Egyptian pyramids: a story in which there are fewer mysteries. Egyptian pyramids. Great architecture of antiquity

general information

Among the Egyptian pyramids there are huge and more modest scales, with a smooth surface and stepped ones, which are very well preserved and resemble a pile of ruins. They can be observed in Saqqara and Memphis, Khawara and Upper Egypt, Medum and Abusir, El Lahun and Abu Ravash. However, only a few are considered the main tourist sites, namely the pyramids in Giza, a suburb of the Egyptian capital, erected, as is commonly believed, during the reign of the IV-VI dynasties of the pharaohs, which fell on the XXVI-XXIII centuries BC. e.

Looking at these grandiose creations of human hands, you involuntarily think: how much time and effort was spent on the construction of such structures, which seem - at least in their scale - absolutely useless. Either the pharaohs who ruled 45 centuries ago thereby wanted to emphasize their own divinity and the greatness of their era, or these structures contain some hidden meaning that is still inaccessible to our understanding. But it is difficult to comprehend it, because the secrets are securely hidden under the layer of millennia, and we have no choice but to build guesses and versions, hoping that sooner or later all the secret will definitely become clear ...

Secrets of the Egyptian pyramids

The Egyptian pyramids are shrouded in a halo of myths and secrets, and with the passage of time and the development of science, there are still more questions than answers. As the proverb says: "Everything in the world is afraid of time, but time itself is afraid of the pyramids." Interest is fueled by various theories about the appearance of these majestic monuments. Fans of the mystical consider the pyramids to be powerful energy sources and believe that the pharaohs spent time in them not only after death, but also during their lifetime in order to draw strength. There are also quite incredible ideas: for example, some believe that the Egyptian pyramids were built by aliens, and others that the blocks were moved by people who own a magic crystal. Let's look at the generally accepted and most likely scenario.

Religion in the life of ancient Egypt occupied a dominant position. It shaped both the worldview of the people and their entire culture. Death was perceived only as a transition to another world, so preparation for it had to take place ahead of time, even during earthly life. However, the privilege of remaining "immortal" was, as it was believed, only with the pharaoh and members of his family. And he, at his own discretion, could bestow it on his entourage. Commoners were deprived of the right to an afterlife, with the exception of servants and slaves, whom the powerful ruler "took" with him. Nothing should have interfered with the comfortable "existence" of a high-ranking deceased, so he was supplied with everything necessary - food supplies, household utensils, weapons, servants.

At first, the rulers were buried in special "houses after life", and in order for the body of the pharaoh to be preserved for centuries, he was embalmed. These early burial buildings - mastabas - date back to the period of the first dynasties. They consisted of an underground burial chamber and an above-ground part in the form of a stone structure, where chapels were equipped and grave goods were located. In section, these tombs resembled a trapezoid. They were built in Abydos, Nagadei, Upper Egypt. The main necropolis of the then capital of the first dynasties - the city of Memphis - was located in Saqqara.

Actually, pyramidal tombs began to be erected about 5 thousand years ago. The initiator of their construction was Pharaoh Djoser (or Necherihet), the first in the III dynasty of the Old Kingdom. The construction of the necropolis named after this ruler was led by the supreme dignitary and famous architect of his time, Imhotep, who was almost equated with a deity. If we discard all the fantastic versions about the contacts of the then rulers with aliens and proceed from the fact that these structures were nevertheless built by people on their own, then the scale of the work, their laboriousness cannot but impress. Experts tried to establish their chronology and nature, and here are the results they came up with. Since the pyramids are made of stone blocks, the question immediately arose: where and how were they mined? It turned out, in the rocks ...

Having marked the shape in the rock and hollowed out the grooves, dry trees were inserted into them, which were watered with water. From moisture, they expanded and created cracks in the rock, facilitating the process of excavating blocks. Then they were immediately, on the spot, subjected to processing with tools and, having given the desired shape, they were sent by river to the construction site. But how did the Egyptians lift these heavy masses up? First, they were loaded onto wooden sleds and pulled along gentle embankments. By modern standards, such technologies look backward. However, the quality of work is top notch! The megaliths are so closely adjacent to each other that there are practically no mismatches.

The Pyramid of Djoser, located in Saqqara, is considered the very first pyramid in Egypt and the oldest of such large stone structures surviving in the world (its size is 125 by 115 meters with a height of 62 meters). It was built in 2670 BC. e. and has the appearance of a building with six huge lined steps. Because of such an unusual shape, it was called the “false pyramid” in those distant times. The pyramid of Djoser began to attract the attention of travelers since the Middle Ages, and this interest has not dried up to this day.

The architect initially did not plan to build such a pyramid. The stepped tomb became in the process of construction. In the presence of steps, a symbolic meaning is clearly guessed: the deceased pharaoh was supposed to ascend to heaven along them. This structure differed from previous necropolises in that it was built of stone, not brick. And one more feature: the presence of a very wide and deep vertical shaft, closed from above by a dome. In the pyramids built later, there is nothing of the kind. Of no less interest to archaeologists and Egyptologists are the marble fragments under the sarcophagus, on which carved images resembling stars are visible. These are clearly fragments of some unknown structure, but no one knows exactly which one.

