A Trip To The Pyramids Of Egypt Can Help Realize The Greatness Of Ancient Kings

By Author: Ramesh Vittal
Total Articles: 26
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The ancient Pyramids of Egypt are structures that were built using stone and are believed to be over 5000 years old. Most of these brilliant pieces of construction were built as tombs for the country’s Pharaohs and their wives. There are over 100’s of such Pyramids that have been excavated. The earliest known Pyramids are located Saqqara and northwest of Memphis, an ancient capital that now lies in ruins. Of these, the Pyramid of Djoser is considered to be the oldest which was constructed of stones that were to cut to size. The estimates of the number of workers it took to build this magnificent structure vary from a few thousands to hundreds of thousands. However, the most famous Pyramids are those found Giza on the outskirts of Cairo. Several of the structures built here are believed to be the largest ever constructed. The Pyramid of Kjufu is the largest and the only one of the original Seven Wonders of the World in existence today.

Imhotep is believed to have been the architect who designed and built these Pyramids.The meaning of Imhotep means “he who comes in peace, is with peace”. He was a master of several ...
... subjects like architecture, engineering and medicine. He served under the kind Djoser as a minister and high priest of the sun god Ra at Heliopolis. He carried a lengthy title before his name that described him as a minister, architect, builder, chief carpenter, and chief sculptor. He was depicted as part of the Pharaoh’s statue and was one of the few commoners to have been offered divine status after death. He was responsible for constructing the Step Pyramid of Djoser that had steps leading upwards and had the width decrease as the stairway progresses upwards. This was believed to make it easier for the King to ascend the steps leading to the heavens.

It is believed that the Pyramids were constructed as a sort of ‘resurrection machine’ that would one day assist the souls of the dead king’s reach the heavens through a narrow shaft found in the main burial chamber that extended up to the exact center of that part of the sky. However, today most of these Pyramids are found to be in a poor state of preservation and often get buried in the sand whenever there is a sandstorm.

Abu Rawash is another site that has a Pyramid that was built in memory of Djedefre, the son of Khufu and his successor. This is among the largest Pyramids that are in existence. This Pyramid that is located in Giza, is the only one to retain the polished surface of limestone, near its apex. Zayet el-Aryan is a site that halfway between Giza and Abu Sir is the location that has 2 unfinished Pyramids. The royals believed to be buried here are Pharaoh Nebke and Pharaoh Khaba also known as Hudjefa. It was stopped being built when it reached a height of 20 m, had it been completed, it would have reached double the height of 40 m.

Abu Sir has a total of fourteen pyramids which was the main burial site for the royals of the fourth Dynasty. As the prosperity of the kings diminished greatly, these were smaller in size and built with inferior quality limestone found locally. Of these the 3 major Pyramids are Niuserre, Neferirkare Kakai, and Sahure and also an incomplete Pyramid Neferefre. All these major Pyramids were buit as step pyramids.
Saqqara is a place where the Pyramid of Djoser, the Pyramid of Merykare and the Pyramid of Userkaf and the Pyramid of Teti are found. The Pyramid of Unas is considered the world’s oldest and the best-preserved monuments. It was subject to an ambitious attempt of restoration for which the son of Ramesses II was responsible.. More such interesting tourist centers of importance can be visited across the world., however just make sure that you secure your homes with ADT Security Systems so that you can have a peaceful vacation.

: Randy Collins is a freelance author and a frequent traveler who like to visit places that have historical importance; He makes sure that his house is protected with ADT Security Systems while he is away from home. ADT Security Systems