Ancient Egyptians - Facts about Pyramids
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Egyptian Pyramids and Tombs

Facts about Pyramids
Definition: A pyramid can be defined as a massive memorial with a square base and four triangular sides that were built as royal tombs in ancient Egypt. For additional interesting facts and information refer to the History of the Pyramids.

Parts of the Pyramid
The plan of the pyramid consists of three parts: the chapel (or temple), the passage, and the sepulchral vault (burial chamber). The pyramid itself only contained the passages and the sepulchral vault. The temple is always separate. The temples of the pyramid complexes at Meidum, Dahshur, Giza and Abusir (see map below) stood at the east or north fronts of the pyramids. These were true temples with chambers, courts, and passages where ceremonies were conducted and offerings were made.

Giza Plateau - Cheops (Khufu) Pyramid, Khafre (Chephren) Pyramid and the Sphinx

Facts about Pyramids
Learn about the ancient pyramids of Egypt, and the tombs of the pharaohs, the fast and easy way via the pyramids Fact sheets. These interesting facts about the ancient Egyptian pyramids provide an overview of the history and development of the pyramid. 

Ancient Egypt - Pyramids Fact Sheet

Fact 1 about Pyramids: A total of 138 pyramids have been discovered in ancient Egypt.

Fact 2 about Pyramids: These famous monuments of ancient Egypt were constructed from about 2630 B.C. until about 1530 B.C.

Fact 3 about Pyramids: The locations of the most important Egyptian Pyramid sites include Giza, Saqqara, Dashur, Abusir, Meidum, Lisht and Abu Rawash.

Fact 4 about Pyramids: It only took the ancient Egyptians 23 years to build the Great Pyramid at Giza. It has been estimated that 600,000 building blocks, weighing an average of 2.5 tons each were used in the construction.

Fact 5 about Pyramids: The estimated total weight of the Great Pyramid at Giza is 6.5 million tons. To put this enormous figure into perspective, a small car weighs about one ton.

Fact 6 about Pyramids: The base of the Great Pyramid of Giza covers 13 acres, 568,500 square feet! The stone blocks at the base of the pyramid measured 5 ft x 8 ft x 12 ft.

Fact 7 about Pyramids: The Great Pyramid of Giza rose to over 480 ft. which is equivalent to the height of a modern 40-storey building.

Fact 8 about Pyramids: The funerary complex of King Djoser was 37 acres in size - just one acre is about the size of an American football field.

Fact 9 about Pyramids: For many years it was believed that the pyramids were built by slaves and prisoners of war. It is more likely that the majority were assigned to working in the Stone Quarries of ancient Egypt.

Fact 10 about Pyramids: The pharaohs employed as many of their subjects as they wanted in forced, or conscripted, labor. The labor force was organised in such a way that conscripted labor was only required for a few weeks in every year, ensuring the agriculture of Egypt was not unduly effected.

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Ancient Egypt - Facts about Pyramids Fact Sheet

Picture showing the reconstruction of the pyramid complex at Giza

Facts about Pyramids
Discover fast, interesting fun facts about pyramids for kids with some amazing, cool and quick information about ancient Egypt and Egyptians. Ideal for children, homework, schools, teachers and kids of all ages! Find fascinating fun facts about pyramids for kids and the history, culture and civilisation of the ancient Egyptians and ancient Egypt. Interesting, fun facts about pyramids for research, schools, students and kids of all ages.

Facts about Pyramids
Learn about the ancient pyramids of Egypt, and the tombs of the pharaohs, the fast and easy way via the pyramids Fact sheet.

Ancient Egypt - Facts about Pyramids Fact Sheet

Fact 11 about Pyramids: Some of the skilled workers and artisans were paid for their work and they resided in permanent pyramid villages.

Fact 12 about Pyramids: The workers included laborers, quarry workers, hauliers, masons, ramp builders and tool-makers.

Fact 13 about Pyramids: Every Pyramid had teams of workers who were divided into groups who responsible for the construction of one part of the pyramid complex. Workers were divided into smaller units of 10 -20 men

Fact 14 about Pyramids: At the height of construction over 10,000 men would work on a pyramid - and they would all have needed food, water and shelter. The number of workers required at any one time depended on the weight of blocks, the number of blocks to be placed and the working space available.

