Pyramid Essay

Egyptian Pyramids And The Pyramids
The Egyptian pyramids were an important aspect of the Egyptian life and culture constructed
around 2500 BCE with their geographical location being at the West bank of the River Nile. The
three pyramids on the Giza plateau were built in a span of three generations by three Pharaohs
namely Khafre, Menkaure and Khufu. These monuments are unsurpassed in terms of height and
mass with the architects of the pyramids building them in a way that they could face the setting
sun as they served as a resting place for the dead. In stead of that, each pyramid acted as a royal
mortuary which included a temple on its base and a causeway which was made out of stone leading
from the east of the plateau. These temples were used by the living to honor the...show more
content...
The completion of the upper hemisphere of the Pantheon is connected to a hypothetical lower
hemisphere that touches the central point of the floor. This central point is referred to as the
Oculus and has an opening of about 8.3 meters wide at the top of the cupola that serves as the
only source of light for the building as shown in figure 1.1. Its basic design was devised in a way
whereby the portico had columns attached to a rotunda with a dome shape. An intermediate block
was put in between the rectilinear portico and the round rotunda to help in transition between the
two. Its walls are made from concrete that is brick faced which was witnessed in most ancient
buildings and the Roman aqua ducts. The concrete of the dome was graded into 6 layers with the
architects mixing scoria and a low–density volcanic rock at the top of the dome as derived from Tod
Marder and Mark Wilson. Scholars have indicated that Egypt was a kingdom formed and united
under a single ruler in which the government was centralized thus enhancing engagement between
the political elite and the citizens. Earlier Egyptian Pharaohs had absolute power owing to the fact
that they appointed members of the royal family to prestigious positions but with time the
government positions became hereditary and most of the district
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Construction Of The Great Pyramid Essay
Of the three theories on how the Great Pyramid was built, in descending order of acceptability, the
most suitable theory is Clifford Wilson's followed by Joseph Davidovits' and Erich Von DГ¤niken's
argument. Clifford Wilson's theory is the best because he illustrates how the pyramids were built and
provides the evidence to prove his theory, however; this is unlike Joseph Davidovits' theory because
Davidovits does not fully answer questions that arise concerning his theory. The three theories have
similar points, but contain very different ideas on the construction of the Great Pyramid. This is
obvious in Clifford Wilson's argument where he is repeatedly disproving Von DГ¤niken's theory that
the "gods" created the pyramids, whereas in...show more content...
Despite Clifford Wilson's negative aspects, his theory remains the most reasonable compared to the
other two arguments.
Joseph Davidovits discovered a simple chemical process that turned a putty mixture into stone
and argues that this method was used in the construction of the Great Pyramid. Joseph Davidovits
explains that the pyramid blocks were simply stone casted instead of being cut and hauled from
the quarry. This is a very probable answer because all the needed materials are available.
Davidovits indicates that the use of a ramp, as Clifford Wilson suggests, must have been larger
than the pyramid in order to allow a slight angle for the workers to drag the blocks up. Another
problem with the use of the ramp is that three are no murals at the time showing the ramps and sleds
that were supposedly used to move the blocks. Davidovits demonstrates a unique method of the
construction of the pyramids, but this is not as well as Wilson's theory because there are problems
with Davidovits' theory.
Joseph Davidovits has proved that with the right materials available, it is possible to chemically
cast stone. While Davidovits proves his theory with sufficient evidence, many problems are
brought up. One problem that faces Davidovits is the fact that there are spaces between each of the
stone blocks. If the putty were poured against the other blocks, there would be no spaces at all.
Researches have also found tool marks on the blocks, and this fact does not cohere