The Pyramid of Djoser was intended not only for himself, and in this it also differs from other similar structures. In the burial chambers, there are only 12 of them, the ruler and members of his family were buried. Archaeologists discovered the mummy of an 8-9-year-old boy, apparently a son. But the body of the pharaoh himself could not be found. Perhaps he owned the mummified heel found here. Even in ancient times, it is believed that robbers entered the tomb, probably abducting its dead "owner" as well.

However, the version of the robbery does not seem so unambiguous. When examining the inner galleries, gold jewelry, porphyry bowls, clay and stone jugs and other valuables were found. Why didn't the thieves carry all this wealth? Historians were also interested in the seals affixed to small clay vessels. The name “Sekemhet” was written on them, translated as “mighty in body”. It clearly belonged to an unknown pharaoh of one of the powerful dynasties. Everything indicated that in ancient times the construction of another pyramid was started here, but for some reason it was not completed. They even found an empty sarcophagus, the internal state of which allowed us to conclude that no one was buried here ...

As for the pyramid of Djoser itself, the attraction has been well preserved to this day and is open to tourists. The entrance to it, as well as to other structures on the territory, is located on the north side. A tunnel equipped with columns leads inside. The northern temple, whose location on the ground is clear from the name itself, forms a single architectural ensemble with the pyramid. Funeral services were held in it and sacrifices were made in the name of the pharaoh.

Egyptian pyramids at Giza

The most famous among all the Egyptian pyramids are the so-called great pyramids, located in Giza - the third largest city in the modern Arab Republic of Egypt, with a population of almost 3 million people. The metropolis is located on the west bank of the Nile, about 20 km from Cairo and is actually a suburb of the capital.

The Great Pyramids of Giza are by far the most popular ancient monuments in the country. For many years, visiting them has become almost a ritual for tourists. Fly to Egypt and not see these majestic structures with your own eyes? This is unimaginable! Many travelers even consider this place spiritual, connected with the cosmos, and visiting here becomes akin to some kind of healing. Recent studies have shown that the builders of the necropolises pointed them surprisingly accurately to the belt of the constellation Orion, in which there is an as yet unrevealed meaning. It is also interesting that their faces are oriented to the sides of the sun, and this is done with the same accuracy.

The Egyptian pyramids at Giza are undoubtedly an extremely impressive sight. Their sandstone façades reflect the sunlight: pink in the morning, golden in the afternoon, and dark crimson at dusk. It is impossible not to admire the feat of engineering and organization that resulted in millions of stone blocks being transported from one place to another and accurately stacked on top of each other without power plants or lifting equipment.

The complex of the great pyramids is made up of the tombs of the three most ancient rulers - Cheops, Khafre and Mykerin. Unlike the previous "houses after life" (makabs), these necropolises have a strict pyramidal shape. Moreover, the first of them is the only one of the seven wonders of the world that have survived to this day.

Pyramid of Cheops (Khufu)

You can talk about the pyramid of Cheops (or Khufu) for a long time and a lot, but in any case the story will be incomplete, because it continues to keep many unsolved secrets. One of them is the orientation to the North Pole exactly along the meridian: with its top, the monumental structure “looks” at the North Star. It is amazing how ancient architects could make such accurate calculations without modern astronomical instruments. This accuracy has even less error than the famous Paris Observatory.

Cheops, the second pharaoh of the fourth dynasty of Ancient Egypt, who reigned for 27 years, has the glory of a cruel and despotic ruler. He literally exhausted the resources of his kingdom, directing them to the construction of the pyramid. He was also merciless to his people, forcing them to overwork on the construction of his posthumous "dwelling". The Great Pyramid was built in three stages, as evidenced by the corresponding number of chambers. The first, its area is 8 by 14 meters, was carved deep into the rock, the second (5.7 x 5.2 m) - under the top of the pyramid. The third chamber - it is the only one of them completed - and became the tomb of the pharaoh. Special mention should be made of her. It stretches 10.4 m from west to east, and 5.2 m from south to north. Granite slabs, with which the room is lined, fit perfectly to each other. Nine monolithic blocks form the ceiling, their total weight is 400 tons.

Each cell has its own “hallway” connected to adjacent shaft corridors. At first, the entrance to the tomb was located on the north side and was located above the base at a height of 25 meters. Currently, you can enter the pyramid from another place, and this entrance is not so high. The builders could hardly have imagined that after several thousand years their brainchild would become a tourist attraction, so the 40-meter corridor was made not only narrow, but also low. Numerous tourists have to overcome it by crouching. The corridor ends with a wooden staircase. It leads to the same low room, which is the center of the entire necropolis.

The height of the pyramid of Cheops is more than 146 meters - this is the "growth" of a 50-story skyscraper. After the Great Wall of China, it is she who is the largest structure ever erected in all of human history. The attraction is not in "loneliness", there are several other buildings around it. Of these, only three companion pyramids and the ruins of the mortuary temple have survived to this day. Obviously, no less effort was made to build them. According to the most common version, the companion pyramids were intended for the wives of the ruler.

