The Pyramid of Djoser The Pyramid of Steps (original height of 62.5 metres) During the 3rd Dynasty of the Old Kingdom, the Pyramid of Djoser (also known as the Step Pyramid) in the Saqqara necropolis was the first proto-pyramid-like building to form in Egypt. Its purpose is not clear but it may have been designed as a tomb for King Djoser of the Third Dynasty or perhaps his wife, Queen Henutsen.
Find out more: An article from Ancient Egypt
Step Pyramid of Djoser at Saqqara, built 2680-2660 B.C. This is the first true pyramid and was probably intended as a burial monument for King Djoser (who may have been its architect). It is nearly 100 feet high, with sides composed of limestone blocks. The base is about 250 feet on each side.
Next, read about the Great Pyramids of Giza.
The Great Pyramids of Giza are two large pyramidal structures located in Giza, Egypt. They are among the largest buildings in the world by volume after Mount Everest. The main one is known as the Pyramid of Cheops ("Kheops" or "Khafre") because its surface is almost completely covered by carved stones. Its height is approximately 394 feet (125 m), with sides that are 810 feet (250 m) long. The second one is called the Pyramid of Khaius ("Mycerinus") because some fragments of stone bearing the name of this king were found near it. Its height is approximately 266 feet (82 m), with sides that are 588 feet (180 m) long.
The Djoser Pyramid is believed to be the first true pyramid built during the Third Dynasty (2682-2570 B.C.). It was also the first pyramid built for a private person, rather than for a king or god.
It is based on the model built by King Zoser (who used it as a tomb) for his servant Djoser. The Djoser Pyramid is now in its original form only in a museum in Cairo; its height is about 38 meters (125 feet). However, research has shown that it might have been even taller when it was originally constructed.
The Great Pyramid of Giza is one of the most famous monuments in the world. Its large size and impressive appearance made it a favorite target for graffiti artists. These tags can still be seen today on some of the stones around the site.
In addition, many theories have been proposed about the purpose of the pyramid. Some believe it was built as a burial monument for Pharaoh Khufu, while others think it was designed for astronomical purposes.
The Saqqara step pyramid is an archeological relic in Egypt's Saqqara necropolis, northwest of Memphis. It was erected 4700 years ago. It was constructed in the 27th century under Pharaoh Djoser's third dynasty. The pyramid was originally covered with limestone but now only its core is preserved.
Djoser is known from other relics such as a carved stone statue and from references in ancient texts. He is considered one of the most powerful rulers in Egyptian history. His reign over Egypt is estimated to have lasted for about 30 years.
The pyramid was intended to be a burial monument for Djoser. Originally it was to be completely covered with smooth white limestone, but due to resource limitations, only the core of the structure was completed. It has three steps, each step being about 40 feet (12 m) high and 12 feet (3.6 m) wide. The apex of the pyramid is about 110 feet (33 m) high. It took more than 2000 wooden poles to build this monument.
This structure was inspired by the works of the gods; therefore, it was expected that kings would be buried within its depths. In fact, several pharaohs including Djoser were actually interred within its walls.
The shape of Mesopotamian ziggurats may have been replicated by the architects of the Step Pyramid of Saqqara. He (following dynasties referred to him as Zoser or Djoser) was the Second Dynasty's second ruler, and his pyramid, the Step Pyramid of Saqqara, was constructed of stone blocks rather than mud bricks. It is therefore classified as a true pyramid rather than a tumulus. The Step Pyramid was originally covered with fine white limestone but now only its base remains. It is about 48 meters on each side and eight meters high.
In addition to being one of the first true pyramids, Djoser's reign marked a turning point for Egypt: he initiated the use of stone instead of mud bricks for building purposes. Prior to this time, builders used mud brick for stability but made their structures wooden at the top (i.e., they built scaffolds). With the use of stone, greater strength could be achieved and scaffolding could be eliminated entirely, leading to larger and better-built buildings being constructed.
Djoser also had a new type of temple built for himself called a "heka" which means "a place where life begins." These heka temples were large structures with many rooms that would have housed all of Djoser's statues and decorations. They were probably places where babies were born and priests taught religion lessons.
The colossal pyramids of Ancient Egypt are among the world's most renowned tombs. Mastabas, Arabic for "benches," were mud or brick rectangular constructions erected over tombs during the First Dynasty of Ancient Egypt (c. 2925-c. 2775 B.C.). The earliest known mastaba is named after its inventor; it is now on display in Cairo.
King Tutankhamen was an ancient Egyptian king who reigned from c. 1332 to 1323 B.C. He is famous today as one of the few Pharaohs of Ancient Egypt whose tomb was not robbed by thieves looking for treasure. Instead, his tomb was accidentally discovered by British archaeologist Howard Carter while he was searching for the burial place of King Amenhotep III. The discovery of King Tut's tomb led to many discoveries about other pharaohs whose graves had been lost for thousands of years, including those of Queen Nefertiti and Prince Champollion.
Tut's tomb was a huge success. It contained many beautiful objects including jewelry, clothes, weapons, and musical instruments. The museum that displays some of these treasures is one of the largest attractions in Egypt.
After King Tut's death in 1332 B.C., his body was removed from the original tomb and replaced with plaster casts because gold really is valuable and likely worth stealing.
It began as a mastaba tomb—a flat-roofed structure with sloping sides—and grew into a 197-foot-high (60-meter) pyramid with six tiers, one built on top of the other. The pyramid was built with 11.6 million cubic feet of stone and clay (330,400 cubic meters). It would have been surrounded by a wall up to 18 feet (5.4 meters) high and packed with limestone and granite boulders. Inside the pyramid itself, there would have been a limestone or granite floor covered with the remains of the pharaohs.
The first pyramid was built for King Zoser, who ruled from 2390 B.C. to 2184 B.C. He was the father of Khufu (who succeeded him as king), and his own name means "the great house." The pyramid was called the Great Pyramid because it was so large compared to those built later. It is believed that all previous kings were also buried here.
Why was the first pyramid built? Perhaps it was meant to show dominance over other kingdoms or to honor the king because he had no children when he died. However, most historians believe that it was built as a grave for Pharaoh Zoser because his body was never found. His burial site was probably looted many times after his death.
Who built the second pyramid? This pyramid was built for Khufu, who took over for his brother Zoser as king.