The Ancient Egyptian Pyramids - Term Paper Example

Egyptian Pyramids Egyptian Pyramids refer to the pyramid shaped structures that were masonry carved in Egypt, mostly used as tombs for the Egyptian pharaohs and other popular ancient Egyptian personalities (Hoffman, n.p.). Egyptian Pyramids are among the most exciting historical structures that still exist in the modern day world, always attracting the attention of tourists from all over the world. By the year 2008, the Egyptian pyramids that were already discovered numbered 138, with some of them ranking as the world’s oldest monumental structures that are still standing, which were constructed and dressed by masons (Allen, 28). The construction of the pyramids varied depending on the size of the pyramid itself and the nature of the surrounding complex. Therefore, the construction of any single pyramid may have involved a few thousand masons to tens of thousands. There are several reasons that make the Egyptian Pyramids stand out in the history of the world. First, these pyramids comprise the oldest monumental structures still standing, which were ever build through masonry. Secondly, the Egyptian Pyramids stands out as some of the largest structures that were ever built in the history of the world. Thirdly, some of the Egyptian Pyramids rank among the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, which are still in existence (Egyptian Pyramids, n.p.). The most famous of the Egyptian Pyramids are found in the Giza region, which is in the outskirts of the Egyptian capital, Cairo (Hoffman, n.p.). Among the most popular Egyptian Pyramids are the pyramid of Khufu, the pyramid of Khafre, and the pyramid of Menkaure. The great Sphinx also ranks among the most popular monumental structures in the world. Therefore, this discussion seeks to discuss the above mentioned Egyptian Pyramids, with a focus on their history and their significance in the world today, in terms of preserving the world’s history and standing out as crucial tourist attractions in Egypt, since they are among the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, which are still in existence (Chapman, 47). Pyramid of Khufu The Pyramid of Khufu, also referred to as The Great Pyramid of Giza or the Pyramid of Cheops, is an ancient pyramid found in the Giza region of Egypt. This pyramid is the most famous of all Egyptian Pyramids, because it ranks as the oldest and the largest Egyptian Pyramid that exists to present day (Allen, 29). In fact, the Pyramid of Khufu is not only popular as an Egyptian pyramid, but also the oldest of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, which remains fairly intact to present day (Ikram, 64). The pyramid is believed to have been built as a tomb for the Egyptian pharaoh who reigned during the fourth dynasty, known as Pharaoh Khufu. The construction of this pyramid is believed to have taken between 10-20 years, reaching its culmination in 2560 BCE, when it was declared complete (Hoffman, n.p.). The pyramid stood out as the tallest man made structure in the ancient world. It was constructed with dimensions measuring 440 Egyptian cubits long on all sides, which is equivalent to 230.8 meters. The initial height of the Pyramid of Khufu was 280 Egyptian cubits tall, which is equivalent to 146.5 meters. However, due to erosion and the loss of its Pyramid tip, the Pyramid of Khufu stands at 138.8 meters tall currently (The Pyramids of Giza, n.p.). The tomb stands out with an enormous weight of 5.9 million tones and a volume of 2.5 million cubic meters. With its construction extending over a period of 20 years, the pyramid was constructed using casing stones, which gave it a smooth outer look (Ikram, 71). However, some of the casing stones have now detached from the pyramid, leaving the underlying core structure, while they can still be seen on the base of the pyramid. Based on an estimated period of construction of 20 years, it means that the masons installed well over 12 blocks of casing stones per an hour nonstop, for day and night during the entire period, giving an equivalence of installing 800 tones of blocks in a day (Chapman, 51). The pyramid was completed with a high degree of precision, consuming a total of 2.3 blocks of stone, 800 tones of granite, 5.5 million tones of limestone and 0.5 million tones of mortar (Allen, 36). The Pyramid of Khufu was constructed with an entrance placed at 17 meters vertically above the ground, with the interior partitions comprising of the Queen’s chamber, the general gallery and the King’s chambers. However, today the tourists enter through the Robbers ‘Tunnel, which was carved by workmen later in 820 AD through the softer limestone and mortar, after they were unable to remove the blocks of stones. The Pyramid of Khufu remains fairly intact to present day, and stands out among the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, attracting tourists from all over the world to come and witness this man-made construction that has stood the test of time, to remain intact until present day. The pyramid of Khafre The Pyramid of Khafre, also been referred to as the Pyramid of Chefren, which was built around 2558-2532 B.C, ranks as the second largest pyramid in Egypt, after the Pyramid of Khufu (Dunn, n.p.). This pyramid is also found in the Giza region, on the outskirts of the Egyptian capital, Cairo. The pyramid was constructed as a tomb for pharaoh Khafre, who reigned during the fourth-dynasty (Allen, 32). Though opened in 1372, the pyramid was not completely explored, until 1837. The pyramid was constructed of vertical courses, with large stone blocks at the bottom, which were reduced in size as the construction progressed, leaving the blocks used to construct the apex of the pyramid at 50 cm length (Dunn, n.p.). The texture of the Pyramid of Khafre changes as its height progresses upwards, due to the change in the size and refinement of the blocks used at each section. Though constructed with a rough texture at the bottom section, the middle section becomes relatively smooth and the top section even smoother, due to the use of small and well refined casting stones. The dimensions of the pyramid were measured at 215.5 meters long on each side of the pyramid sides, with a height of 136.4 meters (Dunn, n.p.). The construction applied limestone blocks which weighed 2 tons each, placed on bedrock which is 10 meters higher than the bottom surface of the Pyramid of Khufu, giving an impression