Pyramids History

Pyramids History::-

The first historically documented Egyptian pyramid is attributed to the architect Imhotep, who planned what Egyptologists believe to be a tomb for the pharaoh Djoser. Amenhotep is given the credit for being the first to

conceive the notion of stacking mastabas on top of each other — creating an edifice composed of a number of “steps” that decreased in size towards its apex.  The Step Pyramid of Djoser was the result — which was designed to serve as a huge stairway by which the soul of the deceased pharaoh could move to the heavens. Such was the importance of Imhotep’s achievement that he was deified by later Egyptians.

The most prolific pyramid-building phase coincided with the greatest degree of absolutist pharaonic rule.  The most famous pyramids, those near Giza, were built during this time. Over time, as authority became less centralized, the ability and willingness to gather the resources required for construction on a massive scale decreased, and later pyramids were smaller, less well-built, and often hurriedly constructed.

When the Great Pyramid of Egypt was built it was 146 meters (438 feet) high. Time has worn the pyramid down by 10 meters (30 feet) and it still continues to erode. The pyramid was once covered with limestone that was painted a bright red color. The sides of the pyramid are carefully positioned to point north, south, east, and west. The bottom of the pyramid has sides that measure 227 meters (681 feet) in length. It was designed so precise that the error margin between the sides is less then 1 percent.

It belonged to the Pharaoh Khufu and once held his body. The pyramid is made up of approximately two million blocks of limestone with each weighing more than two tons.  This pyramid today is the last wonder of the world that is still standing.

The Second Pyramid belongs to the Pharaoh Khafre. Unlike the pyramid of Khufu, the angle of this pyramid is 53 degrees. This pyramid is three meters shorter then Khufu’s and stands on the northern side of the Giza Plateau. The top of the pyramid has some limestone left with a white cap on top of the pyramid that can be still seen. This large tomb had been looted before archeologists found it.

The Third Pyramid or the The pyramid of Menkaure  is the smallest of the three pyramids. Its design is not as well detailed as the other two pyramids. Although the pyramid was not complete when Menkaure died, his son Shepseskaf took the task to finish the large project. This pyramid stands 66 meters high.

Pyramids Visitor Information

The Pyramids are open from 8am-4pm (until 5pm summer) daily. They are free to walk around and see. You will only need to pay a fee if you wish to enter the Pyramids or one of the other sites around the Pyramids. However, if you just want photos, all that costs is a cab ride!

Getting around the pyramids is easy enough, you can walk, take a horse and buggy or take a camel ride. You can go inside the pyramids, but beware if you suffer from claustrophobia. The climbs are very steep and narrow so your knees have to be in good shape. You have to get a separate ticket to enter the pyramids and they are limited to 300 per day so get there early.

A taxi from the center of Cairo is probably the easiest way to get to the Pyramids, although mini and micro buses also make frequent trips. An air-conditioned bus also departs regularly from the Midan Tahrir. For advice on getting to the Pyramids from other parts of Egypt.

Some of the most popular Pyramids include:

• Step Pyramid of Djoser- Also known as Egypt’s first Pyramid. 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., it had risen to six stepped layers and stood 204 feet (62 meters) high. It was the largest building of its time.

• Maidum Pyramid – Likely influenced by the Step Pyramid, Snefru, the first king of the 4th dynasty , constructed a seven-level stepped pyramid some 35 miles (56 kilometers) south of Saqqara. The was also the first Egyptian pyramid with an above ground burial chamber.

• Great Pyramid or Khufu’s Pyramid – The Great Pyramid is the largest and best known of the three Old Kingdom pyramids located on the Giza Plateau in Egypt, built during the reign of the Pharaoh Khufu between 2589 and 2566 BC.

• The Bent Pyramid – The Bent Pyramid is one of the Old Kingdom Pyramids at Giza, Egypt; built in the 4th Dynasty, 2680-2565 B.C. for the 4th dynasty pharaoh, Sneferu.

Pyramids Conservation Efforts
Several years ago, a master plan was drawn up to manage and restore the monuments of Giza in four phases. Most of the phases have been completed. The main threats of old to the sites are no longer relevant. Today most of the threats come from the sands, pollution, and over tourism.

The final phase is a 10-15 year program of maintenance and research. It includes staff training to provide adequately knowledgeable personnel to administer the site, to provide up-to-date conservation whenever necessary and to continue the clearing and research programs which will enhance the site for visitors and scholars. There is also to be a re-excavation and clearing, especially in the cemeteries of the nobles to the east and west of the Great Pyramid.

Finally, mapping and excavation of the area south and west of the Third Pyramid where tumbled debris from the pyramid has never been cleared. This needs skilled photogrammetric planning before removing fallen blocks which may be covering long-sought-after evidence of building ramps and construction methods.