Ancient Egypt and Pyramids

The Great Pyramids are considered a wonder of architecture.

From before the beginning of the Old Kingdom period in Egypt, as far back as 2686 BCE, the ancient Egyptians built pyramids as towering monuments and tombs to house their pharaohs and queens after death. More than 80 pyramids remain today.

Pyramids and the Afterlife

The "ancient Egyptians believed that when the pharaoh died, he became Osiris, king of the dead" in the afterlife, according to the National Geographic website. But they also believed that a part of his soul, or ka, remained in his body. This remaining part of his soul needed to be cared for, or the departed pharaoh would not be able to carry out his duties as king of the dead. If this happened, disaster would strike all over Egypt.

To care for their pharaohs and provide a shelter for their bodies, the Egyptians mummified the bodies and built the pyramids to house the mummies.

Architecture of the Pyramids

The Egyptians didn't always build pyramids for their pharaohs. The distinctive pyramid shape developed later, and may be based on a sacred, pointed stone known as a benben, which symbolized the rays of the sun, on which the pharaohs were supposed to ascend to the heavens after death, according to National Geographic.

Building of the Pyramids

Contrary to popular belief, slaves didn't build the pyramids. Regular Egyptian villagers, supervised by the pharaoh's overseers, were responsible for the construction. Building each pyramid took an incredible investment of time and money. The Great Pyramid at Giza took over 80 years and the combined efforts of 20,000 to 30,000 workers to construct.

References

• British Museum: Ancient Egypt: Pyramids
• National Geographic: Pyramids