Pyramid of Khafre (Khafra)

A pharaoh named Khafre was either the son or brother of Cheops and reigned after him. His pyramid, located nearby, is somewhat smaller, however, at first glance, it is perceived as more significant. And all because it stands on some elevation. The pyramid of Khafre was found during archaeological excavations in 1860. The tomb of this ancient Egyptian ruler is “protected” by the famous Sphinx, which looks like a lion lying on the sand, whose face may have been given the features of Khafre himself. Being the oldest of the monumental sculptures preserved on our planet (its length is 72 m, height is 20 m), it is interesting in itself. Egyptologists tend to think that the tombs of the two pharaohs, together with the sphinx, represent a single burial complex. Slaves, it is believed, were not involved in the construction of this pyramid: free workers were hired for this purpose ...

Pyramid of Menkaure (Menkaure)

And finally, the pyramid of Menkaure is the third in the complex of great monuments of Giza. Also known as the Pyramid of Menkaure, it bears the name of the fifth pharaoh of the fourth ancient Egyptian dynasty. Little is known about this ruler - only that he was the son of Cheops (at least, the ancient Greek historian Herodotus claimed so). This necropolis is called the "younger brother" of the two aforementioned tombs: it was built later than the others and the lowest of them, its height is slightly more than 65 meters. Such a modest size testifies to the decline of the ancient kingdom, the lack of resources necessary for the construction.

However, the monumentality of the structure as such did not suffer from this. For example, the weight of one of the blocks used in the construction of the mortuary temple exceeds 200 tons, which makes it the heaviest on the Giza plateau. Just imagine what inhuman efforts had to be made to put this colossus in place. And the majestic statue of the pharaoh himself, seated inside the temple! It is one of the largest sculptures embodying that mysterious era ... The destruction of the entire historical and architectural complex in Giza, conceived by Sultan al-Malik al-Aziz, who ruled at the end of the 12th century, could begin from the pyramid of Mikerin, as the smallest. The dismantling of the necropolis lasted about a year, but the practical result was minimal. The Sultan was eventually forced to turn them off, because his, frankly, stupid and unjustified undertaking entailed exorbitant costs.

Sphinx

At the base of the sacred causeway that once connected the pyramid of Khafre with the Nile, there is the Sphinx - a mysterious sculpture with the head of Khafre attached to a lion's body. In Egyptian mythology, sphinxes were guardian deities, and this sculpture is a protective monument 73 m long and 20 m high. After the death of the pharaoh, the body of the Sphinx was gradually covered with desert sands. Thutmose IV believed that the statue addressed him and said that he would become pharaoh if he cleared the sand, which he hastened to do. Since then, the ancient Egyptians believed that the monument had prophetic powers.

Solar Boat Museum

Behind the pyramid of Cheops is the Museum of the Solar Boat, which houses a beautifully restored cedar boat, on which the body of the dead pharaoh was transported from the east to the west bank of the Nile.

Useful information for tourists

The Great Pyramid Complex of Giza is open to the public from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm daily. The exceptions are the winter months (opening hours until 16:30) and the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, when access closes at 15:00.

Some travelers believe that if the pyramids are located in the open air and are not a museum in the truest sense of the word, then here you can feel free to climb and climb these structures. Remember: it is strictly forbidden to do this - in the interests of your own safety!

Before agreeing to enter the pyramids, objectively assess your psychological state and physical health. Persons who have a fear of closed spaces (claustrophobia) should skip this part of the tour. Due to the fact that inside the tombs it is usually dry, hot and a little dusty, it is not recommended to enter here for asthmatics, hypertensive patients and those suffering from other diseases of the cardiovascular and nervous system.

How much will a tourist visit the Egyptian pyramids area? Cost has several components. The entrance ticket to it will cost you 60 Egyptian pounds, which is equivalent to about 8 euros. Would you like to visit the pyramid of Cheops? For this you will have to pay 100 pounds or 13 euros. Inspection from the inside of the Khafre pyramid is much cheaper - 20 pounds or 2.60 euros.

A visit to the Solar Boat Museum, which is located south of the Cheops Pyramid (40 pounds or 5 euros), is also paid separately. Taking pictures in the pyramid zone is allowed, but for the right to take pictures you will have to pay 1 euro. Visiting other pyramids in Giza - for example, the mother and wife of Pharaoh Khafre - is not paid.

Many tourists admit that, after getting to know the main sights, they don’t want to leave this amazing place, literally saturated with the spirit of antiquity. In such cases, you can rent camels for leisurely walks. Their owners wait for clients right at the foot of the pyramids. They may overcharge for their services. Do not settle for it right away, bargain, and you will get a discount.

• The Pyramid of Cheops is the only surviving wonder of the world.
• The pyramids were built for two centuries and were built several at a time. Now, according to the studies of various scientists, their age is from 4 to 10 thousand years.
• In addition to the exact mathematical proportions, the pyramids have another feature in this area. The stone blocks are arranged in such a way that there are no gaps between them at all, even the thinnest blade will not fit through.
• Each side of the pyramid is located in the direction of one side of the world.
• The Pyramid of Cheops, the largest in the world, reaches a height of 146 meters, and its weight is more than six million tons.
• If you want to know how the Egyptian pyramids were built, you can learn interesting facts about the construction from the pyramids themselves. Construction scenes are depicted on the walls of the aisles. The sides of the pyramids are curved by one meter so that they can accumulate solar energy. Thanks to this, the pyramids could reach thousands of degrees and emit an incomprehensible rumble from such incandescence.
• For the pyramid of Cheops, a perfectly straight foundation was made, so the faces differ from each other by only five centimeters.
• The first pyramid built is dated 2670 BC. e. In appearance, it resembles several pyramids located next to each other. The architect created a type of masonry that helped achieve this effect.
• The pyramid of Cheops was created from 2.3 million blocks, perfectly even and matching each other.
• Structures similar to the Egyptian pyramids are also found in Sudan, where the tradition was later picked up.
• Archaeologists managed to find the village where the pyramid builders lived. A brewery and a bakery were discovered there.

