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Cairo Pyramids
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[Home Page]The following information lists some of the more famous pyramid sites you will want to visit.
SightseeingThe Pyramids of Giza.
The most famous structure in the world was built by King Cheops (IV Dynasty) around 2650 B.C., on an area of 13 feddans. Its height now is 137 ms (original height: 146 ms). Almost 2.5 million blocks of stone were put into building this pyramid, which measure 230 ms square at the base. All this, however, dwindles when compared to the precision and astounding ability of the ancien Egyptian in building this pyramid.
Close to the eastern flank of the Pyramid of Cheops lie three small pyramids dedicated either to his wives or family members.
The Second Pyramid.
Built by Kephren, south-west of his father's pyramid though lower in height: 136 ms, it still retains, on some of its upper parts, the remains of th elimestone that had once covered it all. At the base, it measures 215.5 ms square. Its interior is simple, with two entrances on the north side. The Second Pyramid, like all other pyramids, had an exterior covering of fine-grain limestone. Now, only a small part of this covering remains.
The visitor can also still see the remains of his mortuary temple, the Temple of the Valley, and rising causeway. These temples witnessed the religious rites during the embalming of the body.
The Third Pyramid.
Built by Mycerinus (Menkaure), south-west of the Great and Second Pyramids. It is much smaller than either one (62 ms). It is distinguished by the fact that the lower part of its sides still retain their granite slab coverings. The Ancient Egyptians, it must be note, built the pyramids to be tombs to preserve the bodies of their dead kings, especially that they believed in resurrection and immortality.
The three Pyramids of Giza are surrounded by several small pyramids, and hundreds of mastaba-tombs of the royal family, nobles and high-ranking people.
The Pyramid of Saqqara.
Saqqara is th oldest Ancient Egyptian cemetery. It lies on a desert plateau, south-west of Cairo. Above rises the step-pyramid and mortuary compound, built by the engineer Imhotep for King Zoser the first of the III Dynasty pharaohs. It is of the mastaba-type. The pyramid is compsed of six receding mastabas on top of each other. The later pyramid builders developed this concept into the familiar even-sided pyramids. The step-pyramids measures 123.5 by 107 ms at the base and about 59 ms in height.
The Pyramid of Unas.
South of the Step-Pyramid, lies the Pyramid of Unas, last of the V Dynasty pharaohs. This pyramid is noted for its tomb chamber whose walls are inscribed with what is known as the "Pyramid Texts", and whose ceiling is decorated with stars that seem to sparkel above the royal mummy.
Near to the Pyramid of Unas lies the Persian Shaft, a tomb of XXVI Dynasty known as the "Persian Dynasty". The Shaft is 25 ms deep and at the bottom lie several tomb chambers.
