Which pharaoh built the largest pyramid? The most famous pyramids of ancient Egypt The largest Egyptian pyramid

The first pyramid, which gave rise to all Egyptian pyramid construction, is located at Saqqara, about 17 km south of Giza. It was built in 2667-2648 BC for Djoser, the first pharaoh of the third dynasty.

History of the construction of the Pyramid of Djoser

The invention of masonry dates back to the beginning of Djoser's reign. The Pyramid of Djoser is considered the oldest stone structure on Earth; its prototype was the mastaba of the pharaohs of the first dynasty, built of unbaked brick. At first it was also a mastaba made of stone, but then it went through five stages in its development.

First, the pharaoh's architect Imhotep built a large mastaba, similar to the previously built tomb of Djoser in Upper Egypt. This time the mastaba was made not of brick, but of stone blocks. Subsequently, during the reign of the pharaoh, it was expanded in four directions, and then made oblong. The decision to expand the building a fourth time resulted in a tomb unlike any built before. Imhotep built three more mastabas, placing them on top of each other, each smaller than the previous one. This is how the first pyramid appeared, which became the prototype of all Egyptian pyramids.

However, Djoser wanted to make the pyramid even larger; he ordered to enlarge its base and make six terraces on its top. The pyramid was faced with limestone, which was brought from the opposite bank of the Nile, from the hills of Tura.

Design Features

To create Djoser's step pyramid, several independent layers of masonry were used, they rested on a central base of. All the pyramids that appeared in the future - Khafre, Khufu and other pharaohs who reigned later - were built in a similar way. However, unlike later pyramids, here the stone blocks are inclined inward at an angle of 74° in order to give the structure greater strength. In the pyramids built later, the layers of masonry are arranged horizontally.

Djoser's tomb was located under the foundation, it was carved into the rock, and a square shaft led to it. The entrance to the mine was located far outside the pyramid, to the north of it. A massive ten-meter wall was built around the pyramid, and inside it was a square on which several temples and

architectural monuments of Ancient Egypt, including one of the “seven wonders of the world” - the Pyramid of Cheops and an honorary candidate for the “new seven wonders of the world” - the Pyramids of Giza. Pyramids are huge pyramid-shaped stone structures that were used as tombs for the pharaohs of Ancient Egypt. The word "pyramid" is Greek and means polyhedron. According to some researchers, a large pile of wheat became the prototype of the pyramid. According to other scientists, this word comes from the name of a pyramid-shaped funeral cake. A total of 118 pyramids have been discovered in Egypt (as of November 2008).

Predecessors of the pyramids

When mentioning the Egyptian pyramids, they usually mean the Great Pyramids located in Giza, not far from Cairo. But they are not the only pyramids in Egypt. Many other pyramids are much less well preserved and now resemble hills or piles of stones.

During the period of the first dynasties, special “houses after life” appeared - mastabas - funeral buildings, consisting of an underground burial chamber and a stone structure above the surface of the earth. The term itself dates back to Arab times and is due to the fact that the shape of these tombs, similar in section to a trapezoid, reminded the Arabs of large benches called “mastaba”.

The first pharaohs also built mastabas for themselves. The most ancient royal mastabas, dating back to the First Dynasty, were built from adobes - unfired bricks made of clay and/or river silt. They were built in Nagadei Abydos in Upper Egypt|Upper Egypt, as well as in Saqqara, where the main necropolis of Memphis, the capital of the rulers of the first dynasties, was located. In the above-ground part of these buildings there were chapels and rooms with burial goods, and in the underground part there were the burial chambers themselves.

The largest pyramids in Egypt

Pyramid of Cheops (IV dynasty): base size - 230 m (height - 146.6 m);
Pyramid of Khafre (IV Dynasty): 215 m (143 m);
Pink Pyramid, Snefru (IV Dynasty): 219 m (105 m);
Bent Pyramid, Sneferu (IV Dynasty): 189 m (105 m);
Pyramid at Meidum, Sneferu (IV Dynasty): 144 m (94 m);
Pyramid of Djoser (III Dynasty): 121 × 109 m (62 m).