This essay focuses on two different types of pyramids; the Step pyramid which was the first
pyramid and the Great pyramid, which was the largest pyramid built in Egypt. The essay investigates
the meaning of the selected forms for the Egyptian culture and explains their dialog with the cosmos.
The architecture of ancient Egypt is one of the most significant civilizations throughout history,
which developed of different structures and great architectural monuments along the River Nile.
The pyramids were built as a tomb for the pharaoh. Their belief was that the top point of the
pyramid was the gate for the soul to travel to the afterlife and return to earth if chosen. These tombs
were built which line up with certain stars and planets....show more content...
Each part of the pyramid between two steps is referred to as a mastaba. Each accreditation wall or
layer formed one step of the step pyramid and defined the base of the next mastaba by reducing the
height of the wall layer by layer. (Arnold 1991, p 159)
Intended to hold his mummified body, Pharaoh Djoser's Step Pyramid at Saqqara began as a
traditional, flat–roofed mastaba. But by the end of his 19–year reign, in 2611 B.C.E, it had risen to
six stepped layers and stood 62 meters high. It was the largest building of its time. Extensive use of
stone, wood, reeds, or other softer materials made the tomb more durable than its mud–brick
forebears. Such pioneering techniques led many ancient historians to credit the chief architect,
Imhotep, with inventing stone architecture. The Step Pyramid complex was enclosed by a 10
meters wall and included courtyards, temples, and chapels covering nearly 40 acres (16 hectares)
the size of a large town in the third millennium B.C. As in earlier mastaba tombs, the Step Pyramid's
burial chambers are underground, hidden in a maze of tunnels, probably to discourage grave
robbers. The tomb was nevertheless plundered, and all that remains of Djoser, the third king of
Egypt's 3rd dynasty, is his mummified left foot. It consists of internal passageways and chambers. It
is known that this pyramid has the most

The Great Pyramid of Giza Essay
The Great Pyramid of Giza
Who built the Great Pyramid?
The Great Pyramid was built by the Egyptian pharaoh Khufu. Khufuwas born in 2589 BC – 2566
BC. His real name was Khnum–khuf meaning 'the god Khnum is his protection. Khufuwas the son
of another great pyramid builder, King Sneferu. Khufu's mothers name was Hetepheres. Khufuwas
the second king in the 4th dynasty. The Greeks referred Khufu as Cheops
When and Where was the Great Pyramid built?
The Great Pyramid was built in the city of Giza, a resting place of ancient Memphis, and today it is
part of Greater Cairo, Egypt. That's why it is called the Great Pyramid of GIZA. It is near the west
bank of the Nile River. It was built...show more content...
It's 65 times Yao Ming's height, and Yao Ming's tall!
What Materials was it Built, What Tools were used, and How was it built?
To build the pyramid the Egyptians used rock. They also used limestone to build the pyramid. It was
used to cover the pyramid so it would glimmer under the sun. The best limestone was deeper
underground, so the men tunneled under the ground. The limestone was then removed from
underneath and brought to the building site.
To get the rocks and limestone out of the ground, one man would begin by chipping away at the
rock with a pick. He would dig a channel, growing wider and wider that freed a large block on all
sides except for the base. Then other men would use levers to pry the block free. Once freed, the
rock was then transported to the building site. With 20 men pulling a 2.5–ton block to the building
site, it would take them approx. 20 minutes to cover the distance.
To build the Great Pyramid, the men used tools such as rope, stone hammers, and plumb bobs to
help measure, align, chisel, and more to help in their constructions.
To ensure that the structures began on a level base, a wooden device shaped like the letter A was
probably used. The A was laid on the corner of the structure to see if the two sides formed right
angles. A plumb bob hung from the top of the A. If it hung straight, the builders knew that the base
was level.
Once the

Ancient Egyptian Pyramid Building Essay
Ancient Egyptian Pyramid Building
The Egyptian pyramids have been the subject of many outlandish claims and construction theories
for centuries. The Great Pyramid for example has been associated with pyramid power, curses,
Atlantis, Mexican pyramids, Stonehenge, Nazca, the Bermuda Triangle, Biblical prophecy, Martian
faces, advanced civilizations, space aliens, cavity resonators, and even levitation. It is not surprising
that some who have proposed such theories have been dubbed "pyramidiots". This paper will
attempt to give a more logical solution to the methods ancient Egyptians may have had used, and the
problems they may have had, using factual information, scientific evidence and a bit of common
sense. It is time for...show more content...
Each block would to have been quarried or cut, and then hauled to the work site, and eventually
placed in the correct position. The Egyptians had an amazing understanding of math, which helped
them plan the erection of the pyramid, but the only driving force behind them was manpower. The
actual people who built the pyramids were all voluntary workers; they were not slaves contrary to
popular belief. New archaeological evidence shows that those who dragged and laid these two
and a half ton granite slabs were condemned to an early grave, and they died with deformed bones
and broken limbs. An Egyptian excavation recently uncovered the burial ground of hundreds of
workers who helped to build the great pyramid for king Cheops 4500 years ago. Originally over
one hundred and forty six meters high, it is the tallest of the three famous pyramids at Giza near
the Nile delta. The workers burial ground is one kilometer west of the pyramid, close to their
living quarters. Zahi Hawass, the Egyptian archaeologist leading the excavation says that most of
the workers skeletons have abnormal outgrowths known as osteophytes, which are caused by
chronic heavy labor. The joints of numerous bones show wear and tear and many bodies have
damaged spines. Six skeletons have severed limbs or splintered feet. Workers died on average
between the ages of thirty and thirty–five, compared to between fifty and sixty for members

