Egyptian Pyramids

Egyptian Pyramids

The pyramids of Egypt are the oldest buildings that remain standing. Conceived for eternity, they are the living testimony of a religious mentality, but also of a powerful and prosperous empire, whose vocation of power allowed it to be sustained for more than 3000 years.

The pyramids of Egypt are an enigma for society, although they were not always in the eye of the world. Stripped of part of its beauty throughout history, the pyramids were covered by the veil of silence for a long time, at least for the western world.

Several milestones in history would influence this. The first one, the fall of the Egyptian empire before the Roman empire in the year 31 BC, when Octavio triumphed before Marco Antonio, lover and ally of Cleopatra, in the battle of Accio. After that, some pyramids were used as a quarry for Roman engineering projects.

The same fate would run the pyramids when the Muslims, centuries later, used the limestone of the facades for their mosques and buildings.

It was in Napoleon's campaign for those lands when he revived interest in the Egyptian world. Napoleon took with him a group of intellectuals to record the findings. The campaign of Egypt and Syria, which took place between 1798 and 1801, had as its only trophy the treasures of those magnificent pyramids. This was the birth of Egyptology, the science that studies the history of Ancient Egypt

The birth of the pyramids

The archaic period of Egypt will be the starting point for the formation of this vast empire. Born with the unification of Upper Egypt (north) and Lower Egypt (south) in the mandate of Menes or Narmer, founder of the I dynasty. This process would have started towards the year 3150 BC.

The site will be the fertile land of the Nile River, whose annual floods facilitated cultivation. In addition to the construction of canals and dikes, the river favored a less labor-intensive agriculture and, therefore, free time for the development of other companies. Also, the Nile was an important and prosperous trade route.

It will be Pharaoh Zoser who inaugurates the Old Empire at the founding of the III dynasty, around 2700 B.C. approximately. This pharaoh will undertake an authentic cultural revolution with the construction of the step pyramid of Saqqara, the first pyramid.

Only after it, the architects at the service of the IV dynasty will formulate the famous pyramids of smooth faces. The best known will be the Snefru or Senerefu pyramid, the red pyramid and, of course, the Cheops, Chephren and Micerino pyramids, located in the Giza necropolis.

The step pyramid of Zoser

The first architect to have a record in history is Imhotep, and was responsible for the construction of the stepped pyramid of Zoser. It is located in the Saqqara necropolis in Memphis. It was part of a complex consisting of a temple and other massive buildings, around which various celebrations were held.

The stepped pyramid of Zoser had its origin in the first tombs of the pharaohs, which were limited to underground structures on which a mastaba or truncated adobe pyramid was built. With this reference model, Imhotep devised a more complex system, based on superimposing several mastabas, from larger to smaller, to create a monumental ascending staircase.

 

 Characteristics of the pyramid of Zoser

Among its main features can be counted the following:

Rectangular base 140 x 118 m;

Original height of 60 meters.

Structure of six overlapping mastabas.

Materials used: siliceous limestone and mortar for the body; fine limestone for the outer coating.

It underwent several redesigns over time, with the purpose of including the entire royal family and converting the building into a large complex.

It contains:

11 wells 32 meters deep;

2 alabaster sarcophagi;

rooms covered in slab of faience;

48 thousand pieces of pottery and stone vessels with inscriptions from previous dynasties.

Zoser's Funeral Chamber:

Located in the center of the pyramid.

Materials: granite with plaster coating.

The pyramid of Snefru or layered pyramid

The first pyramid of smooth faces that was made in Egypt was that of Pharaoh Snefru or Seneferu, who also ordered the construction of the so-called Red Pyramid, Pyramid of Meidum and Pyramid of Seila.

The pyramid of Snefru is located 40 kilometers from the city of Cairo. It is distinguished by having an abrupt change of inclination in the upper half of its body. It is for this reason that it is also called "layered pyramid".

It began to be built with an inclination of about 54º, which would have given it a greater height. Over time, the structure did not support the weight. The Egyptians had to correct the inclination to be able to carry out the work as it threatened to collapse due to the weight. Therefore, from the second half, they opted for an inclination of 43º.

Characteristics of the pyramid of Snefru
Pending:
Lower half: 54.34º;
Upper half: 43º;
Measures: 188.60 meters wide by 105.07 meters high;
Two entrances: one northern and one western. The latter makes it different from the rest of the pyramids;
1 false vault inside;
First time use of staggered vaults on four faces;
2 processional roads;
Without sarcophagus;
Closure system with harrows;
It maintains the largest mars of the coating.