Dating of the building

Pharaoh	Approximate dates	Location
Djoser	OK. 2630-2612 BC e.	Saqqara
Sneferu	OK. 2612-2589 BC e.	2 pyramids in Dahshur and one in Meidum
Khufu	OK. 2589-2566 BC e.	Giza
Djedefra	OK. 2566-2558 BC e.	Abu Rawash
Khafre	OK. 2558-2532 BC e.	Giza
Mikerin (Menkaura)	OK. 2532-2504 BC e.	Giza
Sahura	OK. 2487-2477 BC e.	Abusir
Neferirkara Kakai	OK. 2477-2467 BC e.	Abusir
Niuserra Isi	OK. 2416-2392 BC e.	Abusir
Amenemhet I	OK. 1991-1962 BC e.	El Lisht
Senusret I	OK. 1971-1926 BC e.	El Lisht
Senusret II	OK. 1898-1877 BC e.	El Lahun
Amenemhet III	OK. 1861-1814 BC e.	Hawara

Pyramids of the 3rd dynasty pharaohs

Pyramid Hubs

In the central part of the pyramid in Zawiet el-Erian, the structure of the masonry is clearly visible - the layers of stone are slightly inclined towards the center and seem to rest on it (for this reason it is sometimes also called “Layer”). The construction material is small rough-hewn stone and clay mortar. The technology used to build the pyramid at Zawiyet el-Erian is similar to that used to build the pyramid of Sekhemkhet and the Step Pyramid at Saqqara.

Pyramid of Djoser

This is the first step-type pyramid, called the Pyramid of Djoser. The building dates back to approximately 2670 BC, and in appearance resembles several mastabas of decreasing size stacked on top of each other. Most likely, this was exactly the intention of the architect of this pyramid, Imhotep. Imhotep developed a method of masonry using cut stone. Subsequently, the Egyptians deeply revered the architect of the first pyramid, and even deified him. He was considered the son of the god Ptah, patron of arts and crafts.

The Pyramid of Djoser is located at Saqqara, northeast of ancient Memphis, 15 km from Giza. Its height is 62 m.

Pyramids of the IV Dynasty pharaohs

Bent pyramid

The historical significance of the Pink Pyramid is that it is the first royal tomb with a regular pyramidal shape. Although the “pink” tomb is considered the first “true” pyramid, it is characterized by an extremely low slope of the walls (only 43°36"; base 218.5 × 221.5 m with a height of 104.4 m).

The name is due to the fact that the limestone blocks that make up the pyramid take on a pink color in the rays of the setting sun. Entrance through a sloping passage on the north side descends into three adjacent chambers accessible to the public. This pyramid is attributed to Snefru because his name is inscribed in red paint on several blocks of the casing.

Pyramid at Meidum

Great Pyramids

Great Pyramids of Giza

The Great Pyramids are the pyramids of the pharaohs Cheops, Khafre and Mikerin located in Giza. Unlike the pyramid of Djoser, these pyramids do not have a stepped, but a strictly geometric, pyramidal shape. These pyramids date back to the IV Dynasty. The walls of the pyramids rise at an angle from 51° (Pyramid of Menkaure) to 53° (Pyramid of Khafre) to the horizon. The edges are precisely oriented to the cardinal points. The Pyramid of Cheops was built on a massive natural rock elevation, which was located in the very middle of the base of the pyramid. Its height is about 9 m.

The Pyramid of Cheops

The largest pyramid is the Cheops pyramid. Initially, its height was 146.6 m, but due to the fact that the cladding of the pyramid is now missing, its height has now decreased to 138.8 m. The length of the side of the pyramid is 230 m. The construction of the pyramid dates back to the 26th century BC. e. Presumably, construction lasted more than 20 years.

The pyramid is made of 2.3 million stone blocks; no cement or other binders were used. On average the blocks weighed 2.5 tons, but in the King's Chamber there are granite blocks weighing up to 80 tons. The pyramid is an almost monolithic structure - with the exception of several chambers and corridors leading to them.