The Great Pyramid Of Giza Research Paper
The Great Pyramid of Giza is the one of the oldest wonder of the Ancient World. It is the only one
of the Ancient Wonders to stay today. Other six are no more in this world. Its completion was
around 2540 B.C. and took exactly 20 years or more but not less than 20. It precisely stood 488 feet
tall. It had been the largest man–made structure for almost 4,000 years. When the Lincoln
Cathederal was rebuilt in England, it had been called the largest structure in the world. It was built
at the height of 535 feet tall in the year about 1300 A.D. A Pharaoh of the old kingdom of Egypt
called Khufu and in Greek, he is also called Cheops. He commanded this great pyramid to be built
as his interment place after he died. It was the first structure

Pyramids Essay
Pyramids
The pyramids of Egypt are the last remaining Wonder of the World. Even in the days of Ancient
Egypt when powerful pharaohs ruled over Egypt the pyramids were considered a wonder. Today,
the ruins of 35 pyramids still stand near the Nile River in Egypt. These pyramids were built to
protect the bodies of Egyptian kings and other royalty but before the pyramids became the standard
for burials, tombs were used for Egypt's early rulers, nobles, and other high ranking officials. This
group of hierarchy were laid to rest in rectangular, flat–topped mastabas of mud and brick. These
mastabas were about 12 feet high and were easy targets for tomb robbers.
The first pyramid built...show more content...
They were built between 2600 B.C. and 2500 B.C. However, it is hard today to imagine the
manpower involved in building the Great Pyramid (especially in our world of computers,
machinery, and advanced technology. The ancient Egyptians had no machinery or iron tools to
help in the building of the pyramids. The large limestone blocks used to build the pyramids were
cut with copper chisels and saws. Most of these stones came from nearby quarries. An interesting
fact to note is that camels were not brought into use until twenty centuries after the pyramids were
built. Human strength was used to drag the stones from the quarries or from the boats (Casson
76). The stones were then dragged and pushed into place for the first layer of the Great Pyramid,
which was placed on flat level ground. Next, long ramps were built of earth and brick moving the
blocks up the ramps to form the next layer. After the top layer was finished the workers covered
the pyramid with an outer coating of white casing stone, which gave the Great Pyramid a brilliant
shrine during the day when the sun shone down on it. The outer coating of white casing stone were
laid so perfectly that from a distance the pyramid appeared to have been made from a single white
stone.
The main difference of the Great Pyramid compared to other pyramids, besides the fact of its size,
is the difference of the location of the burial chamber. The Great Pyramid's burial chamber was in the
uppermost

