Why Do Ancient People Build Huge Pyramids?

1825 Words4 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: The egyptian religion and architecture

The architectural style most firmly associated with Egypt is the Pyramid, consisting of a square base and four sloping triangular faces with angled sides, first built in the Fourth Dynasty (2575-2450 BCE). However, the Great Pyramids of Giza has been the most famous worldwide; even though they were not the first of its kind to be built. These tomb pyramids have been the subject of strong winds of speculation and serious research for centuries. Built by three successive Kings (King Khufu, Khafre and Menakaure), every spectator is awed by the gigantism of these magnificent monuments. The largest pyramid is incorporated of nearly 2.3 million cut stone blocks, each block weighing averagely 2.5 tons. With an overwhelming approximate height of 147 …show more content…

Opposing arguers still asks “why would the ancient Egyptians or any ancient people build such huge mausoleums just to bury their kings?” These people believes that the only “sensible” theory that explains all the missing answers is that supernatural powers such as aliens must have been involved. However it’s vital to understand the ancient Egyptians and their culture at this point, in order to answer these questions. Ancient Egyptians believed that everything good that happened to them, from the annual flooding of the Nile to the safety from invasions by foreigners to the regular change of season as well as the orderly protection from the aggressive forces in the universe was affirmatively due to the King’s actions (Shaw, 2000, p.92). If this was the priority that they gave for their Kings, why wouldn’t they build gigantic monuments as their final resting grounds? When one understands the culture of the Egyptian civilization it’s not so hard to imagine why they created such masterpieces. To me, the probable chances are that if aliens ever existed, it never visited Earth, and if it ever visited Earth, it makes every less sense why they would build these monuments on Earth and just vanish. Clearly, the pyramids were built by the Egyptians as symbolic locations for the deceased king’s divine journey to the After-life. The ancient names that were given to the pyramids like “Khufu’s Horizon, “Great is Khafre” and “Menakaure is divine” that were found on ancient inscriptions proves that the only reason these pyramids were built were to serve as final tributes to the Kings, and not some Alien Project (Maitland,

Show More
Related

  • How Are Pyramids Similar To The Structure Of Modern Day Buildings?

    548 Words  | 2 Pages

    A pyramid is an Egyptian structure and are as old as 40,000 years old. A pyramids base can either be triangular or square this affects how many sides the pyramid has. These structures were usually made out of huge limestone blocks. The Egyptian pyramids were built using ramps which spiraled around the pyramid. The average limestone block weighed around 2.5 tons.( The great pyramids and more, 2013)

    Read More

  • Aliens Built the Pyramids

    707 Words  | 2 Pages

    Aliens built the Egyptian pyramids. Recent research supports the theory that the Pyramids were built long before humans inhabited the area now known as Egypt. It is also nearly impossible for the Egyptians to have lifted and moved the limestone brick used to build these massive structures. Only a more advanced form of life could have constructed such an enormous undertaking, while using advanced mathematics and geography that were not yet known to ancient peoples.

    Read More

  • Comparison Of The Colosseum And The Three Pyramids Of Giza

    981 Words  | 2 Pages

    No form of technology or surveillance was around thousands of years ago when the ancient Egyptians built the three pyramids of Giza , Therefore historians have had to piece together clues as to how these towering monuments were constructed. Over the past two decades, a series of new discoveries and studies allowed researchers to paint a clearer picture of those feats. The first, and largest, pyramid at Giza was built by Khufu (2551 B.C.). His pyramid, which today stands 455 feet tall, is known as the "Great Pyramid" and was considered to be a wonder of the world by ancient writers. The pyramid of Khafre ( 2520 B.C.) was only slightly smaller than Khufu's but stood on higher ground. Many scholars believe that the Sphinx monument, which lies

    Read More

  • Ancient Egyptian Religious Architecture

    1288 Words  | 3 Pages

    Thus, the art and architecture of Ancient Egypt stemmed directly from their religion. Egyptian theology, with its deified pharaohs and strange animal-headed gods, was complicated, but the most important belief was that survival after death depended upon the preservation of the body. This belief would influence the architectural design of the tomb, where the corpse was ultimately sealed (Silverman:142, 1997). Immortality was only for privileged royal and priestly beings (Stierlin:54, 1983).This implies that their tombs would be somewhat prestigious and not just and ordinary burial site. At the day of resurrection the Ka or soul would re-enter the dead body; this meant that it must be there, intact, ready for that moment. It followed logically, that 'once the corpse was embalmed or mummified, it must be preserved in an impregnable tomb.

    Read More

  • Essay On The Pyramid Of Giza

    1649 Words  | 4 Pages

    ...e an advanced form of technology such as levitation? Perhaps the Egyptians received technological assistance from extraterrestrial beings who might also provide information about the alignment of the stars. However, it seems more believable to consider that the advanced technology and knowledge originated on our planet. There very well could have been an advanced human civilization in the distant past and this civilization could have been wiped out by natural forces during the last Ice Age. Furthermore, records of the technology and astronomical knowledge of this advanced human culture could have been available to the Egyptians. Therefore, I think the most reasonable explanation provided by the evidence given, is there must have been an advanced human culture, pre-dating written history, involved in the design and technology in order to build the Great Pyramid.

