The PyramidsBy Charlotte

Why were pyramids built?

Pyramids were the burial chambers for the pharaohs. Egyptians built in a certain way so that the pharaoh‘s body would be protected forever. Before the pyramids were invented, the Egyptians built flat-topped mud brick tombs called mastabas. These were less secure than the pyramids.

Who was involved in building the pyramids?

Most people think pyramids were built only by slaves. Thus, however is not completely true: there were a lot more people involved in building a pyramid. Stonecutters, masons, surveyors, carpenters and general laborers were in charge of building the pyramid. Building a pyramid was very important, as it was going to be the pharaoh’s eternal house, so every measurement had to be precise.

Where in Egypt were the pyramids built?

The pyramids were always built on the western side of the Nile river. The Egyptians did this because they thought that once their pharaoh was in his tomb, he would travel west with the sun god Ra. Egyptians built their towns on the east side of the Nile river.

What did pyramids look like?

Pyramids were four-sided triangles. Pyramids were built in a triangle for one reason. The shape represented the sun god’s sun rays falling on the earth.

How were pyramids built?

Pyramids were built by hand. Pyramid blocks were moved by placing logs under them. Once the block was mounted onto the logs, the Egyptians tied ropes around them, and pulled. They always carried the last log to the front of the bricks, so that it kept moving. There are over 90 pyramids in Egypt.

Why did the Egyptians stop building pyramids?

After a while, Egyptians realized that grave robbers had robbed most of the pyramids. Therefore, they stopped building pyramids a buried their pharaoh in the valley of kings. They thought that the pharaoh’s body would be better protected in the valley of kings.