The Egyptian pyramids, located in Egypt, are impressive ancient masonry structures that resemble pyramids. They are famous worldwide as one of the seven wonders of the modern world. As of 2008, a total of 138 pyramids had been discovered in Egypt. These pyramids were primarily built as tombs for the Pharaohs and their partners during the Old and Middle Kingdom periods. The oldest Egyptian pyramids can be seen at Saqqara in northwest Memphis, which includes the Pyramid of Djoser. It is estimated that a large number of workers, ranging from several thousand to 100,000 individuals, took part in constructing these magnificent buildings.
The Giza pyramids, located near Cairo in Egypt, are renowned for being colossal structures. Among them, the Pyramid of Khufu is acknowledged as Egypt’s largest pyramid.
These pyramids were specifically built as magnificent tombs for the pharaohs, ensuring everlasting safeguarding for their bodies. Like other Ancient Egyptians, the pharaohs meticulously planned for their own demise.
The death of the pharaoh in ancient Egypt was a highly significant event, surpassing the customary rituals, and was intrinsically linked to the movements of the sun. In life, the pharaoh symbolized Horus, but in death he assumed the role of Osiris. As Osiris, the pharaoh would mark the setting of the sun while his son, who resembled Horus, would usher in its rise. This tradition endured for centuries to prevent any disruption to the cosmic order, emphasizing the necessity for the pharaoh’s eternal protection. Additionally, the pharaoh perceived his demise as a continuation of his journey towards everlasting life.
The pharaoh’s physical body had to be preserved and identifiable for their spirit to become a “being” of the afterworld, leading to the mummification process. This process involved embalming and wrapping the body in fine linen. Once mummification was finished, the pharaoh was interred with their most valuable possessions, including jewelry, funerary statues, and items to assist in their afterlife. The construction of pyramids involved using massive blocks of limestone and granite, each weighing over two tons, which were extracted from nearby desert quarries.
The stones were transported via boats down the Nile and hauled on a granite causeway from the river to the leveled site using ropes, sledges, and muscle. There is still uncertainty about the exact method used to lift these heavy stones into place during the construction of the pyramids. The prevailing belief is that they were raised through a massive earthen ramp and positioned layer by layer. When observing the pyramids today, we can acknowledge that the ancient Egyptians, who existed around 5,000 years ago, were incredibly skilled engineers.
They demonstrated an impressive expertise in technical skills, despite using the most challenging stones and lacking metal tools. However, it is important to note that the construction of these immense stone structures could not have been accomplished without the contribution of tens of thousands of laborers. Among them were permanent craftsmen stationed at the site, as well as a significantly larger workforce consisting of peasant farmers, who were enlisted for royal projects when their fields were submerged during the flood season and they had free time available. One distinct motivating factor for workers involved in pyramid construction was a unique incentive: robbery.
The ancient Egyptians constructed pyramids to safeguard the pharaoh in the afterlife, aiming to discourage thieves. Despite these measures, robbers managed to infiltrate the pyramids and harm the pharaohs’ bodies while stealing their precious possessions gradually. Consequently, due to this continuous devastation, the pharaohs chose to halt pyramid construction and instead opted for concealed tombs in a desolate region called “The Valley of the Kings,” situated close to the ancient city of Thebes.
Hidden rock-cut tombs were discovered to contain the extravagant treasures from the pyramids, many of which were looted. However, during the 21st dynasty, royal mummies were relocated to a concealed location where they remained undiscovered until about a century ago. EGYPT PYRAMID SECRETS
Research has demonstrated movement of turbulent energy emanating from the apex of the chamber. The existence of a hierarchy within a magnetic field change suggests that a magnetic field can hinder the impact of electricity or modify the magnetic field. This implies the presence of an electromagnetic field within the pyramid. These are among the discoveries made by scientists regarding the secrets of pyramids:
• Jewelry and coins that have been oxidized can be re-polished.
• Milk can be kept fresh for several days and can be turned into yogurt after it changes. Sour milk, when placed inside a geometric shape that is not a pyramid, can result in the milk producers designing containers to save the hierarchy.
• Dried flowers retain their shape, color, and smell.
• Wounds, blisters, and burns heal more quickly when presented to the area of energy hierarchy. Dental pain, migraine headaches, and rheumatism pain also fade away.
• Plants grow faster inside a pyramid compared to outside.
• Facial wash water placed inside the pyramid rejuvenates the skin, removes wrinkles, and restores youthfulness and freshness.
