 |
| The Ancient Egyptians
constructed pyramids as tombs for the pharaohs
and their queens. There are eighty pyramids from this time period
known to us today . The three largest pyramids were built at Giza,
a town located near Cairo in northern Egypt. The largest of the three
belonged to the Pharaoh, Khufu. The size of the pyramid depended
on the importance of the pharaoh.
Approximately 21/2 million limestone blocks were used to build a pyramid. Each limestone block weighed about 2 tons. The average pyramid was about 479 feet. The base of a pyramid was square and about 820 feet long. Inside the pyramid there was the King's Chamber, the Queen's Chamber, the Grand Gallery, many air shafts, and an underground room. Sphinxes were built to guard the pyramids. The sphinx guarding the pyramids at Giza has the head of King Chephren and the body of a lion. The body is 66 feet high and 240 feet long. |