How to get there

Tourists from Russia and the CIS countries usually prefer to spend their holidays in Sharm el-Sheikh or Hurghada and often want to combine their holidays on magnificent beaches with a visit to the Giza pyramid complex. Since the resorts are far enough from the named city, you can only get there as part of an excursion group. If you go by bus, then you will have to spend from 6 to 8 hours on the way. By plane it will be faster: fly in just 60 minutes. It can also be reached by car with a driver. It is much more comfortable, but it will significantly hit the wallet.

In a more advantageous position are those who rest in Cairo, or stay in the Egyptian capital on a business trip. They can take the bus (routes nos. 900 and 997) or the subway (yellow line no. 2, exit at Giza station). Alternatively, you can call a taxi or catch one at Tahrir Square. The trip will cost more than public transport, but you will get there faster, in just half an hour. By the same car it will be possible to return and back, only you will have to pay a little more.

You can get to Giza from the capital by taking a bus in the New Cairo (aka Heliopolis) area, which follows one of two routes: No. 355 or No. 357. These comfortable vehicles, running every 20 minutes, are marked with the letters STA, on which they are easy to recognize. The final stop is just before the entrance to the pyramid zone, at the crossroads.

Egyptologists have no doubt that the pyramids were being built in Egypt when it entered the dynastic period. But for many authors of non-fiction books, this is far from a fact. In the extreme case, they agree that this statement is true for all such structures, except for the pyramid of Cheops. According to some authors, it is a monument left to us as a legacy from an extraterrestrial civilization that visited our planet tens of thousands of years ago. The already mentioned Zakaria Sitchin, one of dozens of defenders of this theory, argues that the Great Pyramid served as a beacon for spacecraft arriving on earth (as well as a "transit prison" for aliens). Others believe that this is a memorial built by the Atlanteans who survived the death of their civilization. According to some researchers, the pyramid of Cheops is a monument left to us as a legacy from some civilization that existed before the Flood. Thus, John Anthony West cites the nearby Sphinx as an example and states that traces of water erosion are “absolutely distinct” on it. According to him, what we now see "clearly" could not have arisen only as a result of downpours that have passed in this area since 2500 BC. Thus, he too puts the date of the construction of the pyramid of Cheops to 10,400 BC, a mythical date that leads so many to accept the interpretation of Seiss. Unfortunately, it is often implied that the prediction itself carries more weight than the rationale for a particular theory, or at least supports it. It is therefore quite logical that serious scientists, including Egyptologists, oppose people who wish to bring conjectures and predictions into scientific debates. Scientific discussions, as you know, do not require allegations and prophecies.

So on the basis of what does science determine the age of the pyramids? In 1984, a large-scale project to determine the dating of the pyramids based on the method of radiocarbon analysis began, during which 64 samples of organic substances were taken from the pyramids for analysis. The results showed that Egyptologists were wrong by about 400 years - the pyramids were older than previously thought. However, measurements of some samples showed that the pyramids are “only” 120 years older, but this is also significant. Mark Lenner, summing up the new discoveries, said: “Now this is really important ... I mean, this discovery caused a very strong sensation. It turns out that the pyramids at Giza are four hundred years older than most scientists thought.” Although Lenner himself is an Egyptologist, it must be admitted that he has a much more scientific approach to the problem than many scholars associated with this topic. Perhaps only because he just sincerely wants to understand it. Unfortunately, he is not very well versed in another science - psychology, because he "obviously" does not understand his colleagues: no such "strong hype" has arisen. Most Egyptologists have chosen to simply ignore the results of the research than to challenge them.

Based on a survey of 15 samples, the age of the Cheops pyramid was clarified and it was concluded that it was built no earlier than 2985 BC. - five hundred years earlier than previously thought. However, the specified date is not enough to attribute the construction of the pyramid to the Atlanteans, who supposedly lived more than 10,000 years ago. At this point, most commentators stop, but I would like to take my reasoning one step further, since radiocarbon analysis has posed several new questions for researchers. And one of them - were the pyramids on the Giza plateau built by the very pharaohs who are credited with their construction?

The Pyramid of Khafre was built twenty-five years after the completion of the construction of the Great Pyramid in 2960. This gives grounds to assume with a high degree of probability that both pyramids were components of a single complex and were built at the behest of pharaohs who lived one after the other (or maybe one and the other). the same). It would also be logical to expect that the Menkaure pyramid was built over the next twenty to fifty years. However, radiocarbon analysis determines the date of its construction around 2572 BC. - almost four centuries later than the Cheops pyramid! Moreover, during the analysis of the samples of the Sphinx, it turned out that it was built approximately in 2416 BC, that is, almost five centuries after the pyramid of Khafre, and it was assumed that this pyramid and the Sphinx were built together ...

