Egyptian Pyramids

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Egyptian Pyramids

• The Pyramids at Giza

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Why were Pyramids built?

• Built as tombs for kings and pharaohs
• Egyptians buried the king in the pyramid
• believed his soul would ascend up to the heavens
• The triangle shape represents the suns rays

Kings chamber in the heart of the Great Pyramid
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How were the pyramids built?

• They were built by paid laborers, NOT slaves
• Used a sloping walkway constructed around the
  pyramid
• Hauled stones on sledges with rollers up the
  ramps
• Took 20-40 men to pull a stone
• Stones weighed from 2 to 13 tons

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The Pyramids at Giza

• The greatest achievement of Egyptian pyramid
  builders
• Constructed around the year 2560 BC
• Consists of three pyramids and the sphinx
• Built near the ancient capital city of Memphis
• For kings Khufu, Khafre and Menkaure
•   

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One of the 7 Wonders of the World

• The Great Pyramid
• The largest pyramid ever built in Egypt
• Built as a tomb for Pharaoh Khufu
• 2.3 million stone blocks
• Completed in 23 years

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The End