The ancient Egyptians built pyramids as tombs for the pharaohs
and their queens.And it was the exclusive privilege to have the Pyramid tomb.The pharaoh were buried in pyramids of many different
shapes and sizes from before the beginning of the old kingdom to
the end of the middle kingdom.Today there more than 93 Pyramids in Egypt,the most famous ones
are those at Giza.
Khufu's Pyramid is built entirely of limestone,and is considered an architectural masterpiece.
It contains around 1,300,000 blocks ranging in weight from 2.5 ton to 15 ton and is built on square base it with sides measuring 230m(755),covering 13 acres.
Its 4 sides face 4 the cardinal points precisely and it has an angle of 52 degrees.
The pharaoh Khufu,like the pharaohs before him,begin planning his 'house of eternity'
as soon as he took the throne.
cemeteries were usually built on the west bank because the sun 'died' west
horizon every night.
Khufu's architect knew the importance of building the pharaoh's final resting place
so that its sides faced directly north,south,east and west.
They planned a largest one outlines of the pyramid were measured and marked in the desert sand.
Then the building began.
Large blocks of stone were cut from quarries nearby.
They were dragged by groups of men across the desert to the side of the pyramid
and set in place.
Most of the workers were farmers who worked on building the pyramid during the flood season
when their fields were under water.
After the first level was in place,the workers built ramps of mudbrick,limestone chips and clay.
The workers dragged the large stones up the ramps to build the next level of the pyramid.
For about 20 years,hundreds of men worked on building the pyramid.
As they built each level,they also built the ramps around the pyramid.
When the pyramid was almost finished,a special block covered in shining metal was placed
on the top of the pyramid.
Then,blocks of white limestone from quarries across the Nile were used to
cover the pyramid.
The blocks were trimmed to make the outside of the pyramid smooth.
Finally,the pyramid was finished.
Khufu's pyramid was only part of the complex built for him.
Another parts of this complex:
-Three pyramids for Khufu's queens.
-Several deep pits containing boats that had been buried.
-A mortuary temple where Khufu would be worshipped after he died.
-A causeway leading from the pyramid complex down to the valley temple.
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