Egyptian Pyramids Essay
When most people mention Ancient Egypt the first thing that comes to mind is the Pyramids. To
construct such monuments required a mastery of art, architecture and social organization that few
cultures would ever rival. The pyramids are said to have built Egypt by being the force that knit
together the kingdom's economy. Their creations were so substantial, that the sight of these vast
pyramids would take your breath away. Today, the valley of the Nile has an open air museum so
people can witness these grand monuments. Obsessed with the afterlife, Egypt's rulers of
4,500 years ago glorified themselves in stone, thereby laying the foundation of the first great
nation–state. A Pyramid is an enormous machine that helps the king go...show more content...
Immovable doors hung on great carved hinges. Facades called false doors through which the
pharaoh's ka, or vital force, was presumed to pass, lay recessed within walls. The interiors of
dummy temples were packed with rubble. Everything about the place bespoke illusion. The Step
Pyramid was a ladder. Not a symbol of a ladder but an actual one, by which the soul of a dead ruler
might climb to the sky, joining the gods in immortality. No one knows why the Egyptians
created this fantastic scene, but some archaeologists speculate that there was an Old Kingdom belief
that a work of art, a building, had power and utility in the afterlife in direct proportion to its
uselessness in the real world. In this view, each false door, each dummy temple worked in the
afterlife precisely because it could not function in this one. On the north side of the
pyramid is a small stone cubicle, with a pair of tiny holes in its facade. When you look through
these holes, you see two eyes retuning your stare, the blank gaze of a life size statue of Djoser
sitting on the throne. The holes are there for the pharaoh to look out perhaps at the stars in the
northern sky called the Imperishables because they never set. Many believe that the
building of Djoser's pyramid complex, which was accomplished by hundreds of workers from
across the land, served to join those provinces into the world's first nation–state. During the Old

The Great Pyramid Research Paper
At the time of the Old Kingdom, Egyptians would build pyramids as part of their civilization.
These pyramids were structures used by the ancient world for religious purposes, were tombs for the
mummified bodies of pharaohs, and a symbol of royal power ("The Pyramids of Egypt" and
Spielvogel 23). Therefore, they were not built in isolation but as part of a larger complex dedicated
to the dead (Spielvogel 22). With that being said, over 130 pyramids have been discovered in Egypt
("Ancient Egyptian Pyramid Facts for Kids – Giza, Djoser, Saqqara, Tutankhamun"). With one of
them being the largest, oldest and most magnificent, the Great Pyramid, built under Snefru's son
Khufu (Spielvogel 22). The Great Pyramid was built in circa 2550 B.C. in Giza at 481 ft. high
("National Geographic: Egypt – Great Pyramid of Khufu at Giza"). The building of the Great
Pyramid was an enormous construction project that used about 2.3 million limestone blocks, each
weighing on average 2.5 to 15 tons,...show more content...
The Great Pyramid was the centerpiece of an elaborate complex, which included several small
pyramids, five boat pits, a mortuary temple, a causeway, a raised road or path that goes across wet
ground or water, a valley temple and many flat–roofed tombs for officials and some members of the
royal family ("National Geographic: Egypt – Great Pyramid of Khufu at Giza"). Also, it is located at
the center of the land mass of the earth ("25 Facts about the Great Pyramid of Giza"). Another
interesting fact is the Pyramid of Menkaure, the Pyramid of Khafre and the Great Pyramid of
Khufu are precisely aligned with the Constellation of Orion ("25 Facts about the Great Pyramid of
Giza"). In conclusion, the Great Pyramid still stands as a symbol of the power of Egyptian kings of
Old Kingdom (Spielvogel

The Egyptian Pyramids Essay
The Egyptian Pyramids
When most people think of Ancient Egypt they think of Pyramids. To construct such great
monuments required a mastery of architecture, social organization, and art that few cultures of that
period could achieve.
The oldest pyramid, the Step–Pyramids, grow out of the abilities of two men, King Djoser and
Imhotep. Djoser, the second king of 3rd dynasty, was the first king to have hired an architect,
Imhotep, to design a tomb (Time–Life Books, 74). Imhotep was known as the father of
mathematics, medicine, architecture, and as the inventor of the calendar (White, 40). He had a
great idea of stacking mastabas until they reached six tiers, a total of 60 meters high and its base
180 meters by 108 meters (Casson,...show more content...
Just to move one block took the work of forty men. The daily life of the workers constructing the
pyramids was one of immense toil spanning over a long period of time. The quarrymen toiled away
with soft copper chisels that hardly made a dent in the limestone. Another team dug a network of
canals to transport the stones and food for the workers. Finally, another team of workers would haul
the massive blocks on wooden sleds and put them into position (Casson, 130–137). This great social
organization became the force that knit the country together.
Another important group was the artisans. They were the people who decorated the inside of the
pyramids. The artisans, also, brought a sense of social organization by the many processes it took
to produce a work of art. For instance, the actual sculpting of a statue was not considered a single
process, but as on process among many. The quarrymen had to quarry the stone with soft copper
chisels, and it was transported to a sculptor. After the sculptor was finished with it, the sculpture was
sent to another artisan. This artist would cut hieroglyphs in the statue. The hieroglyphs were about
the life of the person that the statue represented. Then, they would send it to a metal worker who
inserted the eyes and other details. Finally, the statue was