The red pyramid

The red pyramid was also commissioned by Snefru or Seneferu. This is the first successful pyramid model with smooth faces. It was destined to be the tomb of this pharaoh. It receives its name for the current appearance, since it has lost all the outer coating in white limestone. In fact, it was formerly called "The bright pyramid." It is part of a funerary complex with a temple made of adobe.

Characteristics

Measures: 104.40 meters high. West to east face of 221.50 meters; face from north to south of 218.50 meters.

Slope: 43º.

Materials: interior of red limestone and white limestone lining.

Unique pyramid with faces at ground level.

Two antechambers

Smooth pyramidion adjacent to the pyramid.

The Cheops Pyramid

The pyramid of Cheops is known as the great pyramid of Giza located in the Giza Necropolis. It was built in the IV dynasty by the architect Hemiunu under the orders of Pharaoh Keops. It is estimated that it could have been completed by 2570 B.C.

Characteristics of the Cheops pyramid

Measures: 138 meters high by 227 meters wide.

Slope: 51º 50 '39 ".

Materials: common limestone body and polished white limestone exterior cladding.

It lost part of its lining due to the 16th century earthquake, as well as the Ottoman plunder.

3 main cameras:

King's chamber: granite material, rectangular plan, smooth surfaces and presence of a sarcophagus. No decoration;

Queen's Chamber: The name was wrongly attributed by the Arabs. The room contained an image or spiritual representation of the pharaoh, called the Ka statue. Rectangular plant; gable roof; smooth walls without decoration;

Underground chamber: rectangular plant; smooth walls and ceiling; irregular ground; 2 rooms and a well;

2 passages, one ascending and one descending;

1 large gallery 47 meters long by 8 meters high, which forms a false vault;

2 ventilation channels for each real chamber.

The Chephren Pyramid

Also called the pyramid of Jafra, this is also part of the funeral complex. In fact, on its eastern side it has a temple for this purpose as well as a processional road to the Temple of the Valley. It seems to be the highest due to its location.

Characteristics of the pyramid of Kephren

Original measurements: 145.49 meters high by 215.25 meters. Currently its height is 143.48 meters.

Slope: 53º 07 '48 ";

Materials: common limestone body and polished white limestone outer coating;

It was built following the Egyptian sacred triangle of proportions: 3-4-5;

It contains:

    2 entrances on the north side;

    1 chamber carved in rock, with gabled granite roof;

    1 black granite sarcophagus.

The pyramid of Micerino

The pyramid of Menkaura or Micerino in Greek, is the smallest of the pyramids of smooth faces found in the Necropolis of Giza. He was dedicated to Pharaoh Menkaura of the IV dynasty, son of Kephren and grandson of Cheops. Herodotus collected the testimonies about him, who was said to be a just ruler.

The huge difference in scales between the Pyramid of Micerino and its predecessors are a sign of a breaking point. The construction of those two previous colossal pyramids had meant a great investment of material resources and a great human effort.

When Micerino ascended the throne, the weariness of that kingdom was evident. Although its pyramid would not be the last, it would be the last to be built only in stone. Dynasties V and VI were content with small pyramids in which they used materials such as small stones and debris for fillings.

It is believed that the government of Micerino would have had a sudden end, since the pyramid was finished off roughly, when in fact it was destined to be coated with red granite. Instead, the stones that were used for coating were painted to achieve the intended visual effect.

At present, the north face is cracked after the attempt of Al-Aziz Uthman, son of Saladin, to steal his treasures or use it as a quarry, which occurred in 1196. Something similar happened in the 19th century with the attempts of Colonel Howard Vyse and the engineer John Perring who, unlike the previous one, tried to make known the interior of the pyramids. The problem was that they used methods such as gunpowder, which destroyed part of the heritage.

Gradually Vyse and Perring found other methods, and this allowed them to unveil the mystery inside the pyramid. Among everything they found, they found a decorated red basalt sarcophagus, empty and without a lid. He was packed to send to the British Museum, but the ship was shipwrecked on the way.

Characteristics of the Pyramid of Micerino

Measures: 64 meters high. Base of 104.6 x 102.2 meters.

Slope: 51º 36 '21 ".

