Egyptian Pyramids

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Egyptian Pyramids
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Mastabas

• Mastabas were early one level tombs with sloping
  walls so that the flat roof was actually smaller
  than the base
• The word Mastaba comes from the Arabic word
  meaning stone bench
• Earliest were made of unfired mud brick
• Over time the interiors became more ornate, with
  decorative scenes (feasting, agriculture,
  dancing, etc.) to ensure the dead would want for
  nothing in the afterlife

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Step Pyramid

• The first pyramid built by Pharaoh named Djoser
• Located at Saqqara near Memphis
• Built by architect Imhotep regarded as the
  father of Egyptian architecture, sculpture and
  Medicine
• Step pyramid had 6 tiers
• Based on mastaba construction smaller mastaba
  placed on top of larger ones
• Djoser is buried under the pyramid in a burial
  chamber

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Bent Pyramid

• The Bent pyramid is a pyramid started that
  started at one angle (approx. 52 degrees) and
  then suddenly changes to a more gradual angle of
  43 degrees. This odd arrangement provides this
  pyramid with a distinctive and unique appearance.
  There are several possible reasons for this
  change in angle. Currently, the most widely
  accepted theory is that King Sneferu realized
  that if he were to continue the pyramid at its
  initial angle, it would rise to a height which
  would require a tremendous amount of material and
  labor. Another theory holds that the original
  angle resulted in displacement of many blocks and
  cracking of the blocks that lined the chambers
  and passageways. This theory continues that the
  gentler angle was employed to reduce the amount
  of weight to be added above these chambers and
  passageways.

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Pyramids of Giza

• Only 7th Wonder of the Ancient World still
  standing
• Every pyramid has been plundered
• The pyramid was the vessel in which the pharaoh
  ascended into the heavens and the afterlife.
• The pyramids at Giza were built on a limestone
  plateau to be higher than the Nile flood plain.
  
• Pyramids were built using basic tools and
  equipment

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The Great Pyramid

• Built for Pharaoh Khufu (son of Snerfu bent
  pyramid guy)
• Located at Giza near Cairo
• True pyramid smooth sides and limestone casing
• Limestone later stolen and used to build Cairo
• Burial chamber and inner passages made of
  granite
• Took over 20 years to complete

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Pyramid of Khafra

• Son of Khufu
• Only pyramid with any limestone casing left
• Looks larger than Khufu, but actually built on
  higher ground giving it the impression of being
  bigger
• Large red granite sarcophagus still in the burial
  chamber
• Sphinx stands in front of Khafras pyramid

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Sphinx
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Pyramid of Menkaure

• Son of Khafra
• Smallest of the three pyramids
• Last pharaoh to be buried at Giza

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Notes on Pyramids

• Means House of Eternity
• Comes from Greek word pyramis meaning wheat
  cake
• Ancient Egyptians called them mer
•     Built on west bank of Nile sun sets in west
  land of the dead
•    Designed to protect the body of the pharaoh
  from
• Thieves
• Wild animals
• Floods
• Building pyramids
• farmers worked on pyramids during flood season
  (3 months a year) upwards of 100,000 farmers and
  4,00 stone masons
• copper tools to cut out granite and limestone
• wooden sleds to move block
• built ramps of mud and stone to move block up
  pyramid
• Top of pyramid capped with a pyramidion (Greek)
  or benben (Egypt.)

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Valley of the Kings

• Due to the fact that all of the pyramids were
  pillaged and robbed (70 known pyramids)
  Egyptians looked for an alternative to ensure a
  good afterlife for their pharaohs Began
  building tombs in the Valley of the Kings

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The End