Essay on The Great Pyramid of Giza
The Great Pyramid of Giza is also recognized as the Pyramid of Khufu, Khufu's Pyramid and
Pyramid of Cheops. It is the most significant and earliest structure in the world. This pyramid is the
oldest of the three pyramids standing on the Giza Necropolis. It is also the largest of them all
(Larry, 2000). This great pyramid is located on the northern edge of the Giza Plateau, which is 25 km
outskirts, southwest of Cairo, Egypt. It is the only remaining standing monument of the Seven
Wonders of the Ancient World (Crystalink, 2011). It is said that the pyramid was built as the tomb
for the Fourth Dynasty Egyptian King Khufu (known in Greek as Cheops).
The pyramid is believed to have been built for over 20 years by a workforce of 100,000...show more
content...
It seems that the pyramid was never completed to be built. This is because it has a flat top and not
pointed as it ought to have. Its summit is truncated and it is uneven and coarse and it is 30 square
feet in measurement. This is unlike other pyramids which were put a top stone that crowned them
and completed their structure (gizapyramid.com, 2011). Other sources suggest that originally the cap
existed but is currently missing. They say that the cap stone was sheathed in gold and this golden
cap with the beautiful encased white limestone made an impressive, shining sight in the bright sun in
Egypt (Krystek, 2010).
The limestone's that were used to build the pyramids were taken from quarries along the Nile
River. When the building was completed the Great Pyramid was surfaced using white casing
stones that slanted and were flat at the top (Krystek, 2010). The smooth blocks were beautiful,
extremely well polished and white. This came to be known as the Casing Stones (Krystek, 2010).
These have since then been cut off by Arabs who use them to build mosques in Cairo. However, a
few of them still remain. Before the Arabs begun to strip off the casing stones they were very
beautiful to look at. The original pyramid with its white casing would operate like humongous
mirrors that powerfully reflected light on the moon and be seen like a star on earth
(gizapyramid.com, 2011).
The Great Pyramid at Giza demonstrates a very remarkable aspect of its location on the surface of the

The Great Pyramid Essay examples
Outline
Thesis Statement: The Great Pyramid is a mystery to the modern age, even though its purpose; uses,
history, and condition have challenged explorers for centuries it will always be considered one of
the greatest wonders of the world. 1.Why was the Great Pyramid built?
A.Who built the Great Pyramid?
B.Why was it built?
C.Comparative theories.
2.What was the Great Pyramid used for?
A.Religious uses.
B.Astronomical uses.
C.Environmental uses.
3.How was the Great Pyramid built?
A.Workers.
B.Dimensions.
C.Surrounding community.
Why the Great Pyramid of Giza was built is a question that has been challenging archeologists,
philosophers, and historians for hundreds of years. What we do know is that the...show more
content...
At noon on the spring equinox, the pyramid casts no shadow because of its shape and latitude.
The Great Pyramid is stated to be the most accurately aligned structure in existence and faces true
north with only 3/60ths of a degree of error. The Great Pyramid is also said to be located at the
center of the land mass of the earth, the east/west parallel and the north/south meridian that
crosses the most land on earth intersect exactly with the Great Pyramid. There are also several
measurements outside and within the pyramid that when divided by 100 or Pi equals exactly
365.24 the exact number of days in a year. Other dimensions within the pyramid are said to
calculate the mean distance to the sun, the sun's radius, the earth's polar radius, the radius of the
earth, and the precession of the equinoxes. (x) Because the Great Pyramid is the only remaining
structure of the seven wonders of the ancient world, (xi) many people have debated over how it
was constructed. Contemporary scientists and engineers believe that there was a primary group
of four thousand workers who were the quarry workers, haulers and masons. They also believe
that these primary workers were supported by twenty to twenty five thousand secondary workers
who built ramps, made tools, mixed mortar, and provided the basic needs of the workers such as
food and clothing. (xii) It has also been debated weather or not the work force was made up of

