids, they could be seen from the mountains in Israel and maybe even from the moon.
7. Despite the wild heat around the pyramids, the temperature in the pyramids themselves actually remains relatively constant and stays around 20 degrees Celsius.
6. It is quite difficult to calculate exactly, but the weight of the Cheops Pyramid may well be approximately 6 million tons.
5. The Pyramid of Cheops was built facing north. In fact, it is the most carefully north-aligned structure in the world. Despite the fact that it was built thousands of years ago, it still faces north, with only a slight error. However, the error occurred because the North Pole is gradually shifting, meaning that the pyramid was once pointing due north.
4. On average, it took 200 years to build each pyramid. This means that often several pyramids were built at once, rather than just one.
3. One of the reasons why the pyramids are so well preserved is the unique cement mortar used in them. It is stronger than real stone, but we still don't know how they prepared it.
There are fewer and fewer unsolved mysteries on our planet every year. Constant improvement of technology, collaboration of scientists from various fields of science reveals to us the secrets and mysteries of history. But the secrets of the pyramids still defy understanding - all discoveries give scientists only tentative answers to many questions. Who built the Egyptian pyramids, what was the construction technology, is there a curse of the pharaohs - these and many other questions still remain without an exact answer.
Description of the Egyptian pyramids
Archaeologists talk about 118 pyramids in Egypt, partially or completely preserved to this day. Their age ranges from 4 to 10 thousand years. One of them - Cheops - is the only surviving “miracle” from the “Seven Wonders of the World”. The complex called the “Great Pyramids of Giza”, which includes and, was also considered as a participant in the “New Seven Wonders of the World” competition, but was withdrawn from participation, since these majestic structures are actually a “wonder of the world” on the ancient list. 
These pyramids have become the most visited excursion sites in Egypt. They are perfectly preserved, which cannot be said about many other buildings - time has not been kind to them. Yes and local residents contributed to the destruction of the majestic necropolises by removing the cladding and breaking out the stones from the walls to build their houses. 
Egyptian pyramids were built by pharaohs who ruled from the 27th century BC. e. and later. They were intended for the repose of rulers. The enormous scale of the tombs (some reaching almost 150 m in height) was supposed to testify to the greatness of the buried pharaohs; things that the ruler loved during his life and that would be useful to him in the afterlife were also placed here. 
For construction, stone blocks of various sizes were used, which were hollowed out of the rocks, and later brick began to serve as material for the walls. The stone blocks were ground and adjusted so that a knife blade could not slip between them. The blocks were stacked on top of each other with an offset of several centimeters, which formed a stepped surface of the structure. Almost all Egyptian pyramids have a square base, the sides of which are oriented strictly to the cardinal points. 
Since the pyramids performed the same function, that is, they served as the burial place of the pharaohs, their structure and decoration are similar inside. The main component is the burial hall, where the sarcophagus of the ruler was installed. The entrance was not located at ground level, but several meters higher, and was masked with facing slabs. Stairs and passages-corridors led from the entrance to the inner hall, which sometimes narrowed so much that they could only be walked on squatting or crawling. 
In most necropolises, burial halls (chambers) are located below ground level. Ventilation was carried out through narrow shaft-channels that penetrated the walls. Rock paintings and ancient religious texts are found on the walls of many pyramids - in fact, from them scientists draw some of the information about the construction and owners of burials. 
The main mysteries of the pyramids
The list of unsolved mysteries begins with the shape of the necropolises. Why was the pyramid shape chosen, which is translated from Greek as “polyhedron”? Why were the edges located clearly in the cardinal directions? How huge stone blocks were moved from the excavation site and how they were lifted greater height? Were the buildings built by aliens or people in possession of a magic crystal? 
Scientists even argue over the question of who built such tall monumental structures that stood for thousands of years. Some believe that they were built by slaves, who died by the hundreds of thousands during the construction of each. However, new discoveries by archaeologists and anthropologists convince us that the builders were free people who received good food And medical care. They made such conclusions based on the composition of the bones, the structure of the skeletons and the treated injuries of the buried builders. 
Mystical coincidences were attributed to all deaths and deaths of people involved in the exploration of the Egyptian pyramids, which provoked rumors and talk about the curse of the pharaohs. There is no scientific evidence for this. Perhaps the rumors were started to scare away thieves and looters who wanted to find valuables and jewelry in the graves. 
To the mysterious interesting facts The short time frame for the construction of the Egyptian pyramids can be attributed to this. According to calculations, large necropolises with that level of technology should have been built in no less than a century. How, for example, was the Cheops pyramid built in just 20 years? 
Great Pyramids
This is the name of the burial complex near the city of Giza, consisting of three great pyramids, a huge statue of the Sphinx and small satellite pyramids, probably intended for the wives of rulers. 
The original height of the Cheops pyramid was 146 m, the side length was 230 m. It was built in 20 years in the 26th century BC. e. The largest of Egypt's landmarks has not one, but three burial chambers. One of them is below ground level, and two are above the base line. Intertwining corridors lead to the burial chambers. Along them you can go to the chamber of the pharaoh (king), to the queen's chamber and to the lower hall. The Pharaoh's Chamber is a chamber made of pink granite, measuring 10x5 m. It contains a granite sarcophagus without a lid. Not a single report by scientists contained information about the mummies found, so it is unknown whether Cheops was buried here. By the way, the mummy of Cheops was not found in other tombs. 
It still remains a mystery whether the Cheops pyramid was used for its intended purpose, and if so, then apparently it was plundered by looters in past centuries. The name of the ruler, by whose order and design this tomb was built, was learned from the drawings and hieroglyphs above the burial chamber. All other Egyptian pyramids, with the exception of Djoser, have a simpler engineering design. 
Two other necropolises in Giza, built for the heirs of Cheops, are somewhat more modest in size:
Tourists travel to Giza from all over Egypt, because this city is actually a suburb of Cairo, and all transport interchanges lead to it. Travelers from Russia usually travel to Giza in excursion groups from Sharm el-Sheikh and Hurghada. The trip is long, 6-8 hours one way, so the excursion usually lasts 2 days. 
Great structures can only be visited in work time, usually until 5 p.m., in the month of Ramadan - until 3 p.m. It is not recommended for asthmatics, as well as people suffering from claustrophobia, nervous and cardiovascular diseases, to enter inside. You should definitely take it with you on your excursion drinking water and hats. The excursion fee consists of several parts:
- Entrance to the complex.
- Entrance inside the pyramid of Cheops or Khafre.
- Entrance to the Museum of the Solar Boat, on which the body of the pharaoh was transported across the Nile.
With the Egyptian pyramids in the background, many people like to take photos while sitting on camels. You can bargain with camel owners.
Pyramid of Djoser
The first pyramid in the world is located in Saqqara, near Memphis - former capital Ancient Egypt. Today, the pyramid of Djoser is not as attractive to tourists as the necropolis of Cheops, but at one time it was the largest in the country and the most complex in terms of engineering design. 
The funeral complex included chapels, courtyards, and storage facilities. The six-step pyramid itself does not have a square base, but a rectangular one, with sides 125x110 m. The height of the structure itself is 60 m, inside it there are 12 burial chambers, where Djoser himself and members of his family were supposedly buried. The pharaoh's mummy was not found during excavations. The entire territory of the complex, 15 hectares in size, was surrounded by a 10 m high stone wall. Currently, part of the wall and other buildings have been restored, and the pyramid, which is approximately 4700 years old, has been preserved quite well.