Materials: common limestone body and red painted limestone exterior cladding;

It is part of a complex on whose south face there are 3 pyramids called "the pyramids of the queens" and a temple on the east side connected by a brick road;

Descending passage of 31 meters in length;

1 chamber decorated with false door;

1 antechamber;

A second passage that leads to 6 niches

How they built the pyramids of Egypt

Contrary to widespread popular belief, the Egyptian pyramids were not built by slaves, but by free artisans. The Egyptologists reached this conclusion after the discovery of several graves with human remains, whose burial elements allowed to determine their occupation and even their food. These workers were very well fed. The dedication to his trade was highly valued, since these tombs, in the immediate vicinity of the pyramids, were carefully decorated.

Little is known about how the pyramids were built, but experts rule out any non-human explanation. Today it has been learned that they used tools such as: copper saws not jagged with sand, whose friction made the cuts; pendulum or plumb brackets for measurements; copper chisels with arsenic; water channel system to study the level of the base, etc.

The function of the pyramids of Egypt

Much has been speculated about the function of the pyramids of Egypt throughout history. Today it is known that these buildings fulfilled a funerary function. They were monumental mausoleums to house the body of the authorities after his death. But still, how would the channels found inside these large masses of limestone and granite be explained? The answer is even deeper.

The ancient Egyptians believed that their pharaohs were authentic gods. By leaving the mortal plane, they must find their way to the hereafter. This would require two things in this world: first, to preserve the body from physical corruption, which is why they practiced mummification. Second, create conditions to guide them on their ascending path.

Thus, that would be the ultimate function of the pyramids: authentic astro-spiritual devices or engines that would help the deceased to become an eternal star in the sky.

The symbology of the pyramids

The Egyptologists argue with conviction that the pyramids were made by human hands, despite the challenge of explaining the construction of that portent with such archaic methods. This does not deny that behind them there are symbols to decipher. After all, the human being is a symbolic animal.

For the most daring theorists, at least the pyramids of Cheops, Chephren and Micerinus would have a relationship with the cosmic dimension. This conclusion is based on the similarity between the alignment of these three pyramids and the alignment of the Orion stars. This would only explain the pyramids of the Giza necropolis, so it does not offer a convincing answer about the pyramids as a whole.

Most Egyptologists agree to point out three essential symbolic elements of the pyramids: the first one, the so-called benben stone or cornerstone; the second, the sun; the third, the bird Bennu.

The stone of Benben or pyramidion is a sacred stone in angular form (pyramidal, similar to the tip of a mountain), which was believed to have the power to illuminate whoever was under its influence. It was worshiped in the Temple of Ra in the Hélópolis and in other latitudes of the empire. As a piece of worship, the stone used to be richly carved and golden in color, so that it reflected the light.

It receives its name from Egyptian mythology, according to which Benben was a primordial mountain that would have been born from the ocean of Nun. Benben would be the place of origin of the god Atum, and there he would create his consort. Thus, Benben is associated with the light of the rising sun, image of the birth of the divine.

The symbology would not be complete without referring to the Bennu bird, the Egyptian equivalent of the Greek Phoenix, which also relates to the sun and has the property of being reborn from its ashes. According to Egyptian accounts, the bird Bennu used to stop at the top of the Benben.

These three elements make up a complete symbolic route: the beam of the rising sun, which opens in a pyramidal way between the clouds touches the angled tip of the Benben mountain, where the eternal Bennu bird perches. From there, therefore, the architectural model of the Egyptian pyramids could have been born.

That is why the Egyptian pyramids and the obelisks were crowned with the cornerstone, which is also called pyramidion. It would be necessary, then, to imagine the luminous spectacle of those pyramids, covered in well-polished white limestone, under the inclement midday sun. That dazzling show would undoubtedly be blinding. The pyramids would be erected as well as authentic sources of light, whose impossibility would subdue any mortal.

List of Egyptian pyramids

    Step Pyramid of Zoser. Dyeser (Zoser) -III dynasty. Saqqara

    Buried pyramid. Sejemjet-III dynasty. Saqqara

    Stratified Pyramid Jaba-III dynasty. Zawyet el-Aryan.

    Unfinished pyramid of Zawyet el-Aryan. Nebkara-IV dynasty.Zawyet el-Aryan.

    Pyramid of Meidum. Seneferu (1st) (started by Huny in 2612) -III / IV dynasties.Meidum.

    Layered Pyramid Seneferu (2nd) -IV dynasty.Dahshur.

    Red pyramid Seneferu (3rd) -IV dynasty.Dahshur.

    Great Pyramid of Giza. Cheops (Jufu) -IV dynasty. Guiza.