Reaction Paper On The Pyramids
Introduction
The Great Pyramids of Giza are some of the most fascinating and magnificent structures known to
man today. The Great Pyramids of Giza were built during the Age of the Pyramids, approximately
2660 BC. These pyramids were among the first ever built and are the most famous throughout the
world. It is accepted that the pyramids served as tombs for great pharaohs and royalty of the time.
Although it is constantly questioned how the pyramids were built, another vital factor to consider is
why the pyramids were built. Two of the most relevant factors looked at in relation to the reason for
the pyramid's construction is the Ancient Egyptian's religion at the time and their knowledge of the
skies and astronomy. However it is questionable just how significant and...show more content...
Purpose– The purpose is to inform viewers as well as to provide entertainment. This documentary
informs people on the society, culture and building of pyramids in ancient Egypt via the use of 3D
graphics and reenactments of life in Egypt.
Value– This source is of great value as it focuses on many aspects of Egyptian life, but most
importantly it pays close attention to the pyramids. It gives good background information to
Egyptian society and gives viewers an accurate explanation and understanding via visuals. It touches
on the physical labour and religious purposes for the pyramids being built.
Limitations– The one limitation to this source is that it does not provide any detailed mathematical,
scientific or astronomical evidence relating to the pyramids and not enough religious background to
Egyptian

Egyptian Pyramids Research Paper
Egyptian Pyramids Have you ever seen the pyramids in Egypt? The pyramids are magnificent and
mysterious. Ancient Egyptian pyramids are extremely important to Egyptian culture. Pyramids are
made to support Egyptian beliefs and culture. Egyptians had very strong beliefs about the Pyramid
construction started as soon as there was a new pharaoh. The people thought if they mummified the
bodies and put them in the pyramids then the pharaoh's souls would be immortal and anyone alive
when they afterlife. "The pyramids of Egypt were built to provide Egypt's rulers with the best
afterlife possible." (Grant 1) ruled would also be immortal. They also thought putting items in the
pyramids would help the pharaoh get to the afterlife. They would include food, amulets, scarabs,
metals or jewels, statues, pets, and The Book of The Dead. When family members died they would
even put their bodies in the pyramids. "Within each...show more content...
As you know they wanted to protect their dead pharaohs. They made these pyramids but
something has to be inside. "Another long passage leads upward from the entrance to the Grand
Gallery, and then on to the King's Chamber." (Armentrout 1) The Grand Gallery was always right
before the king's chamber. Sometimes a queen's chamber may be placed nearby. Some pyramids
had monster cells or trick passages. "Architects would sometimes include traps so grave robbers
couldn't get anything." (McGill 1) This did a good job most of the time but some grave robbers
could still steal stuff. Sometimes they would steal fake items but sometimes they were legitimate
items. "Architects tried to trick grave robbers by using empty chambers to make them believe the
pyramid had already been robbed." (McGill 1) This could fool some grave robbers but of course
not all. Inside pyramids they might have also included statues or art and hieroglyphs on the wall.
These could show the pharaohs life or other

The Pyramids Research Paper
Why were the pyramids so important to the history of Egypt? Pyramids housed dead, important
pharaohs and is now a main source of income through tourism. Pyramids were representations of
Ancient Egyptian religion, and also benefit many people by learning more about it. The history
started in 2650 B.C.E at the death of King Djoser. His architect, Imhotep, built a design of pyramid
called the Step Pyramid. This was supposed to represent a large stairway to which he would climb
up to the sun–god in the sky. This sparked the interest in pyramids, which soon gave ideas to other
architects. What about before the pyramids, where did the kings and their belonging go? Before
pyramids, there were mastabas. Mastabas were rectangular flat structures that were used to put
pharaohs and their belongings. Instead of burying the pharaohs, they kept above ground to see them
better.
The first kind of pyramid ever made in history was the step pyramid. The small pyramids around
the great pyramids are step pyramids. Step pyramids are formed and steps, usually to lead the
pharaohs climb up and be with the sun god. Pyramids were...show more content...
Much of the pyramids history is on the inside. One of the many things inside of the pyramids are
(sometimes also known as mummies) are the bodies of the pharaohs. When pharaohs died in Ancient
Egypt, they were believed to become gods. In order to properly put them at rest, they had to do a
proper burial. To do this, people has to take out every organ of the body except for the heart. The
heart is told to hold the soul, so they couldn't remove it. After this, they stuff the body with cloth
and sew the skin up. They put chemicals on the body to dry it out, and set for 40 days. The body
was then covered in oils, precious stones, and amulets and bound with longs strips of cloth over
and over again. A highly decorated mask was set on the face and wrapped again in cloth. This
whole process took about 70