that it is taller. It was constructed with a steeper slope than its neighboring pyramid. However, the Pyramid of Khafre was fairly destroyed during the 18th dynasty, with the overseer of the temple robbing the casting stones used to construct the pyramid, to be used to complete the temple (Ikram, 67). Consequently, the apex and the top part of this pyramid are currently missing. The pyramid of Menkaure The pyramid of Menkaure is the smallest of the three pyramids found in the Giza region. This pyramid was constructed and finished around the 26th century B.C (Chapman, 53). The pyramid was constructed to serve as a tomb for the fourth dynasty Egyptian Pharaoh Menkaure, who was the son of Pharaoh Khufu (Allen, 23). Various reasons were given for the small size of the pyramid of Menkaure, including the fact that there was no enough room left at the Giza plateau for the construction of another enormous pyramid, like the Pyramid of Khufu and the pyramid of Khafre (Hoffman, n.p.). The other reason given is that the cost of construction could have been too high, owing to the numerous resources, time and labor that was applied in construction of the previous pyramids. This promoted the reduction is size of the third pyramid constructed in the region. The pyramid of Menkaure was one-tenth the size of Pyramid of Khufu, with dimensions measuring at 65.5 meters high and a length of 108.5 meters for all the sides of the pyramid. However, due to erosion and some apex destruction, the pyramid currently stands at 61 meters high (Pyramid of Menkaure, n.p.). The pyramid was constructed of limestone and granite, with the finishing of the top section of the pyramid applying mud bricks. The pyramid is located a few hundred meters from the largest and the oldest pyramid in Egypt, the Pyramid of Khufu. There was an attempted destruction of the pyramids at the Giza region towards the end of the 12th century. However, the process of destroying these pyramids proved as hard and expensive as the cost of constructing them, prompting the workmen who were hired to destroy them to abandon the work (Pyramid of Menkaure, n.p.). Having started the demolition on the pyramid of Menkaure, the workmen left its apex and the north face damaged. The great Sphinx This refers to a limestone statute, comprising of a lion’s body and a human head, which stands on the Giza plateau, near the west bank of the Nile (Chapman, 42). The great Sphinx is a popular world monument, ranking as the largest monolith statue in the world, which remains intact to present day, notwithstanding the fact that it was constructed in the period between 2558–2532 BC (Ikram, 68). Additionally, this is the oldest of all known monuments in the world, which is believed to have been constructed during the reign of the Pharaoh Khafra, with dimensions standing at 19.3 meters wide, 20.2 meters high and 73.5 meters long (Egyptian Pyramids, n.p.). This monumental structure was built was built for and by the ancient Egyptians, to serve as a divinity symbol. The actual name that this structure was given is still debatable, since the name “The great Sphinx” was given to the monument 2000 years after the agreeable date of completing the statue, closely aligned with the Greek beast as told in their myth, which comprises of the lion’s body and the head of a woman (Hoffman, n.p.). The great Sphinx is found in a depression to the south of the pyramid of Khafre, and still stands intact to present day, with very few alterations, including the removal of the one meter nose that was initially inscribed in the statue. This statue has been held in high regards by the Egyptians, serving as a national symbol during both the ancient and the modern Egypt (The Pyramids of Giza, n.p.). This is one of the exclusive monumental structures in the world, which has stirred the thoughts and imagination of scholars and tourists, often raising questions about its age, meaning, and its real name. Due to these mysteries, the great Sphinx has attracted many visitors to Egypt, both historians and archeologists, as well as normal tourists, who are fascinated about the secrets behind the monumental structure (Chapman, 51). The word sphinx is argued to have been given to the structure, owing to its appearance that depicts some form of a destroyer, since the actual meaning of this word in Greek is “strangler.” Therefore, name was perceived to suit the monument, since it has the body of a lion indicating a strangling element. Conclusion Egyptian Pyramids are some of the most famous monumental structures that exist in the modern world. The materials and the techniques applied to construct the pyramids and the great Sphinx portrays the determination that was possessed by the ancient Egyptians. However, the fact that a tomb for a pharaoh could be constructed as big as the Pyramid of Khufu and the pyramid of Khafre beats all logic. This is because; a tomb that is as voluminous as 2.5 million cubic meters is unexpected of any single person. However, the construction of these pyramids serves to indicate that the Egyptians held their kings with high reverence or such kings were very influential, commanding the constructions of such tombs for them. Nevertheless, the most important aspect is that Egyptian Pyramids are among the most amazing historical constructions by man, which still exist to present day. Their presence in Egypt has been a great advantage, since they have seen the country rank as one of the countries with great historical and archeological elements, which are preserved to modern day. Additionally, the presence of the pyramid of Khufu, the pyramid of Khafre, and the pyramid of Menkaure as well as the great Sphinx has served to create a unique tourist attraction for Egypt. This has seen a large number of historians, archeologists, and normal tourists visit this country annually. Work Cited Allen, James P. The Ancient Egyptian Pyramid Texts. Atlanta: Scholars Press, 2007. Print. Chapman, Lynne F. Egyptian Pyramids. Mankato, Minn: Creative Education, 1999. Print. Dunn, Jimmy. "The Great Pyramid of Khafre at Giza." Tour Egypt . Web. 30 Oct. 2012. . "Egyptian Pyramids." History . Web. 30 Oct. 2012. . Hoffman, Carl. "Pyramids at Giza." National Gocraphic . Web. 30 Oct. 2012. . Ikram, Salima, and Va B. Le. Egyptian Pyramids. Cairo, Egypt: Zeitouna, 1995. Print. "Pyramid of Menkaure." Egyptian Monuments . Web. 30 Oct. 2012. . "The Pyramids of Giza." discovering Egypt . Web. 30 Oct. 2012. . Read More