Numerous historical landmarks are famous travelers’ destinations around the world. And the ancient Egyptian pyramids often top the list. It’s understandable since the majestic structure is older than the current civilization. But the pyramids have a lot to offer to all travelers. They hold more than secrets and fascinating stories from ancient civilizations.
What are the ancient Egyptian pyramids?
The pyramids of Egypt is a pyramid-shaped monument with the primary function as a ceremonial tombs for pharaohs and other important figures. Travelers can see hundreds of pyramids across Egypt and the neighboring country. Sudan has more pyramids than Egypt since it has most of the Nubian population during the ancient Egyptian era.
Travelers can notice different styles and sizes that show which time and dynasty built the monument. For example, the 4th dynasty built the Great Pyramid of Giza. The enormous size and design are vastly different from the Pyramid of Djoser or the step pyramid that the 3rd dynasty built. And they were less than 100 years apart.
A pyramid is more than just a glorious burial ground. It’s a monument with several chambers inside. And since there are reports on ancient Egyptian civilization from the early bronze era, there’s a possibility there are more pyramids still buried.
Many Egyptologists use pyramids to signify a specific dynasty and era. Each pyramid shows differences in structure and layout. But the most obvious difference is in the finished look.
Earlier pyramids from the 3rd dynasty were either half-buried or already losing the facade. The 3rd dynasty built the Pyramid of Skhemket at Saqqara necropolis. These buildings look like an Incan pyramid with steps instead of a smooth surface. Other pyramids from the same dynasty are the pyramid of Meidum and the Bent pyramid.
The 4th Dynasty built the Great Pyramid of Giza, the Red Pyramid, and the Pyramid of Djeffre. These pyramids are not only larger but they also have a smoother surface than the older pyramids. The Great Pyramid of Giza even still has the white limestone cover at the top.
Who Built the Pyramids
It’s a mistake, and a massive understatement, to say that the ancient Egyptians are the ones responsible for the majestic structure. For starters, archeologists found traces of civilization in Egypt even during the Neolithic era. However, it was not until 3150 BC that Egyptians started to have a dynasty.
The previous civilization already builds a majestic burial ground for the ruler. But the Old Kingdom dynasty started building pyramids as the tomb for their pharaohs. Unfortunately, there was not much information on the Pharaohs before the 3rd dynasty.
Many Egyptologists take the 4th Dynasty as the golden age of the Old Kingdom. They built The Pyramid of Khufu and the Pyramid of Khafe, or the Great Pyramid of Giza complex as people know it today. These pyramids showcase the advanced technology Ancient Egyptians had at that time.
A recent discovery put the rumors about ancient Egyptian slavery to an end. The common misconception is how ancient Egyptians overworked their slaves to build the Pyramids. But a recent discovery showed a log of how many people were paid and at what cost. Ancient Egyptians hired professional masons and groups of workers to build the pyramids.
Why did Egypt stop building Pyramids?
There is an official statement or solid record of why ancient Egyptians stopped building Pyramids. But many historians believe that it’s primarily due to security reasons. As the burial ground, Ancient Egyptian also included personal wealth inside the pyramid. And it attracts numerous grave robbers and plunderers.
The New Kingdom period oversaw a shift in building Pyramids. They didn’t after grandeur, but were more religious and focused on a filial relationship. This is evident in the Valley of the Kings and Queens on both sides of the Nile river. Most of the Pharaohs buried there were from the 18th until the 20th dynasty. And these pyramids were significantly smaller than the ones at Giza and even Saqqara necropolis.
The New Kingdom also still build pyramids to bury their Pharaohs. However, they constantly moved the capitals around and focused on repairing and rebuilding temples instead of Pyramids. The 25th dynasty in particular slowly moved the capital to the lower Nile region or modern-day Sudan. The dynasty, also known as the black Pharaoh, built more Pyramids there until the fall of the 26th dynasty to the Persian army.
The Persian conquest marked the end of the New Kingdom era in ancient Egypt. And due to the influence of the conquerors, the Egyptians embraced the new culture. This include when the Roman empire invaded Egypt during the Ptolemaic period. The royal tomb of the last ruler in the period, Cleopatra VII, is also still unknown. Many believe that it’s located near Alexandria, but nobody can pinpoint an exact location. Some even believe that the tomb of Cleopatra and Anthony is already underwater.
What is Under the Pyramid?
As a burial ground, travelers can expect to see the sarcophagus that holds the pharaoh’s body inside the pyramid. But the monument consists of numerous chambers with different purposes. A large pyramid signifies how successful and revered the Pharaoh was. Therefore, it will have more chambers beside the main burial chamber.
These chambers are to keep everything that the Pharaohs need for the afterlife. Even though it’s a burial ground, Pyramid holds more than just the pharaoh’s body. It also has numerous personal belongings, primarily jewels, and other valuables.
On the outside, the pyramid is always part of a royal tomb complex covering several smaller pyramids, temples, and other buildings to hold religious ceremonies. It’s also common for Pharaohs from the same dynasties to be buried in the same complex.
The Valley of Kings in Luxor holds numerous pyramids of various sizes. In addition to the Pharaoh’s tombs, the valley also has temples and pyramids for the lesser aristocrats and priests.
Any travelers who wish to visit the ancient Egyptian pyramids should book a tour with Exodus at https://exodustravel.net/ immediately. The company has been providing tour services for decades. Travelers can rest assured that their trip to Egypt will be memorable and the best they have had in a lifetime.
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