The ancient Egyptians built pyramids as tombs for the pharaos and their queens. The pharaohs were buried in pyramids of many different shapes and sizes.The ancient Egyptians believed that it was important to be buried properly. A proper burial would allow them to live again in the afterlife. Thus, most people who could afford to, spent a lot of time and effort making sure that they would be buried well.Most ordinary ancient Egyptians were probably buried in the desert. Their relatives would wrap their body in a simple cloth and bury it with some everyday objects and food.Those with more wealth would be able to afford a bet ...view middle of the document...
This kind of tomb has an underground burial chamber and an above ground offering chapel. These tombs would contain the person's mummified body, as well as food, jewellery and special objects.In the third dynasty, a pharaoh named King Zoser had a large stone pyramid built by architect Imhotep at Saqqara called The Step Pyramid. This pyramid has many layers and looks like several mastabas stacked on top of each other. It was never covered with a stone to give it a smooth surface.The three largest and best-preserved of the pyramids were built at Giza during the Fourth Dynasty. The design of these pyramids was based on the pyramids that had been built before. These are the largest and pyramids that were ever built in ancient Egypt.The first and largest pyramid was built for the pharaoh Khufu (also known as Cheops).The second largest pyramid was built for Khufu's son, Khafra (also known as Chephren). In addition to the usual parts of a pyramid complex, Khafra's pyramid is guarded by a huge sphinx. Finally, the third largest pyramid was built for the pharaoh Menkaure (also known as Mycerinus).An it is 62,5 km high.As it became clear that the pyramids did not provide protection for the mummified bodies of the kings but were obvious targets for grave robbers, later kings were buried in hidden tombs cut into rock cliffs. Although the magnificent pyramids did not protect the bodies of the Egyptian kings who built them, the pyramids have served to keep the names and stories of those kings alive to this day.
