Explore the incredible giant tombs that have stood for over 4,000 years — wonders of the ancient world!
The Ancient Egyptians are most famous for the giant pyramids which they built as tombs for their deceased kings, known as the pharaohs. They were also built for other senior members of Egyptian society, such as the queens and the heads of the pharaohs' governments.
These tombs were built as huge pyramids of large stone blocks, often standing hundreds of feet high. They contained chambers and passageways, within which the body of the deceased would be placed, along with objects for them to use in the afterlife.
The Egyptians began building these pyramids in the early third millennium BC. The oldest surviving example is the pyramid of the Pharaoh Djoser, a pharaoh who reigned around 2650 BC. This is known today as the Step Pyramid Saqqara and was built in several tiers or steps next to the ancient city of Memphis near modern-day Cairo.
However, the most famous pyramids are those which were built near modern-day Giza on a plateau overlooking Cairo in the twenty-sixth and twenty-fifth centuries BC. These were built out of huge blocks of stone, which were transported to Giza on boats along the River Nile. Today, the stone is exposed on the outside, but in ancient times the outside was covered with fine limestone.
The pyramids of Ancient Egypt are some of the most incredible buildings ever created. These massive stone structures have survived for over 4,000 years, surviving earthquakes, sandstorms, and the test of time. They remind us of how clever and determined the Ancient Egyptians were — and they continue to amaze visitors from all around the world today!
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