English
The Great pyramids of Egypt are massive structures that were used by the ancient Egyptian pharaohs for religious purposes. The largest and most remarkable ones can be found grouped in pyramid fields to the west of the majestic river Nile, extending for a distance of twenty five miles.
The ancient Egyptians used large limestone blocks to get the great pyramids of Egypt built; a vast fleet of wooden boats was used to transfer these massive blocks from a quarry in Aswan (south Egypt) to the pyramid fields via the river Nile. It required a great skill to transport and lift these stone blocks, and to align them accurately in position. Until today it’s not clear how exactly the pharaohs managed to do this. The Ancient Egyptians were extremely organized, had a solid understanding of technology, science and mathematics that enabled them to create what has become known as one of the wonders of the ancient world.
The work went on in three monthly shifts with 30.000 workers per shift, and it took them 30 years to build the great pyramid of King Khufu. Originally the pyramids had a smooth structure on the outside that made them shine like stars, but throughout the thousands of years since construction, this has disappeared revealing the stone blocks underneath.
It is thought that the the great pyramids of Egypt were built by kings as tombs or memorials of themselves, but there are many theories and secrets regarding why the pharaoh kings built those pyramids. (Check the secrets of the pyramids section.)
Ancient pharaohs set the standard for what most people recognize as typical pyramid scheme; massive monuments with a square base and four smooth-sided triangular sides, raising to a point. It is thought that the ancient Egyptians chose this particular design for their pharaohs’ tombs because of their solar religion; the pharaoh sun god Ra known as the father of all pharaohs, was said to have created himself from a pyramid-shaped mound of earth before creating all other gods. The pyramid’s shape is actually symbolizing the rays of the sun.