However, the new dating of the time when the construction of the Great Pyramid was completed is 3000 BC. - did not suit both camps: neither Egyptologists, nor supporters of the version about the Atlanteans. And this proves once again that scientific experiments can sometimes be unpopular even among representatives of science. Both sides of the "scientific dispute" tried to ignore the important results of the experiment, because they do not correspond to their ideas. As a result, one can now read articles that include paragraphs like this: “Even if the radiocarbon analysis of fifteen samples from the Great Pyramid was carried out, as claimed, with the utmost care, we still cannot be sure that, based on its results, to speak accurately about the age of the entire structure. Samples for analysis were taken from the outer lining of the pyramid or from the space between the facing slabs and blocks of the pyramid, where they could have fallen at a later time during repair work. As for the temple of the Great Sphinx, the dates of its construction, determined by radiocarbon analysis (2085 and 2746 BC), cannot be considered accurate, since the large limestone blocks that make up the temple were made simultaneously with the Sphinx itself. And the results of the weathering of the rocks of this statue, according to most geologists (but not Egyptologists), leave no doubt that its age is at least seven or nine thousand years” (8).

In fact, however, there is only one geologist representing this "majority", and his name is Robert Schoch. But these passionate arguments for one point of view become even more scathing when we mention that new studies were conducted in 1995 with different, but similar materials, and they fully confirmed the results of the 1984 analyzes!

In the end, it becomes clear that the status of the Great Pyramid cannot but cause pity. How arrogantly we treat the only wonder of the world that has come down to us! However, the same can be said about the entire legacy of the Era of the Pyramids. Egyptologists have clung to outdated dogmas for too long and with a kind of childish stubbornness and have not come one iota closer to understanding the true nature of these structures. One should only welcome the contribution to the development of the science of ancient Egypt by such researchers as Davidovits, and subject their hypotheses to serious, thoughtful analysis and criticism. Instead, we hear so far from official science only caustic attacks and observe idiotic neglect. The method of radiocarbon analysis should be adopted by scientists and become the main means for determining the true age of various pyramids. It should also be recognized that since no mummy has yet been found in any of the pyramids, it means that there is a possibility that these structures were not built as tombs, even despite the fact that on the walls of some of them there are images with scenes of the pharaoh's journey to sky. I would also like to note that many rather controversial conclusions about the nature of the pyramids are made on the basis of completely ridiculous assumptions, and completely absurd theories often become very popular (for example, the theory that “they were built by the descendants of the Atlanteans in 10400 BC). e."). Nevertheless, it is clear that both sides are doing nothing to truly understand what the pyramids are, not to mention the fact that no one has been able to answer the question of who built them, when and why.

The first wonder of the world of all time, one of the main structures of our planet, a place full of secrets and mysteries, a point of constant pilgrimage for tourists - the Egyptian pyramids and in particular the pyramid of Cheops.

The construction of giant pyramids, of course, was far from an easy task. Huge efforts of a large number of people were made to deliver stone blocks to the Giza or Saqqara plateau, and later to the Valley of the Kings, which became the new necropolis of the pharaohs.

At the moment, there are about a hundred found pyramids in Egypt, but the finds continue, and their number is constantly increasing. At different times, different pyramids were understood as one of the 7 wonders of the world. Someone meant all the pyramids of Egypt as a whole, someone pyramids near Memphis, someone three large pyramids of Giza, and the critics recognized only the largest pyramid of Cheops.

The afterlife of ancient Egypt

One of the central moments in the life of the ancient Egyptians was religion, which formed the whole culture as a whole. Particular attention was paid to the afterlife, perceived as a clear continuation of earthly life. That is why the preparation for life after death began long before it, it was set as one of the main life tasks.

According to the ancient Egyptian belief, a person had several souls. The soul of Ka acted as a double of the Egyptian, whom he was to meet in the afterlife. The soul of Ba contacted the person himself, and left his body after death.

The religious life of the Egyptians and the god Anubis

At first, it was believed that only the pharaoh had the right to life after death, but he could bestow this "immortality" on his entourage, who were usually buried next to the tomb of the lord. Ordinary people were not destined to get into the world of the dead, the only exception was slaves and servants, whom the pharaoh “took” with him, and who were depicted on the walls of the great tomb.

But for a comfortable life after the death of the deceased, it was necessary to provide everything necessary: ​​food, household utensils, servants, slaves, and much more needed for the average pharaoh. They also tried to preserve the body of a person so that the soul of Ba could later unite with him again. Therefore, in matters of body preservation, embalming and the creation of complex pyramid tombs were born.

The first pyramid in Egypt. Pyramid of Djoser

Speaking about the construction of the pyramids in Ancient Egypt in general, it is worth mentioning the beginning of their history. The very first pyramid in Egypt was built about five thousand years ago at the initiative of Pharaoh Djoser. It is in these 5 millennia that the age of the pyramids in Egypt is estimated. The erection of the pyramid of Djoser was led by the famous and legendary Imhotep, who was even deified in later centuries.

