Pyramids of Egypt

The spectacular achievements of the ancient Egyptian civilization were possible because of its prosperity, and this largely depending on its thriving agrarian economy - the gift of the Nile. The central role of the Nile in the life of Egypt is as evident now as it was when the earliest agricultural communities settled beside its banks and the fertile black silt of the river's floodplain produced abundant crops in the midst of an inhospitable, desert land. The Nile was also the country's main highway, and boat building was already of a high standard by the beginning of the Pharaonic Period.

The Great Pyramid of Khufu, largest of all the pyramids, was stripped of its casing of white limestone in antiquity and during the 9th century.It is estimated that about 2,300,000 blocks, each weighing an average 2.3 tons (although some weigh much more) went into the building of the pyramid.

The Pyrymid of Khafre, is the most complete of all the Giza pyramids. Because it was built on slight higher ground and rises at a sharper angle, the pyramids itself  appear to be larger than the Khufu's, although it is actually second in size. Near the top it still retains some of its original casing stones.

 The Pyramid of Menkaure, built by the Fourth Dynasty king Menkaure (c.2532-c.2503 BC) at Giza is only about half the size of those of his predecessors, Khufu and Khafre. The reason for this is unclear. Perhaps their building projects may have been running out of suitable sites on the Giza Plateau.

 The Step Pyramid of King Djoser, have two different types: some designed for practical use, while the majority are dummy buildings. According to their excavator Jean-Philippe  Lauer, the latter appear to be primarily symbolic and represent the  ancient city of Memphis, so that, just as the subterranean chambers of the pyramid were stocked with food and drinks to supply the king's supposed physical needs, he was also provided with the capital city of afterlife. The functional buildings may have been used during the king's funeral and for subsequent daily ritual of his mortuary cult.

The Pyramid of King Unas, the last king of the Fifth Dynasty, is located near the south-western corner of the Step Pyramid complex. Most of the outer casing has disappeared from this pyramid. revealing it inner core of loose blocks and rubble. It is the smallest of all the Old King pyramids, but it has one of the most interesting as it has several unusual features.