Commonwealth Network

The Egyptian Pyramids

There was 3 different types of pyramids , The Step Pyramid ,
Bent Pyramid , and The Straight Sided Pyramid .
The Step Pyramid - A pyramid made of large clear steps (not the normal pyramids we see that look like steps) . The Bent Pyramid - A straight sided pyramid , until near the
top where it bends inward at a sharper angle .
The Straight Sided Pyramid - The normal pyramid that
we see around on television etc. often . All 4 sides of it bend in to
the top-center .

Building a pyramid
First they would choose a place to build , on the west bank of the
Nile , on rock not sand , and far above anywhere the flood
waters can reach .
Next they had to make a base for the pyramid , without the base
even slightly sloping .
They cut a stream or channel , around the construction are , and
filled most of it with water .
Now they could see where exactly level is , by looking at the
settled water . The water drained away , and the channels filled
in. The pyramids were made of good quality limestone which was
quarried in Giza .
With the first stone blocks , they made the room , to hold the
coffin or sarcophagus , and the hallway or walkway to the room .
We still have no idea how the pyramids were build , but some
experts think , that they were built one layer at a time , using
ramps to get up there .
When the pyramid shape was built , they removed the ramp as
they went down , covering the pyramid with granite or quartz , for
a polished like finish .

The Great Pyramid
By far the largest and greatest pyramid .
King Khufu ordered it to be build for him , he was in power of
Egypt for about 25 years .
King Khufu , was known as a Tyrant , he was so conceited that
he wanted himself to have the largest tomb , and ordered his to
be made . It is around 500 feet high , and 750 feet long .
The Great Pyramid is the largest structure to ever be built before
recent times .
It was once surrounded by hundreds of temples and tombs !

General Summary
Just like the sphinx , it still remains a mystery as to how such
primitive humans , could transport and lift such heavy stone
blocks , some people say that it cannot be done even today .
Some people believe that "alien beings" were responsible for the
construction of the pyramids . Another mystery of the pyramids is
the fact that they are exactly in line with certain stars . If you look
at the pictures below , you can see that the pyramids are all
rough ,
and have 'steps' all the way up them . When they were first build
, the were covered in quartz , so the pyramids were very smooth
and glossy . It is very hard to imagine . Over time , people took
the quartz , partly to make new buildings , and partly to make the
pyramids climbable .

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