Pyramids of Khafre and Mikerin

Later, the tradition of building pyramids was adopted by the rulers of ancient Sudan.

Pyramid of Userkaf

Pyramid of Sahur and Neferefre

Finishing

Block Alignment

Some pyramids that have preserved their cladding allow one to see the quality of the surface treatment of the stone. In addition, large blocks are fitted so that there are no gaps between them, and the leveled outer surface often forms an ideal plane, despite the fact that this plane is at an angle to the base. A striking example of this is the cladding of the Broken and Meidum pyramids.

When leveling the surface of the stones at the entrance to the Mikerinus pyramid, the outer stones were not completely leveled, and the edge of the alignment line runs continuously through all the stones of the masonry, which allows us to make the assumption that the surface of the blocks was leveled after laying the stones. The same assumption is confirmed by the leveling of the floor, not far from the pyramid of Userkaf. The lower surface of the floor stones is in sand and has natural, uncut shapes; Although the stones are of different heights, the upper part of the stones forms a single, flat surface.

Facing

In order for the surface of the pyramid to be smooth, it was lined with cladding slabs (mainly limestone).

The pyramid at Meidum is faced with polished slabs of Tura limestone. Nowadays, all the cladding and most of the outer layers have not been preserved.
The pink pyramid was faced with white limestone, but over time the lining was removed by the local population and blocks of pink limestone are now visible.
The Pyramid of Khafre was covered with limestone, which was preserved only at the top.
The pyramid of Mykerinus was faced with red Aswan granite for about a third of its height, then it was replaced by white slabs of Tura limestone, and the top, in all likelihood, was also made of red granite.

Pyramid Builders

New burials of pyramid builders discovered in early January 2010 allowed scientists to confirm the theory that the pyramids were built by civilian workers. It is also concluded that up to 10 thousand people were simultaneously employed at the construction site, with workers working in shifts of three months.

Burials of the pharaohs

Pyramid Texts

Pyramid Research

Preservation of the pyramids and restoration

Similarities with other monuments of Egypt and other countries

Egyptian pyramids in popular culture

Egyptian pyramids have long been a source of folklore legends (for example, among Christians they were long considered the granaries of Joseph, who, according to the book of Genesis, accumulated grain in Egypt for seven famine years), and with the growing interest in the East and

The Great Seven Wonders of the World - the Hanging Wonders, the Lighthouse of Alexandria, the statue of Zeus, the Colossus of Rhodes, etc. Everyone knows about them. But only one “miracle” of these seven has survived to this day. It's mysterious Egyptian pyramids, which are more than 4,500 years old.

Location and structural features of the Egyptian pyramids:

The pyramids stand on the territory of the ancient cemetery in Giza, which is on the opposite bank from (the modern capital).

Scientists note that during the existence of the Ancient Egyptian kingdom, more than 80 pyramids were built, but only a small part has reached us. There are three surviving pyramids in total - these are the pyramids of Cheops, Khafre and Mikerin (they also have Egyptian names - Khufu, Khafre and Menkaure). Only the first of this list formally belongs to the legendary seven. However, they are all mysterious and majestic.

The appearance of these buildings is impressive. They stand out clearly against the background of the blue sky and dark yellow sand. You notice them from afar, before you get close to them. The giant pyramids evoke sacred awe in anyone. They seem like something out of space; it’s hard to believe that man had anything to do with their construction.

The main pyramid is the pyramid of Cheops (Khufu). Each side of the base is 233 m long. The height of the pyramid is 147 m. The area of the pyramid is more than 50 thousand square meters. Its interior spaces occupy a very small volume - no more than 4% of the total area.

Until the mid-19th century, the Cheops pyramid was considered the largest structure on our planet. According to Napoleon's calculations, the stone blocks from the three pyramids of Giza would be enough to encircle the entire wall with a height of three meters and a thickness of 30 centimeters.