Pyramid of Djoser

The entire complex of the building under construction occupied an area of ​​545 by 278 meters. Along the perimeter, it was surrounded by a 10-meter wall with 14 gates, only one of which was real. In the center of the complex was the pyramid of Djoser with sides 118 by 140 meters. The height of the pyramid of Djoser is 60 meters. Almost at a depth of 30 meters there was a burial chamber, to which corridors with many branches led. Utensils and sacrifices were kept in the branch rooms. Here, archaeologists found three bas-reliefs of Pharaoh Djoser himself. Near the eastern wall of the Djoser pyramid, 11 small burial chambers intended for the royal family were discovered.

Unlike the famous great pyramids of Giza, the pyramid of Djoser had a stepped shape, as if intended for the ascension of the pharaoh to heaven. Of course, this pyramid is inferior in popularity and size to the pyramid of Cheops, but still the contribution of the very first stone pyramid to the culture of Egypt is difficult to overestimate.

The Pyramid of Cheops. History and brief description

But still, the most famous for the ordinary population of our planet are the three pyramids of Egypt located nearby - Khafre, Mekerin and the largest and highest pyramid in Egypt - Cheops (Khufu)

Pyramids of Giza

The Pyramid of Pharaoh Cheops was built near the city of Giza, currently a suburb of Cairo. When the pyramid of Cheops was built, it is currently impossible to say for sure, and research gives a strong scatter. In Egypt, for example, the date of the beginning of the construction of this pyramid is officially celebrated - August 23, 2480 BC.

Pyramid of Cheops and Sphinx

About 100,000 people were simultaneously involved in the construction of the wonder of the world pyramid of Cheops. During the first ten years of work, a road was built, along which huge stone blocks were delivered to the river and underground structures of the pyramid. Work on the construction of the monument itself continued for about 20 years.

The size of the pyramid of Cheops at Giza is amazing. The height of the pyramid of Cheops initially reached 147 meters. Over time, due to falling asleep with sand and the loss of lining, it decreased to 137 meters. But even this figure allowed her to remain the tallest human structure in the world for a long time. The pyramid has a square base with a side of 147 meters. The construction of this giant is estimated to have required 2,300,000 limestone blocks weighing an average of 2.5 tons.

How were the pyramids built in Egypt?

The technology of building the pyramids is controversial in our time. Versions vary from the invention of concrete in ancient Egypt to the construction of pyramids by aliens. But still it is believed that the pyramids were built by man solely by his strength. So for the extraction of stone blocks, first a shape was outlined in the rock, grooves were hollowed out and a dry tree was inserted into them. Later, the tree was doused with water, it expanded, a crack formed in the rock, and the block was separated. Then it was processed to the desired shape with tools and sent along the river to the construction site.

To lift the blocks up, the Egyptians used gentle embankments, along which these megaliths were dragged on wooden sledges. But even with such a backward technology by our standards, the quality of work is surprising - the blocks fit snugly against each other with minimal mismatches.

You can talk for a long time about the pyramids shrouded in myths and legends, their labyrinths and traps, mummies and treasures, but let's leave it to the Egyptologists. For us, the pyramid of Cheops is one of the greatest structures of mankind throughout its existence and, of course, the only First Wonder of the World that has survived from the depths of centuries.

Schematic of the pyramid of Cheops

Video about the pyramids of Egypt

Video about the pyramid of Cheops

Everyone knows how many interesting, sometimes amazing scientific discoveries were made by scientists on ancient Egyptian land. A lot of wonderful finds were given by her tombs and temples. But the greatest miracle of Egypt, which amazed people in ancient times, were the pyramids - these amazing artificial mountains - the tombs of the ancient Egyptian kings.

Huge tombs and pyramids were built, requiring incredible prices and containing priceless treasures, and elaborately embalmed mummies. The splendor of Ancient Egypt lasted over 3 thousand years.

The pyramids were impressive tetrahedral tombs built for the pharaohs of the Old Kingdom. All the faces that formed a semblance of a triangle converged at the top, forming a pointed apex.

Scientists note that during the existence of the Ancient Egyptian kingdom, more than 80 pyramids were built, but only a small part has come down to us. There are three surviving pyramids - these are the pyramids of Cheops, Khafre and Mykerin (they also have Egyptian names - Khufu, Khafre and Menkaur). Only the first of this list formally belongs to the legendary seven wonders of the world. However, they are all mysterious and majestic.

The first Egyptian pyramid was built in the desert of Saqqara around 2650 BC. The most imposing pyramids built at Giza over 100 years later had flat sides. The top of each pyramid was probably covered with gold. Inside the pyramids were burial chambers and secret galleries. [Appendix 2] No one really knows why the Egyptians built these pyramid-shaped tombs, but it is possible that they saw them as a stairway to heaven, helping the pharaoh to gain eternal life. Pharaohs were called kings in ancient Egypt. But this is not the only version of the reasons for the construction of the Egyptian pyramids.

