Pyramids

Built as tombs for the pharaos of ancient Egypt, the true pyramid was square at the base and rose steeply to a point, or apex. the triangular outline, as seen in great pyramid of Giza, was significant to the Egyptians-it represented the mound upon which sun god stood when he created the other gods. Thousands of years later, Central American peoples, such as the Maya, also built pyramid-like structures. These are made of stone blocks, and featured straight, steep staircases. They were often topped with temple. The great pyramid is 146metre high, and each side is 230metre at the base –the largest of all the pyramids. it dates from 2567BC.Inside part of the great pyramid consists of 2.3million limestone blocks, and it took about 20years to build. The royal burial chamber had granite doors. The great pyramid was the oldest of the seven wonders of the ancient world. The uppermost burial chamber contained Khufu’s coffin; but the other chambers may be false. Pyramids like this were usually in a large complex. Pyramids were built using massive blocks of limestone-most of the blocks in the great pyramid weigh 2.5tonnes or more. the Egyptians probably used some form of ramp to raise these blocks into the position.