Essay on The Great Pyramids
The Great Pyramids
Throughout the thousands of years that the Great Pyramid has been standing, there have been many
myths and legends that sprung up. Among them was a landing site for alien spacecraft, a spacecraft
itself, or the means to predict the future. This report is going to explain the actual reason the Great
Pyramid of Giza exists, how and why it has existed for so long, and the story of its construction.
The builder of the Great Pyramid does not get enough credit for his unbelievable achievement. Khufu
(Also known as Cheops) was pharaoh for 24 years, 20 of which were occupied by the construction
of the pyramid. The Greeks of the period called him Cheops but his original Egyptian name was
Khufu. Despite building...show more content...
Until the 19th century it was the tallest building in the world and, at the age of 4,500 years, it is the
only one of the famous "Seven Wonders of the Ancient World" that still stands. It is the Great
Pyramid of Khufu, at Giza, Egypt.
Some of the earliest history of the Pyramid comes from a Greek traveler named Herodotus of
Halicanassus. He visited Egypt around 450 BC and included a description of the Great Pyramid in
a history book he wrote. Herodotus was told by his Egyptian guides that it took twenty–years for a
force of 100,000 oppressed slaves to build the pyramid. Stones were lifted into position by the use
of immense machines. The purpose of the structure, according to Herodotus's sources, was as a tomb
for the Pharaoh Khufu (whom the Greeks referred to as Cheops).
Most of what Herodotus tells us is probably false. Scientists calculate that fewer men and fewer
years were needed than Herodotus suggests. It also seems unlikely that slaves or complicated
machines were needed for the pyramid construction. It isn't surprising that the Greek historian got it
wrong. By the time he visited the site the great pyramid was already 20 centuries old, and much of
the truth about it was shrouded in the mists of history.
Certainly the idea that it was a tomb for a Pharaoh, though, seems in line with Egyptian practices.
For many centuries before and after

Egyptian Pyramids Essay
In the deserts of Egypt lie the colossal remains of an ancient civilization. These enormous works of
human endeavor are the only member of the Seven Ancient Wonders of the World that time has
passed down to us. These are, of course, the great pyramids of ancient Egypt. But these imposing
structures were not built to impress civilization millennia down the road. The pyramids in fact had a
purpose to the ancient Egyptians. While they seem very simple in nature, as they are simply
four–sided pyramids with square bases, they had a meaning for those that had them built. Even by
today's standards, the pyramids of ancient Egypt were an impressive feat of engineering, due to their
enormous size, both in building materials and finished product....show more content...
It was achievements such as these that gained Imhotep great respect among later Egyptians who
not only saw him as a great architect, but also "a magician, astronomer, and the father of the art of
medicine" (Edwards 35). Step pyramids are similar to the pyramids we know today, but instead of
being flat on all four sides, they have setbacks as they rise, giving the appearance of giant steps.
These step pyramids were not true pyramids, however, but by the second dynasty of the Old
Kingdom, true pyramids began to take shape. The now–ruined pyramid of Meidum is an early
example of a true pyramid. While the ruined core of the superstructure is the only thing that really
remains of this pyramid, archaeologists have deduced that it was originally built as a step pyramid,
and then later converted to a true pyramid by building over the steps, thereby flattening the sides
(Edwards 74–77). However, the evolution of the true pyramid was not without its flaws. One good
example of this is the Bent Pyramid at Dahshur. At the beginning of its existence, the pyramid was
supposed have a slope of 60 degrees. But when the pyramid was being built, cracks began to
develop in it, so the builders quickly compensated by giving the sides a shallower angle. However, it
appears they did not compensate enough, and another adjustment had to be

