Image from here.
*Please note; the image above is in no way realistic and you should not base your beliefs of ancient Egypt upon it.
Did you know that lots of ancient societies had pyramids? Not just the Egyptians? Its true! The Aztecs and Mayans also had them! But, when you think of pyramids, you usually think of Egyptian pyramids.
Construction
The construction of pyramids is a very complex process! And its very impressive considering that it was done in the year 9000BCE (About 11000 years ago). The way the massive rock blocks that where used to build the pyramids where collected on its own was amazing. The rock around the block that they where trying to remove was pounded and pulverized by massive dolerite pounders. Then, large wood planks where pushed into the bottom of the block, and then where made wet. The wet wood expanded, the stone was cracked. Then, the block was dragged onto a oil covered slipway, where it would slide onto a boat. After the boat brought it to near the building site of the pyramid, the block could be dragged away and used for building. How did they drag these massive blocks? They had a massive sled-like contraption that could be used to drag the large blocks. And by wetting the sand in front of the sled, the sand didn't build up in front of the sled and block it. Once it was at the building cite of the pyramid, the stones where dragged up a series of ramps, and dropped into the place were they went. Then, the process was repeated with many more giant stones until the entire pyramid was built. Impressive. However, historians don't exactly know how the giant ramps where made. (I do, but I won't tell.) But they do know that the process involved raising the ramps gradually as the pyramid was built. After all on the stones were down, they were covered in smooth layer of limestone, which gave the pyramid a smooth look. Inside and sometimes under the pyramid, there was a series of tunnels and secret passages to make tomb robbers get lost.
This picture shows how the rocks are collected. You can see water being poured onto wooden planks in the background, and you can see one of the blocks being pulled away.
Pyramid technology
The ancient Egyptians had lots of technology that was very advanced for their time. One of which is the way they got the blocks out. They knew that wood expanded when wet, and they used that to break out the rocks. They carefully planned out where the boats where so that the rocks would slide right on, and not miss and fall off into the Nile. And the architects planned out how the pyramids would look so they would actually end up as pyramids, and not this;
The blocks where dragged up massive ramps to get them to the place where they would be placed on the pyramids. One theory on how the ramps where built is that they where made with mud bricks and coated in plaster to make them smooth. That theory states that then the ramps where expanded as the pyramid was built so that the blocks could slide right onto where they went. I won't tell you if its true, but if it is, then there was a lot of planning to make sure they would consistently support the block. That would be no big deal now, but back in the time of ancient Egypt, it was amazing!
The pyramid technology is so amazing that some people don't believe that the ancient Egyptians could have done it themselves, and that they had help from aliens...
*Please note; the image above is in no way realistic and you should not base your beliefs of ancient Egypt upon it.
Workers
You may think that Pharaohs forced slaves to waste away in the hot sun building the pyramids, and then get nothing in return. However, that was not the case. The people who worked on the pyramids where given clothes, food and water for free. They also received tax breaks, so they didn't have to pay taxes if they worked on the pyramids. While they where working, they lived in pyramid cities, where they could rest and be protected. It was not nearly as bad for the workers as you may think.
End result
After all that building, the Egyptians had a pyramid! The pyramids served as tombs for the pharaohs after they died. The mummified pharaoh and his belongings where placed in the pyramids. They have been declared one of the seven wonders of the world. Pretty cool, right?
Where are the pictures from?
Want to know where all of these great pictures are from? Just click on them to find out! (Except for the land physical features one, which has a link below it.)
Want your own great pictures? Click here. It takes you to this awesome website called Google images!
Want your own great pictures? Click here. It takes you to this awesome website called Google images!
Citations;
Penn State University. "How Were The Egyptian Pyramids Built?." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 29 March 2008. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080328104302.htm>.
Penn State University. "How Were The Egyptian Pyramids Built?." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 29 March 2008. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080328104302.htm>.
Thanks for reading!