THE EGYPTIAN PYRAMIDS

1. I. The pyramids of Egypt have survived time and weather.

2. II. The pyramids were constructed as burial places for the ancient Egyptian royal family members.

2.1. The ancient Egyptians believed in life after death.

2.1.1. They prepared for their afterlife by building tombs (pyramids) and collecting possessions to put into the tombs.

2.1.2. They had their bodies preserved from decay by embalming.

2.1.3. The believed that the dead person could take his or her earthly possessions along to the next world.

2.1.4. They want their body always exist and become treasure.

2.2. The tombs were built to outsmart grave robbers, but almost all of the tombs were broken into and robbed.

3. III. The structure of the pyramids evolved over the centuries.

3.1. The mastaba was constructed during the First and Second Dynasties (3100 – 2665 B.C.E.)

3.2. The “step pyramid” (the ‘typical’ pyramid) was built during the Third Dynasty (2664 – 2615 B.C.E.).

3.2.1. Built for King Zoser (2650 B.C.E) by the architect Imhotepconstructed as a giant step.

3.2.2. Is a pile of mastabas

3.2.3. King Zoser’s step pyramid was never covered with stone to give it a smooth surface.

3.3. The pyramids of Giza were built during the Fourth Dynasty (2614 – 2502 B.C.E.).

3.3.1. Located near the town of Giza, which is outside Cairo.

3.3.2. The best preserved of all pyramids.

3.3.2.1. a)Khufu’s (Cheop’s) pyramid is the largest. b)Khafre’s pyramid is smaller. c)Mankaure’s pyramid is the smallest.

4. IV. The construction of pyramids declined after the Fourth Dynasty.

4.1. Pyramids offered little or no protection for the dead kings and nobles and for their possessions from grave robbers.

4.2. Thutmose I commanded an underground tomb be built far from the Nile River and Cairo (in the Valley of the Kings).

4.3. Most pharaohs followed Thutmose’s example.