The Pyramids, Egypt
History
The first historically documented Egyptian pyramid is attributed to the architect Imhotep. Amenhotep is credited with being the first to conceive the notion of stacking mastabas on top of each other — creating an edifice composed of a number of "steps" that decreased in size towards its apex. The result was the Step Pyramid of Djoser — which was designed to serve as a gigantic stairway by which the soul of the deceased pharaoh could ascend to the heavens. Such was the importance of Imhotep's achievement that he was deified by later Egyptians.
The most prolific pyramid-building phase coincided with the greatest degree of absolutist pharaonic rule. It was during this time that the most famous pyramids, those near Giza, were built. Over time, as authority became less centralized, the ability and willingness to harness the resources required for construction on a massive scale decreased, and later pyramids were smaller, less well-built and often hastily constructed.
The most recent pyramid to be discovered is that of Queen Sesheshet, mother of 6th Dynasty Pharaoh Teti, located at Saqqara. The discovery was announced by Zahi Hawass, Secretary General of the Egyptian Supreme Council of Antiquities, on 11 November 2008.
All of Egypt's pyramids, except the small Third Dynasty pyramid of Zawyet el-Amwat, are sited on the west bank of the Nile, and most are grouped together in a number of pyramid fields. The most important of these are listed geographically, from north to south, below.
For the pyramids tour! As you probably know, this is the only seven wonder of the ancient times that remains today. They have stayed here for more than 4500 years, and I am sure they will be here for some thousand years more.
Something that probably will surprise you, is that the pyramids are not, as I expected, lost in the middle of the desert, but in the outskirts of the city of Cairo. They are in a Gizah, the name of the neighborhood on the other side of the Nile river.
In the photo you can see the famous sphinx and the Kefren pyramid. This pyramid is the second tallest. The tallest one is Kheops (actually only 2 meters higher).
The first historically documented Egyptian pyramid is attributed to the architect Imhotep. Amenhotep is credited with being the first to conceive the notion of stacking mastabas on top of each other — creating an edifice composed of a number of "steps" that decreased in size towards its apex. The result was the Step Pyramid of Djoser — which was designed to serve as a gigantic stairway by which the soul of the deceased pharaoh could ascend to the heavens. Such was the importance of Imhotep's achievement that he was deified by later Egyptians.
The most prolific pyramid-building phase coincided with the greatest degree of absolutist pharaonic rule. It was during this time that the most famous pyramids, those near Giza, were built. Over time, as authority became less centralized, the ability and willingness to harness the resources required for construction on a massive scale decreased, and later pyramids were smaller, less well-built and often hastily constructed.
Number and location of pyramids
Many pyramids are in a poor state of preservation or buried by desert sands. If visible at all they may appear as little more than mounds of rubble. As a consequence archaeologists are continuing to identify and study previously unknown pyramid structures.The most recent pyramid to be discovered is that of Queen Sesheshet, mother of 6th Dynasty Pharaoh Teti, located at Saqqara. The discovery was announced by Zahi Hawass, Secretary General of the Egyptian Supreme Council of Antiquities, on 11 November 2008.
All of Egypt's pyramids, except the small Third Dynasty pyramid of Zawyet el-Amwat, are sited on the west bank of the Nile, and most are grouped together in a number of pyramid fields. The most important of these are listed geographically, from north to south, below.
Abu Rawash
Giza
Zawyet el-Aryan
Abu Sir
Saqqara
Dahshur
Mazghuna
Lisht
Meidum
Hawara
el-Lahun
Tour of The Pyramids, EgyptFor the pyramids tour! As you probably know, this is the only seven wonder of the ancient times that remains today. They have stayed here for more than 4500 years, and I am sure they will be here for some thousand years more.
Something that probably will surprise you, is that the pyramids are not, as I expected, lost in the middle of the desert, but in the outskirts of the city of Cairo. They are in a Gizah, the name of the neighborhood on the other side of the Nile river.
In the photo you can see the famous sphinx and the Kefren pyramid. This pyramid is the second tallest. The tallest one is Kheops (actually only 2 meters higher).
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