Great Pyramids of Egypt

Pyramids, unique constructions found only in Egypt, were built as the burial sites of ancient Egyptian rulers known as the Pharaohs. There are a total of 138 pyramids in Egypt at the last count made in the year 2008. All the structures date back to the Old and Middle Kingdom dynasties in the North African country. The pyramids of Egypt, built as tombs in the memory of the rulers of Egypt, have perhaps been the most historically researched sites in the world.

For ages, historians have tried to decipher the techniques used for building these huge structures, the material used and the contents stored inside the pyramids. It is said that several workers, ranging between thousands and lakhs, had to toil for days and nights to construct the pyramids, which have now been listed as one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Among the great pyramids of Egypt, the most famous is the Great Pyramid of Giza, built as the tomb of Pharaoh Khufu.

Historical Significance of the Pyramid Construction

The rulers of Egypt were always known to be buried in brick structures from the very early periods of the Egyptian dynasty. In ancient Egypt, the tombs were bench-like in shape and were known as mastabas. It was towards the end of the Old Egyptian kingdom that an architect named Imhotep built a different-looking burial site for Pharaoh Djoser. This was the first instance of pyramids in the history of Egypt. The first pyramid though did not have the shape of a modern-day pyramid. Imhotep built mastabas and placed them on top of one another in steps that decreased in size as one went towards the top. Imhotep’s construction came to be known as the ‘Step Pyramid of Djoser’, and it was based on this construction that architects in the later ages built tombs for the Pharaohs.

It was soon after the construction of the Djoser’s Pyramid that the pyramids of Giza were built. After the end of the period during which the Giza Pyramids were built, the later periods were characterized by decreasing number of laborers required for construction of pyramids and decline in the quality of material need to build the pyramid. Therefore after the end of the Middle Kingdom of Egypt, the pyramids were small in size, thus taking far less time that the earlier pyramids. After several years, it was in present-day Sudan that the construction of pyramids was started again.

There have been several researches on the unique shape of Egypt’s famous construction, the pyramid. According to reports in history, this shape symbolizes the primordial mound from which, according to Egyptians, the earth came into existence. The shape of pyramids has also been compared to the rays of the setting sun. It was a rule in ancient and Middle Ages to use limestone as one of the construction materials of a pyramid. The rulers were of the opinion that limestone would shine due to the reflection caused by the sun’s rays and hence could be spotted from a distance. Another important theory associated with pyramids says that they were not intended to be burial sites, rather they were meant to be ‘resurrection machines’. It was a rule in Egypt that every pyramid constructed on the Egyptian land had to be built on the western banks of the river Nile. It was on the western side of the Nile that the setting sun’s rays touched the Egypt soil and the setting sun was often associated with the dying in the North African country. It has also been pointed out by various historians that a narrow shaft extending from the burial place inside the pyramids directly points to that part of the night sky where stars revolve around a dark area. This point in the night sky, in Egyptian mythology, was known as the gateway to heaven; therefore it was believed that a Pharaoh’s soul directly left the abode made for it in the form of a pyramid and traveled to heaven.

Pyramid Sites in Egypt

The pyramids of Egypt are spread all over the country. Let us take a look at some of the most famous places of Egypt known for their pyramids and hence for their huge tourist influx every year.

• Giza
  Giza is home to three pyramids in Egypt. The Great Pyramid of Giza is the largest and the oldest pyramid of the country. This pyramid was built in honor of Pharaoh Khufu. Not only is the Giza Pyramid the most popular tourist site in Egypt, it is also one of the Seven Wonders of the World. It is also one of the rare sights in Egypt that has remained almost intact in spite of centuries having passed since its construction. The Pyramid of Khafre, also located in Giza, appears larger that the Pyramid of Khufu to the naked eye because of the elevated construction technique and the location. In reality, the Great Pyramid of Giza is the larger by a huge margin when compared to any other pyramid in Egypt.




• Abu Rawash
  This is the pyramid site located at the northernmost part of Egypt. The Pyramid of Djedefre, the successor of Pharaoh Khufu is located here. Earlier thought to be incomplete, the Abu Rawash pyramid was declared complete in recent archaeological surveys. It was easy to obtain construction materials for building this pyramid, because quarrying was an important activity in this part of ancient Egypt.

• Abu Sir
  A total of fourteen pyramids are located in this site. All the fourteen pyramids had been built in the Fifth Dynasty of Egyptian rulers. Historians have revealed that the quality and height of the pyramids in Abu Sir were inferior as compared to that of the other sites in Egypt. This aspect, they say, was related to the sudden decline in the power of the royals in Egypt over the common man. The pyramids of Niuserre, Neferirkare Kakai and Sahure are important tourist sites here.




• Dahshur
  This is perhaps the newest among pyramids sites in Egypt. Dahshur opened its doors for public viewing in the year 1996 after the military base located here was demolished. Since then, tourists have been traveling to Dahshur in large numbers each year. The Bent Pyramid or the Pyramid of Snofru located in this site was the first such pyramid of Egypt that was built as a smooth-sided pyramid from the very first day of its construction; all the pyramids built before were smoothened by a limestone covering after the end of the construction of the steps. Therefore the Pyramid of Snofru is also considered the first among contemporary pyramids in Egypt.




• El-Lahun
  On a tour of the great pyramids in Egypt, you will come across the Pyramid of Senusret II if you travel to the southernmost part of Egypt, el-Lahun. This too is one of the modern pyramid architectures of Egypt, where the workers lessened their work to a large degree by using a limestone wall standing tall at 12 meters as the foundation of the pyramid. The limestone wall is visible as the yellow base of the Pyramid of Senusret II.




• Other pyramid destinations in Egypt are:
  Abu Rawash
  Zawyet el-Aryan
  Saqqara
  Mazghuna
  Lisht
  Meidum
  Hawara

 

Best Time to Visit Great Pyramids of Egypt

The winter months between November to March are the best time of the year to travel to Egypt and its surroundings. The Egyptian summers can be every hot and humid, thereby discouraging touring the different sites.

Hotels near the Great Pyramids of Egypt

To make your journey to the ancient Egyptian pyramids sites more memorable, stay in the best hotels of the region and get pampered by the services offered. Here is a list of the best hotels where you can stay if you wish to spend your next vacation watching the great pyramids of Egypt.

 

• Mena House Oberoi
  Pyramids’ Road, Giza, Cairo, Egypt
  Ph No. 20-2-33-77-3222

• Pyramids Park Resort
  Alexandria Desert Road, P.O. Box 70, Giza Egypt, 12561, Egypt
  Ph No. 1-800-230-4134

• Pharaoh Egypt Hotel
  11 Ahmed Orabi St. Mohandeseen Giza Cairo Egypt, Cairo, 12411 Egypt
  Ph No. 1-800-997-5149

• Royal Garden Hotel
  13 Helmeiat Al Ahram Street, Giza
  Ph No. 2-781-2211

• Le Meridien Pyramids Hotel & Spa
  El Ramaya Square, Al Jizah
  Ph No. 12561

Travel to North Africa and enjoy the great pyramids of Egypt!