On March 22, 1993, news agencies around the world broadcast sensational news - an unknown German robotic engineer Rudolf Gantenbrink made an outstanding discovery. A remote-controlled robot launched by him explored the Cheops pyramid from the inside. Here is the discovery they made. It turned out that the pyramids have their own reflection in the sky, but rather they themselves are a reflection of the constellation Orion. The pyramids of Giza are the belt of Orion. Thus, according to R. Gantenbrink, the theory of "star correspondence" was confirmed. Thanks to the reference to the stars, high accuracy was achieved in the construction of the pyramids. Why is the construction of the pyramids focused specifically on the constellation of Orion? The Nile was the real ruler of Egypt. The flood of the river began on the day of the summer solstice, which was accompanied by the appearance of Sirius from behind the horizon. The rise of Sirius, in turn, preceded the appearance of Orion. This coincidence gave rise to ideas on which the religious cult is based. After a period of absence of these constellations, a new season of rebirth of life began. That is why Orion was associated with the great god Osiris.

Excellent astronomers lived in ancient Egypt. The Egyptians, as you know, in order to determine the exact time of crops, followed the stars very carefully, compiling star maps and tables. Therefore, the pyramids are oriented strictly along the meridian, their faces look at 4 cardinal points, the entrance is always located on the north side of the structure.

Another interesting theory is the use of the pyramids as a power plant.

You can find several confirmations of this hypothesis, based on the architecture of the pyramid of Cheops. Did it make sense for the ancient Egyptians to build such a grand structure just to honor the memory of the pharaoh? The pyramid is riddled with various shafts and channels throughout its height and extent. It has been scientifically proven that these channels are laid in accordance with the maps of the starry sky. A vertical channel runs along the axial line of the pyramid, which, perhaps, is an energy installation for communication with the Universal Mind or the spirits of ancestors, according to the beliefs of the ancient people. It is interesting that inside the pyramid there are a large number of rooms that have nothing to do with the burial rite. It has not yet been proven whether, in fact, Pharaoh Khufu (Cheops) was buried in the burial chamber of the Great Pyramid or still elsewhere.

The mysteries of the pyramids of Ancient Egypt with each new discovery leave more and more questions than answers. The pyramid of Cheops was built on the basis of an older pyramid, the construction time of which is presumably 14 thousand years BC. Its size is so large that it occupies about half the volume of the Great Pyramid. When arranging and painting the interior, special lamps, possibly electric ones, were used. They were discovered during excavations and still gave off a faint light, despite the thousands of years since they were buried.

There is a hypothesis that the Egyptians received electricity using power plants such as the Great Gallery in the pyramid of Cheops. On the faces of the pyramid, scientists have found various images made with the help of grooves. Drawings, if desired, can be seen in reflected light. On the south side of the pyramid, most likely, a portrait of the ancient Egyptian god Thoth, one of the most significant gods in Egyptian mythology, is depicted. Riddles in stone, the secrets of the pyramids of Ancient Egypt will excite the imagination of mankind for a long time, getting their response in books and films. One can only hope that the technologies of the twenty-first century will still be able to open to people the knowledge that was buried under the thickness of sand and time.

Back in the 10th century, the historian Masudi argued that the Egyptian pyramids of Giza are not only the repository of all the knowledge of the ancient Egyptians on astronomy, art and religion, but also contain "historical and prophetic predictions." In 1865, Robert Menzies suggested that if we take the sacred inch of the Egyptians as a basis and measure the length of the inner chambers of the Egyptian pyramid, then we will find the chronological dates of the most important events of the past and future. Based on the discoveries made by Mr. Varil in 1948-49, symbolist Egyptologists believe that the architecture of most of the temples of ancient Egypt contains a number of symbols of a philosophical, historical, and especially religious nature. In their opinion, the location of the foundations of the colonnades and even the superstructures of the superficial structures of these monuments indicate esoteric knowledge hidden from the layman. In turn, the famous astronomer, director of the Bourges Observatory, Abbot Moret, devoted his life to unraveling the mysteries that the study of ancient Egyptian temples and the pyramid of Cheops in Giza brings to scientists.

The measurements of the Egyptian pyramid of Cheops obtained by engineer Davidson were amazing. The diagonal of the Egyptian pyramid of Cheops gives its absolutely exact direction along the meridian, and the accuracy of this direction to the theoretical north pole reaches 4 minutes 30 seconds: this is more accurate than the Paris Observatory. In addition, this meridian, passing through the Egyptian pyramid of Cheops, divides the surface of the sea and land into two equal parts, counting America and the Pacific Ocean. Moreover: the latitude passing through the center of the pyramid of Cheops also divides the entire globe into two equal parts, according to the amount of land and water. Thus, for 2500 years BC. The Egyptians knew the exact ratio of the surface of all the continents and it was not by chance that they chose the mouth of the Nile for the construction of the Egyptian pyramids of Giza. When measuring the Cheops pyramid itself, it turned out that the perimeter of the pyramid of Giza, divided by double the height, gives the exact number "Pi", with an accuracy of one hundred thousandth. Interestingly, the sacred measure of the length of Egypt, i.e. the pyramidal inch (coincidentally equal to modern English) is one billionth of the Earth's orbit passed by it in 24 hours. Another linear measure of the pyramid is a cubit, equal to 25 inches, or 635.66 millimeters - this is one ten-millionth of the Earth's polar radius. The sum of the two diagonals of the Egyptian pyramid, expressed in inches, gives the number of years during which the north pole of our earth makes one complete revolution. The volume of the pyramid, multiplied by the specific gravity of the stone from which it is made, gives the theoretical weight of the globe. The same measure is found again in the chambers of the king when measuring the "sarcophagus". We find its volume in relation to the volume of the globe. This volume, so to speak, the standard of weight, coincides exactly with the weight of one English pound (453.59 g). The archaic units of English measures correspond exactly to the "sacred" units of Ancient Egypt!

