Long, long ago, Egypt was home to one of the most amazing civilizations in the world. The people of ancient Egypt created incredible art and culture that still fascinates us today. One of their most impressive achievements was building the pyramids.
The Great Pyramid of Giza is a very special pyramid because it’s the only one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World still standing. It’s part of a group of pyramids near Cairo, Egypt, and is a World Heritage Site because of its importance. Did you know there are over a hundred pyramids in Egypt? Most of them are smaller and have been damaged over time.
The ancient Egyptians believed that life continued after death, just like it did on Earth. To get ready for the afterlife, they buried their loved ones with things they thought they would need. At first, they buried bodies in the desert sand, but animals and people would sometimes disturb them. So, they started building flat tombs called mastabas out of mud bricks or stone.
About 4,500 years ago, a smart architect named Imhotep had a great idea. He stacked mastabas on top of each other to make a step pyramid. This helped the Pharaoh’s soul reach the heavens. This was the start of many years of pyramid building in Egypt.
Pharaoh Sneferu wanted a smooth-sided pyramid for his tomb. After trying three times, he finally succeeded with the Red Pyramid, the first true pyramid in Egypt. His son, Khufu, wanted to build an even bigger pyramid, which became the Great Pyramid of Giza, the largest pyramid ever built.
Building the Great Pyramid took between 10 and 20 years. It was originally 481 feet tall, making it the tallest man-made structure for nearly 4,000 years! The pyramid is made of about 2.3 million stone blocks, some weighing as much as 80 metric tons. These stones were brought from over 500 miles away. The pyramid was once covered in shiny white limestone, making it sparkle in the sun.
Besides the Great Pyramid, Khufu also built other structures on the Giza plateau, like two temples and three smaller pyramids for his wives. Khufu’s son, Pharaoh Khafre, and his grandson, Pharaoh Menkaure, built the other two large pyramids there. Khafre’s pyramid complex includes the Great Sphinx, a huge statue with a man’s head and a lion’s body, which is 240 feet long and 66 feet high.
Inside the pyramids were special rooms for the Pharaoh’s body and treasures for the afterlife. To keep robbers away, Pharaohs made fake rooms and hidden passages. Sadly, most treasures were stolen long ago, but the pyramids still stand as amazing monuments to these ancient rulers.
Today, millions of people visit the pyramids to see these ancient tombs and learn about Egypt’s rich history. The pyramids show how clever and creative the ancient Egyptians were, and they continue to amaze and inspire people all over the world.
Build Your Own Pyramid: Gather some building blocks, clay, or even sugar cubes to create your own pyramid. Try stacking them in different ways to see which design is the strongest. Think about how the ancient Egyptians might have moved and placed the heavy stones. Can you create a step pyramid like Imhotep’s or a smooth-sided pyramid like Sneferu’s?
Time Traveler’s Diary: Imagine you are an ancient Egyptian worker helping to build the Great Pyramid of Giza. Write a short diary entry about your day. What tools do you use? How do you feel about working on such an important project? What do you see around you?
Treasure Hunt: Create a treasure map of your home or classroom. Hide small objects or treats and draw a map with clues to find them. Think about how the Pharaohs hid their treasures in the pyramids to protect them from robbers. How can you make your hiding spots tricky but fun to find?
