Egyptian Pyramids
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The Egyptian Pyramids at Giza
(L to R: The Great Pyramid of Khufu,
The Pyramids of Khafre and Menkaure)

The Pyramids

The Egyptian pyramids are the world's largest funerary edifices, and remain one of the most enduring symbols of ancient architecture in general and Egyptian art and civilization in particular. Most of the 200 pyramids so far uncovered (only about half of which remain standing) were constructed over a thousand year period during the eras of the Old Kingdom (26802258 BCE) and the Middle Kingdom (2134-1786 BCE). Although designed as tombs for the Kings/Pharaohs of the time, exactly how and why the pyramids were built remains something of a mystery. In any event, Egyptian expertise in handling stone had an impact on Greek art, especially Greek sculpture in stone.

The Valley of the Kings, Luxor, Egypt.
A Principal Site of the Pyramid Tombs.

To see how Egyptian pyramid
building relates to other types of architectural visual art, see:
Architecture: History & Styles.

Pyramid Sites

Pyramids were completed at: Saqqara (c.2612 BCE) under King Djozer; Dashur (c.2589 BCE) under King Sneferu; Meidum (c.2589 BCE) under King Sneferu; Giza (c.2566 BCE) under King Khufu; Abu Rawash (c.2558 BCE) under King Djedefre; Giza (c.2532 BCE) under King Khafre; Giza (c.2504 BCE) under King Menkaure; Sahure (c.2477 BCE) under King Sahure; Abu Sir (c.2467 BCE) under King Neferirkare Kakai; Abu Sir (c.2392 BCE) under King Nyuserre Ini; Lisht (c.1962 BCE) under King Amenemhat I; Lisht (c.1926 BCE) under King Senusret I; el-Lahun (c.1878 BCE) under King Senusret II; Hawara (c.1814 BCE) under King Amenemhat III. All were constructed on the west bank of the Nile, where the sun sets, in accordance with Egyptian theories concerning the realm of the dead. Most were faced with polished, white limestone (much of it now stolen), in order to give them a brilliant reflective appearance from a distance. The Pyramid of Khafre, at Giza, is one of the few that still retains part of its original limestone covering.

The Red Pyramid of Snofru

SCULPTURES of ANCIENT EGYPT
For details of 3-D art, see:
Egyptian Sculpture.

DIFFERENT FORMS OF ARTS
For definitions, meanings and
explanations of different arts,
see Types of Art.

Notable Examples

The first pyramid (Djozer's) was supposedly designed by the Egyptian architect Imhotep, who extended the usual mastaba shape (a mastaba was a rectangular superstructure containing a burial chamber and various rooms) by stacking a number of stones around the outside, one on top of another. The steps were supposed to serve as a gigantic stairway by which the soul of the deceased pharaoh could rise up to the heavens. Imhotep was later deified by the Egyptians.

The Great Pyramid at Giza (also known as the Pyramid of Khufu and the "Pyramid of Cheops") is 147 meters high, and was the tallest man-made structure in the world for more than 3,200 years. It is calculated to contain about 2.3 million stone blocks, each weighing an average of 2.5 to 15 tons each. The blocks fit together so closely that a thick sheet of paper won't slide between them. The Great Pyramid was designated one of the Seven Wonders of the World by Antipater of Sidon, and is now the sole surving wonder of the ancient world.

The Step Pyramid of Djozer

How Were The Pyramids Built?

Egyptologists remain undecided as to the exact building method used to create the pyramids. (Note: the early pyramids were built differently from the later ones. Early pyramids were built largely out of stone blocks, while later ones were often made from mud brick cased in limestone.) Specifically, experts disagree about the method by which the stones were conveyed and laid (rollers, various types of ramp, or [per Ron Wyatt] a system of levers), and the type of workforce used (slaves or skilled workers). The arguments continue.

Egypt was not the only country to build pyramids. During the Napata era in Sudan (c.700-661 BCE), a number of pyramids were constructed under the influence of Egyptian architects. Later, during the Sudanese Kingdom of Meroe (c.300 BCE – 300 CE) over two hundred more pyramid burial vaults were built.

For details of the colour pigments used by artists in Ancient Egypt, see: Egyptian Colour Palette.

• For other pre-historic civilizations, see: Ancient Art.
• For the main index, see: Irish Art