Fact 15 about Pyramids: All Egyptian pyramids and tombs were located on the west side of the River Nile in order to enter the afterlife. East was perceived as a place of beginnings whilst the west was considered the place of death.

Fact 16 about Pyramids: What was inside the Ancient Egyptian Pyramids? Deep inside these huge structures were tomb chambers, ante-rooms and chambers, ventilation shafts and access tunnels. The Pharaoh's burial chamber was filled with treasure and precious items for the Pharaoh to use in the afterlife.

Fact 17 about Pyramids: Nearly every pyramid in ancient Egypt was robbed of their treasures by 1000 B.C.

Fact 18 about Pyramids: The ancient Egyptian architects included different ways to increase the security of the burial chamber within the pyramid. Pyramid complexes were guarded and surrounded by a trench and thick, 12ft  wall with only one entrance. The entrance to the pyramid itself was difficult to locate and the passage leading to the burial chamber was booby trapped with hidden holes, portcullis-like doors, blocked chambers and deadfalls. There were even wires designed to decapitate the tomb robbers.

Fact 19 about Pyramids: Tomb robbers were first tortured and then executed. The executions took the form of impalement or being burnt alive - both forms of execution prevented the tomb robbers entering the Afterlife.

Fact 20 about Pyramids: The pyramid was part of a funerary complex that was accessed via a causeway (a raised roadway) that led from a 'Valley Temple' to the pyramid. The pyramid complex was often surrounded by a 10 foot wall with another temple, an offering altar and smaller subsidiary pyramidal structures.

Ancient Egypt - Facts about Pyramids Fact Sheet

Facts about Pyramids
Learn about the ancient pyramids of Egypt, and the tombs of the pharaohs, the fast and easy way via the pyramids Fact sheet.

Ancient Egypt - Facts about Pyramids Fact Sheet

Fact 21 about Pyramids: The top of a pyramid was crowned with a shining pyramidion, also referred to as a capstone.

Fact 22 about Pyramids: The Egyptians believed that pyramids were resurrection vehicle, a type of 'Stargate' for the pharaoh, leading to heaven and eternal life.

Fact 23 about Pyramids: The Step Pyramid of Djoser was the first pyramid the Egyptians ever built. It was originally designed as a mastaba tomb but the great Egyptian architect, Imhotep, added six tiers or steps decreasing in size thus creating the pyramid shape.

King Djoser's Step Pyramid at Saqqara

Fact 24 about Pyramids: The stone required to build a pyramid had to be sourced locally or transported from a stone quarry to the construction site. Transport was mainly by ships or barges. Specially constructed man-made canals and landing stages were used for transporting the stone to their destinations.

Fact 25 about Pyramids: Large stones were dragged by men overland using great sleds. The desert sands were moistened with water to ease this process.

Fact 26 about Pyramids: The first pyramids were believed to have been built emulating the shape of the Benben Stone which featured in the ancient Egyptian creation myth and symbolized the Primeval mound. For additional info refer to the Meaning of the Pyramids.

The Benben Stone

Fact 27 about Pyramids: The pyramids was oriented so that one side faced exactly east, another exactly south, and so on. The sides of the pyramids were directed to the four cardinal points of the compass and therefore have a strong astronomical association with the stars and the sun.

Fact 28 about Pyramids: The Pyramid of Ahmose was built as a cenotaph, not a tomb, for King Ahmose I at Abydos. It was the last Royal Pyramid in ancient Egypt and signalled the end of the Pyramid age.

Ancient Egypt - Facts about Pyramids Fact Sheet

Map showing Locations of Pyramids
The following map shows the locations of each major necropolis (burial ground) where pyramids were constructed 

Facts about Pyramids
Learning about the ancient Egyptians and pyramids inspires everyone to visit historical sites and undertake Egypt Travel and Tours to experience the wonders of this magical land at first hand. Many people choose to experience a tour of Egypt on a Nile Cruise stopping at the famous destinations and sites of Egypt such as the Pyramids of Giza and the Great Sphinx. The information and facts about pyramids will provide you with a great insight into Egypt and the legacy of the ancient Egyptians.

Facts about Pyramids