All sides are almost symmetrical - such accuracy is surprising. The pyramid consists of 2,500,000 huge blocks, each of which weighs at least two tons, the heaviest block weighs 15 tons. The architect of this pyramid is also known - the Egyptian Hemuin.

Many misunderstandings arise due to the layout of the internal corridors and the so-called “main royal chamber” with the empty sarcophagus of the Cheops pyramid. As is known, a narrow passage - a ventilation duct - leads outside from this room at an angle, and above the chamber there are several empty unloading rooms, built in order to reduce the huge mass of stone. One of the mysteries, for example, is the location of the main room - it is not located along the central axis, as in all tombs, but is tilted to the side.

Pyramid of Khafre(Khefre) is almost as good as the Cheops pyramid. It is slightly smaller - 215 m long and 143 m wide, but due to the fact that it is located on steeper slopes, it appears larger. Khafre is buried in it - this is the son of Cheops.

Not far from this pyramid is the legendary Great Sphinx, which is also part of the funerary complex. The size of the figure is rather large: its height is 20, and its length is 57 meters. The figure, carved from a single rock, depicts a reclining lion with a human head.

Pyramid of Khufuso has reached our times in good condition compared to other pyramids: it is the only one that has preserved the lime cladding on its top.

Pyramid of Menkaure(Mykerina) is the smallest of the legendary pyramids. It is almost 10 times smaller than the Cheops pyramid. Its height is only 66.4 meters. The pyramid was intended for the grandson of Cheops.

History of the Egyptian pyramids:

The construction of the Egyptian pyramids dates back to the beginning of the Old Kingdom, which is approximately 2800 - 2250 BC. e.

Almost 5 thousand years ago (28 centuries BC), the founder of the III dynasty, Pharaoh Djoser, as soon as he ascended the throne, ordered the construction of his tomb to begin. The construction was entrusted to the architect Imhoten. The innovation that the architect used when building the tomb for Djoser was that he built it in the form of six benches stacked on top of each other. Moreover, each subsequent one was smaller than the previous one. Imhoten created the first step pyramid. Its height was 60 m, length - 120 m, width - 109 m. Unlike previous tombs, the pyramid of Djoser was built not from wood and brick, but from large limestone blocks. This pyramid is considered the ancestor of the great Pyramids.

The first of the great pyramids is the Pyramid of Cheops. It is absolutely impossible to imagine that it was built, according to the manuscripts that have reached us, in just 20 years. Even today, with all the modern technology, it is difficult to build such a huge structure, not to mention the fact that the pyramid was built 4,500 years ago, when no mechanisms were even thought of. Sometimes the opinion is expressed that the pyramids could not have been built by people living in the Bronze Age, and that ... aliens took part in the creation of these colossal structures. But, according to the official scientific version, the construction of the pyramid was the work of ordinary people. The main builders were almost 100,000 slaves.

Millions of blocks were literally chiseled out of the rocks using primitive red copper drills, which quickly became dull from such hard work. When fitting wooden boards under the future slab, they were constantly watered. The tree swelled and tore the stone away from the rock. Then the resulting block was carefully polished, giving it the required shape. One has only to marvel at the impeccable result, because, in fact, the work was carried out with completely primitive tools. Without any measuring instruments, we ended up with a block that was ideal in its proportions and shape. In the vicinity of Aswan, there are still ruins of ancient quarries, on the territory of which many ready-made blocks have been found. As it turned out, this was a waste material that was not used when laying the pyramids.

The processed blocks were transported by boat to the other side of the Nile. Then they were transported along a specially paved road, the construction of which took 10 years and which, according to Herodotus, is only slightly simpler than the construction of the pyramids. The pyramid was built on a bedrock limestone massif, cleared of sand and gravel. Workers pulled them into place using ramps, blocks and levers, and then pushed them towards each other without any solution. The stones of the pyramid are “fitted” so tightly that it is impossible to insert even a knife blade between them. To raise the blocks, the Egyptians built an inclined embankment of brick and stone with an elevation angle of about 15. When the main structure was completed, it resembled a series of steps. As the pyramid was built, the mound was lengthened. It is possible that wooden sleighs were also used, on which the blocks were dragged up by hundreds of slaves. In some places traces of these carts were found.

