Archaeological investigations have dismantled some of the myths surrounding the construction of the Great Pyramid of Cheops, and nowadays they have been joined by the empirical sciences, with several experiments that are testing some methods that may have been used by the builders of the mysterious pyramids.

diagram of an ancient pyramid from bbc.co.We have Hollywood to thank-and perhaps also Asterix-for the classic image of the construction of the Egyptian pyramids: a legion of slaves breaking their backs to drag impossibly huge rock blocks under the lash of a whip.

Pyramids in relation with the Noble Quraan (Quran).

Pyramids of Giza colour satellite imagery Archived at the Wayback Machine (Wikimapia - Google maps).

– Photographs and information on Egyptian pyramids.

ANCIENT EGYPT - History & Chronology – A site detailing the major pyramid sites of ancient Egypt and Nubia (Sudan).

Ancient Egyptian History - A comprehensive & consise educational website focusing on the basic and the advanced in all aspects of Ancient Egypt.

Ancient Authors – A site that quotes descriptions of the 'Labyrinth' of Amenemhet III's pyramid at el-Lahun by various ancient authors.

Pyramids of Egypt – Comprehensive site by an Egyptian archaeology enthusiast that includes spectacular photographs of dozens of pyramids.

Old Kingdom Pyramids of Egypt - Aldokkan.

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Pyramids of Egypt.

↑ Michael Ritter (2003) Archived at the Wayback Machine Dating the Pyramids.

'The Great Pyramid of Khufu is the largest pyramid in Egypt and was the tallest man-made structure in the world until 1888.' Each pyramid is identified by the pharaoh who ordered it built, their approximate reign and its place. The following table lays out the dates of construction of most of the major pyramids. The best-known of these pyramids was built for the pharaoh Khufu. The three largest and best-preserved of these were built at Giza in the Old Kingdom. There are about eighty pyramids known today from ancient Egypt. The nobles wanted to be buried close to their pharaoh so that they would stay close to him in the next life.Ĭonstruction dates Surrounding the pyramid there are several hundred mastaba tombs of nobles. Some experts believe that this may have been built as a symbolic tomb for Khufu's ka (spirit). These pyramids were built for Khufu's queens.Ī small satellite pyramid was built near the queens' pyramids. Three small pyramids were built on the eastern side of the great pyramid.

The pharaohs were buried in pyramids of different sizes from before the beginning of the Old Kingdom to the end of the Middle Kingdom.

The ancient Egyptians built pyramids as tombs for the pharaohs and their queens. Some casing blocks still remain on the top of the pyramid next to Khufu's (belonging to Khafra). The casing blocks from the Great Pyramid of Giza were all removed in the 14th and 15th centuries A.D. Some capstones were covered with metal leaf. Each casing block was then trimmed so that the outer surface of the pyramid would be smooth and white. The top layers were casing blocks of especially good white limestone laid on top of the main blocks. The pyramid were mostly made of limestone. Most were built during the Old and Middle Kingdom periods. The Pyramids of Egypt are among the largest structures ever built and are one of the most important examples of Ancient Egyptian civilisation. The three smaller pyramids in the foreground are associated with Menkaure's pyramid.

From right to left are the Great Pyramid of Khufu, the Pyramid of Khafre and the Pyramid of Menkaure.

A view of the pyramids at Giza from the plateau to the south of the complex.

Simple pyramids