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Pyramids of Ancient Egypt: secrets, riddles, structure, architecture and internal structure of the pyramids of Ancient Egypt

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Pyramid of Djoser

Deciding on this trip is definitely worth it, if only out of curiosity. After all, the pyramid of Djoser is recognized as the oldest surviving Egyptian pyramid. Yes, yes, this is the first pyramid in Egypt, and it was built in honor of the ruler Djoser by the architect and close associate of the pharaoh Imhotep.

The pyramids of Egypt are a unique architectural monument that has remained for centuries thanks to the mysterious builders who managed to create structures so strong that no natural disasters and destructive wars could completely destroy these ancient Egyptian necropolises. The riddle of the pyramids has not yet been solved: it is impossible to speak with confidence either about the method of their construction, or about who acted as the main labor force. Now in Egypt there are about 118 pyramids, the largest of which were built during the reign of the III and IV dynasties of the pharaohs, that is, during the period of the so-called Old Kingdom. There are two types of pyramids: stepped and regular. The structures of the first type are considered the oldest. For example, the pyramid of Pharaoh Djoser, dating back to 2650 BC. e.

Necropolis in Greek means "city of the dead" and is a cemetery, usually located on the outskirts of the city. Egyptian pyramids - one of the varieties of this kind of burial - served as monumental tombs for the pharaohs.

What do we know about the pyramids of Egypt?

For the first time, they learned about the pyramids thanks to the ancient Greek historian Herodotus, who lived in the 5th century BC. Traveling in Egypt, he was struck by the famous pyramids of Giza and immediately ranked one of them, dedicated to Cheops, among the seven wonders of the world. Moreover, it was Herodotus who created the legend about how these structures were built. As soon as the pyramids became the object of research by scientists, and this happened only two hundred years ago, this legend immediately became a historical truth, the reliability of which was refuted not so long ago.

How were the ancient pyramids built?

Until our time, safe and sound, not so much has come down as we would like. Numerous vandals who plundered the pyramids for the sake of treasures hidden inside, and local residents who broke out stone blocks for the construction of palaces and mosques, destroyed part of the external and internal appearance. So, the Pink or Northern Pyramid from Dahshur (26 km south of Cairo) got its name because of the color of the stone, turning pink in the rays of the setting Sun. However, she wasn't always like this. Previously, the structure was covered with white limestone, which was completely used to build houses in Cairo.

For a long time it was believed that people who violate the peace of the pharaohs, the ancient gods doom to death. This was confirmed by the legend of the curse of Pharaoh Tutankhamun, according to which everyone who participated in the opening of the grave had to die within a few years. And indeed, by 1929 (the tomb was opened in 1922), 22 people, one way or another involved in the autopsy, died. Whether the reason was the magic of Ancient Egypt or the poison laid in the sarcophagus during burial, it remains to be seen.

It is believed that the famous Great Sphinx, lying near the pyramids of Giza, is the guardian of the peace of the buried pharaohs.

Architecture and internal structure of the pyramids

Pyramids were only part of the ritual-burial complex. Next to each of them were two temples, one side by side, and the other much lower, so that its foot was washed by the waters of the Nile. Pyramids and temples were connected by alleys. An analogue of an alley of a similar plan can be seen in Luxor. The famous Luxor and Karnak temples were united by an alley of sphinxes that has partially survived to our time. The pyramids of Giza have practically not preserved their temples and alleys: only the lower temple of Khafre, the pharaoh of the IV dynasty, has long been considered the temple of the Great Sphinx.

The internal structure of the pyramids implied the obligatory presence of a chamber where the sarcophagus with a mummy was located, and cut passages to this chamber. Sometimes religious texts were placed there. Thus, the interior of the pyramids in Saqqara, an Egyptian village 30 km from Cairo, contained the oldest works of funeral literature that have come down to us.

It is believed that the famous Great Sphinx, lying near the pyramids of Giza, is the guardian of the peace of the buried pharaohs. The ancient Egyptian name for this first monumental sculpture in the world has not survived to our time. Only the Greek version of the designation remained in history. Medieval Arabs called the Sphinx "the father of horror."

Modern Egyptologists suggest that the construction of the pyramids was carried out in several stages. Moreover, sometimes the size of the tomb in the process of creation increased several times in comparison with the original project. Pharaohs built their tomb for many years. Only earthworks and leveling the site for the future construction required at least ten. Pharaoh Cheops took twenty years to build the largest pyramid to date. The workers who built the tombs were not at all slaves tortured to death. Moreover, archaeological excavations have shown that they were kept in fairly decent conditions, treated and fed normally. However, it is still not known exactly how the huge stone blocks got to the very top. It is only obvious that the construction technique has changed over time, and later buildings were built differently than the first ones.

At the end of the 20th century, architects established that the pyramids were perfect structures, with mathematically correct proportions.

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