• Food items placed inside the pyramid maintain their original flavor and pleasant smell for a longer period than when placed outside it.
Khufu, also known as Cheops, was the son of Snefru and the second ruler of the 4th dynasty. He decided to move the royal necropolis to Giza, which is north of present-day Cairo. According to Herodotus, an ancient Greek historian, Khufu forced his people into slavery to build his pyramid. At the Giza Plateau, Khufu’s builders carefully aligned his pyramid almost perfectly northward. This pyramid is notable for being the largest ever built and consists of approximately 2.3 million stone blocks weighing between 2.5 and 15 tons each. It is estimated that workers had to place a block every two and a half minutes.
The pyramid is comprised of three burial chambers. The initial chamber is located underground and was carved into the bedrock. The secondary chamber, known as the queen’s chamber by early explorers, was actually not meant to be a burial place for one of Khufu’s wives. Instead, it may have housed a sacred statue of the king himself. The third chamber is referred to as the king’s chamber and it contained a red granite sarcophagus positioned almost precisely at the pyramid’s center. Access to the king’s chamber is gained through the Grand Gallery, a 26-foot-high (8-meter-high) passage. This passage was protected from potential thieves by sliding granite blocking systems.
The central structure in a complex arrangement was the Great Pyramid, also known as the Egyptian Pyramid of Khufu. This arrangement consisted of small pyramids, boat pits, a mortuary temple, a causeway, a valley temple, and tombs for officials and select members of the royal family. Located west of Giza in the desert, it was accompanied by the pyramids of Khafre and Menkaure – Khufu’s son and grandson. The construction of the Great Pyramid lasted around twenty to thirty years under Khufu’s reign (2551 BC-2528 BC).
Pharaoh Khufu initiated the first Giza pyramid project approximately in 2550 B.C. The Great Pyramid, his creation, is Giza’s largest structure and stands about 481 feet (147 meters) tall on the plateau. This impressive construction consists of around 2.3 million stone blocks, weighing between 2.5 to 15 tons each.
In approximately 2520 B.C., Pharaoh Khafre followed his father’s footsteps and started constructing the second pyramid in Giza. Adjacent to his burial complex emerged the mysterious Sphinx—a magnificent statue with a lion’s body and a pharaoh’s head. It is possible that this Sphinx served as a protector for the entire tomb complex intended for the pharaoh.
Giza’s third pyramid is comparatively smaller than its predecessors.
The pyramid at Giza, which was built by Pharaoh Menkaure in approximately 2490 B.C., had a complex of structures including a mortuary temple, palace, temples, solar boat pits, and other buildings. The construction of the pyramids remains a mystery to scientists today due to their impressive engineering. However, studying these structures has provided researchers with valuable information about the highly skilled and well-nourished Egyptian workers who resided in a temporary city near the construction site. It also sheds light on the political power needed to undertake such massive construction projects.
Archaeological excavations at the captivating site have unveiled a highly organized community, abundant in resources, which must have been supported by a powerful central authority. It is likely that various communities across Egypt contributed laborers, as well as food and other necessities, for what became a national endeavor to showcase the opulence and governance of the ancient pharaohs. In addition to constructing ancient Egypt, the Pyramids also served as a means of preserving it. Giza provides us with an opportunity to delve into a world that has long vanished. “Many individuals perceive the site solely as a burial ground in the contemporary sense, but it encompasses much more,” explains Peter Der Manuelian, an Egyptologist from the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, and Tufts University.
“In these adorned burial sites, one can find marvelous portrayals of various aspects of life in ancient Egypt. This means that it is not solely focused on how Egyptians died, but also sheds light on how they lived.” The artwork in the tombs showcases scenes of ancient farmers in action, tending to their crops and livestock, engaging in fishing and hunting, practicing carpentry, displaying different costumes, participating in religious rituals, and observing burial practices. Inscriptions and texts found within the tombs also provide valuable insights into Egyptian grammar and language. As Der Manuelian puts it, “You can find almost any subject related to Pharaonic civilization on the tomb walls at Giza.” In conclusion, recent archaeologists, aided by NASA satellite imagery, have discovered up to 17 buried pyramids in Egypt. Additionally, the team has detected over 1,000 tombs and 3,000 ancient settlements using data gathered from satellites orbiting 700 kilometers (435 miles) above the Earth. By blending ancient techniques with modern tools and materials, we can potentially glean knowledge from the ancients as we aim to educate future generations.