When the construction was basically completed, the inclined embankment was leveled, and the surface of the pyramid was covered with facing blocks.

Construction ended in 2580 BC. e. Initially, the height of the pyramid was 150 meters, but over time, due to destruction and advancing sands, it became smaller - by 10 meters today.

There is no doubt that this pyramid was built as a tomb for Pharaoh Cheops. In ancient Egypt, it was customary to build burial structures long before the death of the person for whom it was intended. The Egyptians believed in an afterlife and carefully prepared for it. They believed that in the event of a person's death, his body should be preserved so that the spirit could continue to live after death. They removed the internal organs, filled the body with salts and wrapped it in linen shrouds. So the body turned into a mummy. Jewels were buried with the pharaohs, which, according to the ancients, could be useful to him in another world. In addition, a large number of servants were often buried along with the ruler, who would serve the owner even after death. The pyramids served the pharaohs, according to their religious beliefs, as a ladder along which souls ascended to heaven.

After the construction of the Cheops pyramid, the construction of the Khafre pyramid began. Huge money was invested in these constructions. According to the plan, the third pyramid should have been no less majestic. But Menkaur could not afford to build a large pyramid. The country was devastated by the construction of the pyramids of Khufu and Khafre. Hunger began. The population, exhausted by backbreaking labor, grumbled. But, despite its smaller size, the pyramid of Menkaure still looks incredibly beautiful.

Secrets of the Egyptian pyramids:

There are absolutely fantastic assumptions about the pyramids. For example, that these are not tombs at all, but something like observatories. Astronomer Richard Proctor argues that the descending corridor may have been used to observe the movements of certain stars, and the Grand Gallery, open at the top, was used to map the sky. But still, the official version is that the pyramids were built primarily as tombs.

Since the pharaohs were buried along with various valuable things, there is no doubt that jewelry can be found in them. The search for treasures in the tomb of Cheops does not stop today. There is still a lot of unknowns. That is why ancient pyramids are a favorite place for treasure seekers. For a long time, the main problem was considered to be theft of the pyramids. It seems that this problem existed even in the Old Kingdom, so tombs were designed on the principle of labyrinths, with secret rooms and doors, baits and traps.

According to the official version, they entered the pyramid for the first time in 820 AD: the Arab caliph Abdullah Al Manum decided to find the treasures of Khufu. Immediately, the treasure hunters were faced with the fact that it was completely impossible to find the entrance to the tomb. After a long search, we decided to dig under the pyramid. They soon found themselves in a passage that led down. This digging continued for several months. People were simply in despair - as soon as they entered a corridor, it immediately ended in a blank wall.

The first room they found was what is now known as the "royal room." From it they were able to find a way out into the space at the junction of two corridors and come to the “large gallery”, which, in turn, led to the “king’s room” - about 11 meters long and 5 wide. Here they found only an empty sarcophagus without a lid. There was nothing else in the room.

Several years of work yielded nothing - no treasure was found. It is most likely that the tomb was plundered long before the arrival of Abdullah Al Manum, but the workers said that this was simply impossible, since all the slabs inside the pyramid were untouched, and it was impossible to pass through them. True, in 1638, John Graves discovered a narrow passage in the Great Gallery, which was littered with rubble. It is possible that all the treasures were taken out through this passage. But many scientists doubt this, since the passage is very small and a thin person can barely fit into it.

What happened to Khufu’s mummy and his treasure2 Nobody knows. Various explorations have not revealed any other rooms or passages. However, many still believe that the main rooms and the treasures hidden there have not yet been found.

Pyramids

Mysterious pyramids of Egypt

The Egyptian Pyramid of Djoser, better known as the step pyramid, is located in Saqqara, 30 km from Cairo. A visit to the pyramid is part of the Dashur-Sakkara excursion. It’s worth visiting this pyramid at least out of curiosity, because this is the very first pyramid built in honor of the ruler Djoser. The peculiarity of the pyramid is that it is made in a stepped form. Six steps are the path along which the pharaoh goes to the afterlife, according to historians. Inside the pyramid there are 11 burial chambers for the pharaoh and his family members. During the archaeological excavations, Djoser himself was not discovered, only the mummies of his relatives. This is explained by the fact that by the time the excavations began, the tomb had already been plundered.