The Great Pyramid Essay
Outline
Thesis Statement: The Great Pyramid is a mystery to the modern age, even though its purpose, uses,
history, and condition have challenged explorers for centuries it will always be considered one of
the greatest wonders of the world.
1. Why was the Great Pyramid built?
A. Who built the Great Pyramid?
B. Why was it built?
C. Comparative theories.
2. What was the Great Pyramid used for?
A. Religious uses.
B. Astronomical uses.
C. Environmental uses.
3. How was the Great Pyramid built?
A. Workers.
B. Dimensions.
C. Surrounding community.
Why the Great Pyramid of Giza was built is a question that has been challenging archeologists,
philosophers, and historians...show more content...
Some theorists also believe that it may have been a combination of all these things. (v) According
to Egyptian and Sumerian mythology, there was a battle between two families of gods for
supremacy and control over the ancient lands and the pyramids of Giza were strategic strongholds
for the gods. (vi) The different shafts and chambers of the great pyramids are said to point to
various constellations that represent several Egyptian gods. (vii) It is also thought by some that the
pyramid may have been a place where Egyptians made a pilgrimage to honor the gods or their
pharaoh who, according to legend was a descendent of the gods. (viii) Scientists have discovered
that in the ceiling of the grand gallery the thirty–six ceiling stones were individually removable.
Because of this, it is believed that during the construction of the pyramid it could have been used
as a stellar observatory. They have also noticed unusual facts, such as the descending passage of the
pyramid pointed to the pole star Alpha Draconis, which was the North Star of that time period. The
southern shaft in the king's chamber pointed to the star Al Nitak which was associated with the god
Osiris. The southern shaft of the queen's chamber pointed to the star Sirius which was associated
with the god Isis. It has also been discovered that the Giza pyramids are a mirror reflection of the
Orion constellation.

Great Pyramid Of Giza Research Paper
The Great Pyramid of Giza is a fascinating and mysterious Wonder of the World. In fact, it is the
only ancient Wonder of the World still intact ("Great"). Today it is a very popular tourist attraction.
A museum exhibit at the Museum of Science and Industry even built a replica of the pyramid made
entirely of Legos ("Nelson"). There is much curiosity and many theories as to what (or whom) the
pyramid is for, and who built the gigantic structure. Explorers are doing whatever they can to
uncover its secrets from within. The size of the structure in itself is one of the most puzzling
mysteries of them all. Located ten miles west of Cairo, on the northern part of the Giza Plateau, the
pyramid stands at a towering four–hundred–four feet tall, with

Pyramids Research Paper
Pyramids A pyramid, by definition, is a type of ancient structure that is massive in scale and has a
square base with four sides that form a triangular shape. These pyramids were constructed
thousands of years ago and still stand strong. They were built by the ancient Egyptians, by
basically piling loads and loads of materials on top of each other in the shape of a pyramid. It
seems like a simple process but it was very time consuming and required a lot of analyzing to make
sure the pyramids turned out symmetrical. Since these pyramids are still in decent shape, it shows
how well they were built. The materials used to build these pyramids consisted of mostly stone,
wood, and copper. The egyptians were very limited when it came to supplies. The...show more
content...
These pharaohs were believed to live forever, even after death. The pyramids were supposed to
help them in be able to live in the afterlife. The dead pharaohs were mummified and then stored in
tombs inside the pyramids. Since the egyptians spent a great deal of time and effort into making
these pyramids, it shows how important the afterlife was to them. Building these pyramids was a
very important part of their life. Ziggurats, on the other hand, were not used to store dead bodies,
they was used for more religious and ceremonial purposes. Other pyramids, like the Aztec stepped
pyramid called the Templo Mayor, was used for rituals and was used to perform sacrifices. These
magnificent structures called pyramids, have had many purposes and importance to many. Not only
did they serve as tombs for important pharaohs, but they were a place for religious practice,
ceremony, and rituals. These structures hold great significance because they give us an insight as to
what the egyptians viewed as important in their lifetime. It gives us some history on ancient
egyptians and their abilities. The time and effort put into these structures show how significant they

Pyramid Essay

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