Egyptian Pyramids

Constructed during a period when Egypt was at the peak of its prosperity and was regarded as one of the mightiest civilizations on earth, the Egyptian pyramids, particularly the Great Pyramids of Giza, are few of the greatest structures made by men that the history of human civilization has ever seen. It is a proud symbol of the rich and glorious past of the country. The splendid structures reflect the contributions of the pharaohs or kings in the ancient Egyptian times. A Tour to Explore Egypt Pyramids will make the best.The construction of these structures began during the very start of the Old Kingdom and continued till the close of the Ptolemic age during the 4th century A.D.

The early pyramids

The earliest pyramids that were built are at Saqqara, located in the north-west Memphis. Pyramid of Djoser is the earliest of the pyramidal structures belonging to the group of Saqqara. It was built during the third dynasty, the most prosperous period of ancient Egyptian history. Called the stepped pyramids, Egyptian pyramids it started as a traditional mastaba but grew into something more ambitious.

With Djoser, these stepped structures became a standard rule for royal burials. However, such structures made by his successors remained incomplete. The earliest complete pyramid with appropriate features, i.e., with smooth sides, rather than stepped ones was the Red Pyramid at Dahshur.

The Great Pyramids of Giza

This is the most celebrated group of pyramids in Egypt. Located on the outskirts of Cairo, on the western shore of Nile, the Great Pyramid is the largest and the oldest in the complex of Giza and one the seven wonders of the ancient world. It was built in memory of Khufu, the 2nd of the eight kings belonging to the 4th dynasty. With a whopping base of 230 m and a height of 147 m, it is the world’s largest pyramid.

Lying adjacent to it are three small pyramidal constructions of the three queens of Khufu. Like other pyramidal constructions, the one dedicated to Khufu is also encircled by mastaba rows, built for the purpose of giving company to the king in his afterlife.

In the middle of the Giza complex lies the pyramid dedicated to Kafre, Khufu’s son. The unique feature of this structure is the Great Sphinx, a limestone construction with a man’s head and lion’s body. A length of 240 feet and a height of 66 feet made it the ancient world’s largest statue.

The southernmost pyramidal construction is dedicated to Menkaure, the son of Khafre. With a height of 218 feet, this is the shortest of all the three pyramids. This can be considered to be precursor to the smaller pyramidal structures that came to be built during the 5th and 6th centuries.

The close of the Pyramid Era

The construction of the pyramids continued during the 5th and the 6th dynasties. During this time pyramid texts came into being, which were accounts of events that happened during the reign of the king. However, the quality of the constructions during this time deteriorated to a great extent.

The pyramidal structures were later robbed and plundered several times; hence, what we see today are only feeble remains of what once used to be grand. Visiting Egyptian pyramids, Book Hotels in Cairo, Egypt with us.