An excursion to Saqqara with a visit to the Pyramid of Djoser will cost about $80 per person.

Pyramid of Mikerin

The pyramid is located on the Giza plateau next to other famous pyramids - Cheops and Khafre. Compared to them, the pyramid of Mikerinus is considered the smallest and youngest pyramid of the famous triad. The peculiarity of this pyramid is its color - up to the middle it was made of red granite, and above it was made of white limestone. But in the 16th century, the cladding was destroyed by Mamluk warriors. Scientists explain the fact that the Mikerin pyramid is relatively small in size by the fact that the Egyptians stopped making grandiose tombs. But despite this, the pyramid never ceases to amaze scientists and travelers. For example, the largest block of stone weighs about 200 tons! What technical means helped the ancient Egyptians so much? An excursion to the pyramid is included in the Cairo travel program and costs approximately $60 per person.

Pyramid of Mikerin

The Pyramid of Cheops

There is hardly a person. who would not know the main attraction of Egypt - the Pyramid of Cheops. The height of this one of the Seven Wonders of the World today is 140 meters, and the area is about 5 hectares. The pyramid consists of 2.5 million stone blocks. The construction of the pyramid took 20 years. Several thousand years have passed since the construction of the Cheops pyramid, but the Egyptians still strongly revere the pyramid, and every year in August they celebrate the day its construction began. Despite the research and excavation of the pyramid, it still holds many secrets. For example, in the funeral room of the pharaoh’s wife, secret doors were discovered, which, according to scientists, symbolize the path to the afterlife. But archaeologists were never able to open the last door. The cost of an excursion to the Giza plateau with a visit to the pyramids is $50-60. For children, the ticket will cost half as much.

Pyramid of Khafre

Although the Pyramid of Khafre is 4 meters smaller than the Pyramid of Cheops, visually it seems higher. The secret is that the pyramid stands on a ten-meter plateau and is very well preserved to this day. The pyramid has two entrances - one at a height of 15 m, and the other on the same side at the base level. The inside of the Khafre pyramid is quite modest - two rooms and a couple of corridors, but the real sarcophagus of the pharaoh is kept here. The tomb is made at the highest level and does not leave any tourists indifferent. The tomb itself is empty.

Archaeologists found a grand discovery in a pyramid in the 19th century - a sculpture of a pharaoh made from mountain diorite.

The cost of an excursion to the Pyramid of Khafre is about $60.

Pyramid of Khafre

Dashur

This place is not as popular as the Giza plateau with its pyramids. Dashur is famous for its pyramids, which were built during the reign of Pharaoh Snofu. These structures are considered the first tombs in history built using new types of structures.

The southern pyramid, better known as Broken Pyramid, got its name due to its irregular shape. During its construction, the angles of the edges were changed for an unknown reason. This may have been a mistake, but scientists explain this as a construction move with concern for the strength and durability of the pyramid. The main difference between the Bent Pyramid is this. that it has two entrances - the “traditional” northern one and the almost never encountered southern one.

Another attraction of Dashur is the Northern Pyramid, better known by its name as the Red Pyramid. The pyramid got its name because of its red facing color. This is the first tomb with a regular pyramidal shape. The pyramid is very dark, so it is worth taking a flashlight with you. In the lowest burial chamber one can observe a high stepped ceiling, the same as in the gallery of the Cheops pyramid.

The cost of an excursion to Cairo, which includes a trip to Dashur, will cost an average of $85.

Probably every person wants to look at the pyramids. And if this is your dream since childhood, then a tour to Egypt is what you need. It’s very easy to order such a tour today - just contact travel agencies in your city through a special form on our website, or contact us with any questions you may have at 8-800-100-30-24.