12 Facts about Egyptian Pyramids

The Egyptian pyramids are enduring examples of prehistoric engineering mastery and cultural importance. For centuries, these recognizable buildings have captivated people’s attention throughout the world, evoking wonder and curiosity.

We’ll explore 12 fascinating facts about the Egyptian pyramids in this article that provide insight into their building, history, and lasting significance.

Overview of Facts About Egyptian Pyramids

Sl.No.	Fact About Egyptian Pyramids
1	The Step Pyramid of Djoser is the oldest Egyptian pyramid.
2	The Red Pyramid is Egypt’s first true smooth-sided pyramid.
3	The three Giza Pyramids are precisely aligned with celestial bodies.
4	Hidden chambers within pyramids were believed to hold the soul of the deceased.
5	The world’s oldest known religious texts are inscribed within the pyramids.
6	Climbing the Great Pyramids is prohibited to preserve them.
7	Mud bricks were utilized in constructing the last Egyptian pyramid.
8	Originally, the pyramids were coated in white limestone, making them appear white.
9	An attempt to destroy Menkaure’s Pyramid was made by a Sultan but was unsuccessful.
10	Expert construction teams, not slaves, were responsible for building the pyramids.
11	The Great Pyramid of Khufu was constructed using approximately 2.3 million limestone blocks.
12	Despite centuries of study, there is still much to learn about the pyramids.

History of Egyptian Pyramids

With the construction of the Step Pyramid of Djoser in 2630 BCE, the history of Egyptian pyramids spans more than 4,500 years. These enormous constructions, which began as plain mastabas and developed into the recognizable pyramid shape we see today, were constructed as pharaohs’ tombs. The most well-known and substantial of them all is the Great Pyramid of Giza, built for Pharaoh Khufu and finished in 2560 BCE.

The pyramids demonstrated the sophisticated technical abilities and spiritual beliefs of the ancient Egyptians, serving as emblems of both royal authority and religious significance. They created a permanent legacy of magnificent buildings and signalled a turning point in Egyptian history.

12 Surprising Facts about the Egyptian Pyramids

Below we have included the 12 surprising facts about the Egyptian Pyramids

1. The oldest Egyptian pyramid is the Step Pyramid of Djoser

• The first pyramid constructed by the ancient Egyptians is the Step Pyramid of Djoser, which is also the oldest stone monument. Mud brick was used in the construction of earlier royal tombs.

• To supervise construction, Djoser procured limestone from the opposite side of the Nile River and granite from Aswan, in the far south for his vizier Imhotep.

• Within the pyramid, the King’s chamber was lined with Aswan granite. It’s possible that Djoser built the Step Pyramid to use it as a stairway to ascend from this life to the next.

2. Egypt’s first real pyramid with smooth sides was called the Red Pyramid.

• To guard their sarcophagi and direct them towards the sun in the afterlife, the pharaohs had the pyramids constructed. The earliest real pyramid in ancient Egypt, the Red Pyramid of Sneferu at Dahshur, has smooth sides.

• It was intended to mimic the rays of the sun. Due to its moderate slope and flattest pyramid in all of Ancient Egypt, thieves were able to easily walk around it and take the white limestone that covered the red below.

3. The Alignment of the Three Giza Pyramids

• The southeast corners of all three Giza pyramids are oriented diagonally, starting from the Great Pyramid of Khufu in the northeast of the necropolis and continuing to Khafre’s pyramid and the lesser pyramid of Menkaure in the southeast.

• The placement of the buildings was intentional, with each corner pointing straight towards the Temple of Ra at Heliopolis and in line with the constellation Orion. The 4th Dynasty pharaohs saw their tombs as a natural extension of the sun’s daily cycle, which was at the core of their religion. They also thought that they were directly descended from Ra.

4. A Hidden Chamber in Pyramids Held the Soul of the Dead

• An area known as Serdab was a secret room that was as significant to the pharaohs as their pyramid. A Serdab was positioned next to the mummy of the pharaoh, which housed his Ka statue—a sculpture believed to contain the king’s life essence after death.
• The ancient Egyptians thought that the pharaoh’s spirit might continue to exist inside the Ka statue if his mummy was destroyed. The Serdab and Ka statue played a crucial role in ensuring the pharaoh’s happy and tranquil afterlife, especially in light of the very real possibility of tombs being stolen and robbed.

5. The World’s Oldest Known Religious Texts Are Found in the Pyramids

• The Pyramid of King Unas in Saqqara was constructed 200 years after the Pyramid of Menkaure. The “Pyramid texts”—magical spells written in hieroglyphic form intended to aid King Unas’ spirit in departing his body and beginning its trip to the afterlife—were discovered and written on the walls of its burial chamber.

• The world’s earliest known religious writings, the pyramid texts have had a significant impact on our understanding of pharaohs and their duties in daily life. The first mention of Osiris, the deity of the Underworld, may also be found in the tablets of the Unas Pyramid.

6. The Great Pyramids Are Not Allowed to Be Climbed

• More often than you might imagine, visitors and residents of Cairo try to get to the summit of the Great Pyramid of Khufu. The majority are held or imprisoned on the spot and then released without being charged since, although it is not illegal, climbing the pyramids is forbidden in Egypt.

