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 Earlier, ancient Egyptians built tombs for the pharaohs and
their queens. The tradition of pyramid building started in
Ancient Egypt as a sophistication of the idea of a mastaba
or "platform" that covered the royal tomb. Later,
several stacked mastabas started being used. Today the pyramids
are counted amongst the archeological wonders of the world.
Some of the well-known pyramids of Egypt are:
THE GREAT PYRAMIDS OF GIZA
Giza, one of the several necropolises that served the ancient
city is home to some amazing pyramids of Egypt and also the
famous Great Sphinx. The three great pyramids of Giza are:
Khufu's Pyramid
The only surviving Ancient Wonders of the World, Khufu's Pyramid
stands tall at a height of 481 feet. The pyramid was built
around 2589-2566 B.C over thirteen acres of land
Khafre's Pyramid
Khafre, the son of Khufu, who was also known as Chephren,
led the construction of the second largest pyramid complex
at Giza, which includes the Sphinx, a Mortuary Temple, and
a Valley Temple. Built around 2558-2532 B.C, the most distinct
feature of Khafre's Pyramid is the topmost layer of smooth
stones that are the only remaining casing stones on a Giza
Pyramid. Limestone and red granite was used for building the
temple.
Menkaure
Built for King Menkaure, who ruled from 2490 - 2472 B.C, the
pyramid had an original height of 215 feet. The pyramid was
built of limestone and red granite while the sarcophagus was
made up of basalt
THE PYRAMID OF DJEDEFRE
This pyramid of Djedefre is situated 5 miles north of Giza
at a site now called Abu Roash. Whether the pyramid was left
unfinished or quarried away by stone thieves, nobody knows,
but little remains of the superstructure of the pyramid. Estimates
place its original base at about 380 feet, and casing stones
have indicated a possible steep angle of 60 degrees.
THE PYRAMID OF TETI
The core masonry of the pyramid of Teti was made of accreted
blocks of stone and encased in fine limestone. Measuring 78.5
metres to a side, it rose to a height of 52.5 metres. Today
the core masonry has been left exposed, due to which it crumbled
down into the rounded mound of stones as seen today
THE PYRAMID OF KHENTKAUES
Built out of the discarded limestone from the Neferirkare
pyramid, the pyramids of pharaoh Khentkaues are located at
Abusir. The core of this four meters high pyramid is made
in three layers and bound with mortar made of clay. The entrance
to the pyramid is near ground level in the middle of the north
wall. The burial chamber is lined with white limestone and
with larger blocks serving as its flat ceiling
Vacations in Egypt offers online tour bookings to Egypt Pyramids Tour.
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