    The star Sehedu of Dyedefra (destroyed). Dyedefra-IV dynasty.Abu Roash.

    Pyramid of Khafre. Kefrén (Jafra) -IV dynasty. Guiza.

    Pyramid of Micerino. Micerino (Menkaura) -IV dynasty.Guiza.

    Mastaba of Shepseskaf. Shepseskaf-IV dynasty. Saqqara.

    Pyramid of Jentkaus I. Jentkaus I-IV dynasty. Saqqara.

    Pure are the places of Userkaf.Userkaf-V dynasty.Saqqara.

    Sahura's spirit shines. Sahura-V dynasty.Abusir.

    Pyramid of the Ba of Neferirkara.Neferirkara-V dynasty.Abusir.

    Unfinished Pyramid Shepseskara-V dynasty.Abusir.

    Divine pyramid of the spirits of Ba. Neferefra-Isi (mastaba) -V dynasty.Abusir.

    Nyuserra places last. Nyuserra-Iny-V dynasty.Abusir.

    Nameless. Menkauhor-Ikauhor-V dynasty. Saqqara (?).

    Beautiful is Isesi. Dyedkara-Isesi-V dynasty. Saqqara.

    Perfect places of Unis.Unis-V dynasty.Saqqara.

    Pyramid of Teti The places of Teti last.Teti-VI dynasty.Saqqara.

    Pepy's perfection is established. Pepy I-VI dynasty. Saqqara.

    Merenra's perfection appears. Merenra I-VI dynasty. Saqqara.

    Pepi is established and alive. Pepy II-VI dynasty. Saqqara.

    Nameless. Neferkara Neby-VII dynasty. Saqqara (?).

    Unnamed (mastaba) .Kakaura Ibi-VIII dynasty. Saqqara.

    Pyramid of Jui. Jui-VIII dynasty.

    Nameless. Iti-VIII dynasty. (?)

    Nameless. Merykara-X dynasty. (?)

    The places of appearance of Amenemhat.Amenemhat I-XII dynasty. El-lisht.

    Senusert contemplates the two lands. Senusert I-XII dynasty. El-lisht.

    White pyramid Amenemhat II-XII dynasty. Dashur

    Senusert appears. Senusert II-XII dynasty. El-Lahun

    Nameless. Senusert III-XII dynasty. Dahshur.

    Black Pyramid Amenemhat III (1st) -XII dynasty. Dahshur.

    Amenemhat lives. Amenemhat III (2nd) -XII dynasty. Hawara

    Nameless. Amenemhat IV-XII dynasty. Mazghuna

    Nameless. Neferusobek-XII dynasty. Mazghuna

    Nameless. Ameny Qemau-XIII dynasty. Dahshur.

    Pyramid of Jendyer.Jendyer-XIII dynasty. Saqqara

    Pyramid of Amosis. Amosis I-XVIII dynasty. Abidos

Documentation needed to travel to Egypt

You need a passport with a minimum validity of six months, from the date of return and mandatory visa for Spanish and community. The visa is obtained upon arrival in Egypt, 1 single ticket costs $ 25, or its equivalent in euros or Egyptian pounds. Other nationalities other than Spanish and / or community consult with the Egyptian embassy. It is also common that in motorcycles and hotels, the reception collects passports to make a copy of them. Likewise, the guide or the representative can also request them.

Holidays

In Egypt the holiday is Friday, this being like Sunday in Spain, although in many cases the tourist activities and places remain open.

Taxis

Authentic taxis (black and white) circulate freely and are easy to find in hotels or at stops near tourist areas. It is advisable to agree the price of the trip before riding the taxi.

Tips

In the Arab countries it becomes an imperative in the service sector: waiters, trunk, taxi drivers, drivers, etc. It is customary to tip 5% in hotels and 10% in taxis.

Stores

In Egypt, tourist establishments usually remain open until 8:00 p.m., except for some that close at noon and reopen in the afternoon.

Purchases

Time is needed to go shopping. The word buy in Egypt is related to souks and bargaining, invitations to drink mint tea, lots of conversation and good atmosphere. The relationship between seller and buyer should be a tug of war until both parties are satisfied. Most people buy gold and silver jewelry (sold by weight and not for the work done), alabaster works, a cartouche with your name in hieroglyphic writing or pendants with beetles, eyes of Horus or the hand of Fatima of luck set. Ceramics, papyri, replicas of museum pieces, Bedouin weapons, brass copies of pyramids or seed necklaces.