• A 16-year-old German visitor ascended the pyramid in just over eight minutes in 2016, but more recently, a resident threw rocks at the officials, breaking the wooden mast that measures the Great Pyramid’s height.

7. Mud bricks were used to construct the last Egyptian pyramid

• King Ahmose I constructed the final Royal Pyramid of Egypt at Abydos, which is located far to the south of the more well-known pyramids at Giza, Saqqara, and Dahshur.
• His pyramid was constructed with extremely steep sides, measured around 50 metres in height, and was part of a conventionally huge funeral complex.
• Because the Ahmose pyramid was mainly constructed of mud brick, which did not last over time like the enormous limestone stones used in pyramids further north, it crumbled into debris.

8. In Actuality, the Pyramids Were White

• Casing stones demonstrated the Egyptian pyramid builders’ accuracy. The stone we see today was covered by these white, polished limestone crowns. Their close locking together left each pyramid looking incredibly smooth and flat.

• Casing stones shone brightly like polished jewels, reflecting the sun like a mirror. Most of the casing stones have been lost or stolen, used to construct other monuments, or harmed by seismic activity, such as the great earthquake that occurred in Cairo in 1308 CE.

9. Menkaure’s Pyramid Was Tried to be Destroyed by a Sultan

• Al-Aziz Uthman, the son of Saladin and the second Ayyubid Sultan of Egypt attempted in vain to destroy the Great Pyramids of Giza in the twelfth century.
• Al-Aziz assembled an enormous labour force to demolish Menkaure’s temple, but the project was abandoned after a year due to the expense, duration, and extreme physical challenges posed by the pyramid stones and sand.
• The smallest great pyramid’s north face merely has a vertical gouge remaining from the Sultan’s attempts.

10. The Pyramids Were Constructed by Expert Construction Teams, Not Slaves

• The renowned Greek historian Herodotus wrote that slaves built the Great Pyramids; however, labourers, not slaves, constructed the structures.
• Entire cities were constructed next to the pyramids, where agricultural families would frequently labour on the incredible construction projects of the pharaoh while they awaited the growth of their crops.
• Archaeologists have recently discovered proof of the professional stonemasons and builders in these towns, along with their equipment.
• Worker graves have been investigated in Luxor and the Valley of the Kings, as well as in the vicinity of the Pyramids of Khufu and Khafre.

11. The Great Pyramid of Khufu was constructed with 2.3 million limestone blocks.

• It is estimated that more than 2.3 million blocks of limestone were utilised in the construction of the Great Pyramid of Khufu.
• Granite blocks, up to 50 tonnes in weight, were transported from Aswan in southern Egypt and buried with Khufu. It took more than 23 years to finish the Pyramid, and estimates indicate that labour teams would have placed 12 stones every hour on average over that period.
• More than 100,000 individuals were employed during the project’s duration, with at least 1000 at its peak.
• The Great Pyramid’s original entrance is 17 metres above the earth; however, visitors approach through the “robber tunnel,” which was built in 820 CE when men from the Sultan of Cairo broke in to steal the treasure.
• Up to 14 million tourists visit the Great Pyramid each year, bringing in over $9 billion for the local economy. Out of the original Seven Wonders of the World, it is the only one that is still standing.

12. We Still Have More to Learn

There are more questions the more we understand about the pyramids. There’s no hard proof to support any of the several hypotheses on how these enormous stones were moved into position and fastened, despite the existence of ramps and pulleys, water-powered stone sledges, rolling timber ramps, and enormous causeways.

• Despite knowing what materials the mortar made of to bond pyramid stones is comprised of, researchers have not been able to replicate it.
• Using satellite imaging and heat imaging, scientists have discovered what may be secret chambers, although they have not yet determined their contents or intended use. A great deal of the Great Egyptian Pyramids is still unknown to both experts and amateurs.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the history of the Egyptian pyramids bears witness to the creativity, skill, and religious convictions of the ancient Egyptian people. These enormous constructions took millennia to develop from modest mastabas to the famous pyramids that still amaze and inspire us today.

• The pyramids remain timeless representations of human achievement, acting as both pharaohs’ tombs and emblems of regal authority.

• Their building ushered in a revolutionary period in Egyptian history and left a stunning legacy of architectural wonders that enthral people worldwide. One of the most amazing civilizations in history has left a lasting legacy, as seen by the tale of the Egyptian pyramids.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How were the Egyptian pyramids constructed?

The Egyptian pyramids were constructed using massive limestone blocks quarried locally and transported to the construction site, where they were stacked with precision.

What was the purpose of building the pyramids?

The pyramids served as monumental tombs for Egyptian pharaohs and were believed to ensure their safe journey to the afterlife.

How many pyramids are there in Egypt?

There are over 100 pyramids in Egypt, varying in size and style, with the most famous ones located at Giza.

What materials were used in the construction of the pyramids?

The core of the pyramids was constructed using limestone blocks, while the outer casing was made of finer Tura limestone or granite.

What significance do the Egyptian pyramids hold in modern times?

The Egyptian pyramids continue to be symbols of ancient engineering prowess and cultural heritage, attracting millions of visitors and researchers from around the world.