    Read More

  • Nefertiti Ancient Egypt

    1923 Words  | 4 Pages

    However, there have been many theories on how the pyramids came to be including magic, being gifted from the gods and them naturally appearing there. 3) The pyramids were crucially significant to the Egyptians in relation to being tombs. This was because the Egyptians believed that it was necessary to grant the Pharaoh’s immortality after death in the afterlife. The tombs were also filled with various luxuries and magical spells that were believed to be used by the pharaoh in the underworld and afterlife.

    Read More

  • Ziggurats and Pyramids: An Analysis of Physical Structure and Cultural Functions

    670 Words  | 2 Pages

    There is one fundamental, underlying, driving force behind the creation of the ziggurats in Akkadian culture and the pyramids in the Egyptian culture. The fundamental basis for creating these monumental architectural wonders is based on religious beliefs. Ziggurats and pyramids share some commonalities in design and function, but they are ultimately designed to look and serve two separate facets for their established religious beliefs. When looking at a pyramid, it is very similar in appearance to a ziggurat, but the two structures were designed for two very distinct and different purposes. According to the text, “the important distinction: the ziggurat is a temple and the pyramid is a tomb.” (Cunningham et al. 22) These monumental and colossal wonders of ancient societies capture the intellectual curiosity and continue to drive new generations of researchers to discover new and exciting facts on their creation and fundamental purpose. The pyramids of ancient Egypt and the ziggurats of the Akkadian society have fundamental function and appearance similarities, but have very distinct, specific designs and purposes for which they were created.

    Read More

  • The Great Pyramid of The Seven Wonders of the World

    1931 Words  | 4 Pages

    Of all the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, only one still stands today: the Great Pyramid of Khufu at Giza in Egypt. Surprisingly, it is by far the oldest of the Seven Wonders. It was already more than 2,000 years old in the time of the ancient Greeks. For more than 4,000 years, the 481-foot-high pyramid was the tallest structure ever built by humans. It is about as tall as a fifty-story building. No other building reached that height until the Eiffel Tower was created in 1887 (Putnam 20). The pyramid’s square base, 756 feet long on each side, is 13 acres, or the size of seven city blocks. The five biggest cathedrals of Europe could be all fitted into the pyramid at the same time (The Pyramids). How did this awe-inspiring structure come to be? Why was it built and how, and who built it? Some writers have called the pyramids mysterious, but recent archaeologists have found many answers to these questions. When one knows how and why the pyramids were built, the Egyptians' achievement seems even more impressive. The pyramids were the tombs of ancient Egyptian kings, or pharaohs. The pharaohs wanted to make sure that after their death, they would rise to the heavens and be worshipped as gods. According to Dr. Zahi Hawass, the director of archaeology at Giza, building a pyramid was a way "to help the king become a god."

    Read More

  • The Great Mystery of the Pyramids

    1812 Words  | 4 Pages

    The Great pyramids of Egypt are undoubtedly one of the most recognized and admired landmarks in the world. Built to pay tribute to gods and pharaohs, the pyramids were of great importance to the Egyptians, and the mystery of their construction continues to amaze us today. Many theories pertaining to how the pyramids were built have been suggested, however, none are as well supported or intelligible as the heave-ho method of quarrying and cutting limestone. Joseph Davidovits’ theory disproving this, in which states the pyramids were moulded, is not plausible. Substantial physical evidence which is consistent with the Egyptologists’ portrayal of the heave-ho method has been found. The entire process of building a pyramid with this method is possible, as demonstrated by thorough experiments and analysis of the Egyptian culture. Indisputably, the Great Pyramids of Giza were constructed by quarrying limestone, and the use of ramps, sleds, and cutting tools, owing to the ingenuity and strength of highly organized Egyptian workers.

    Read More

  • Egyptian Pyramids Architecture

    1255 Words  | 3 Pages

    The Egypt pyramids were constructed for the pharaoh, as a tomb. Their belief was that the top point of the pyramid was the gate for the soul to travel to the afterlife and return to earth if chosen. These tombs were built which line up with planets and certain stars.

    Read More

  • The Importance Of Ancient Egyptian Architectural Culture

    749 Words  | 2 Pages

    Pyramid, Temple, Tomb, Sculpture each standing through time. All of then they stands out - they are all associated with religious beliefs, they all have stood for thousands of years, and they still standing now. All involve faience genius the moving of enormous stones without the use of the wheel. For the Egyptians the hardness and durability of stone symbolized permanence and eternity. Stone was, therefore, the material from which temples and tombs were built, the finest and most graters examples are the construction of the pyramid. These two factors, belong to the religious and architecture of ancient Egypt, do nothing else but prove its greatness of what we have this days. "...the Egyptians made their complex hierarchy of Gods, and their strange religion. In the service of that religion they made their architecture" (Romer: 75, 1982). These pyramids were built to protect the bodies Of Egyptian kings and other royalty but before the pyramids became the standard for burials, tombs were used for Egypt's early rulers, nobles, and other high

    Read More

  • The Characteristics Of The Ancient Egyptian Pyramids

    840 Words  | 2 Pages

    The Egyptian pyramids are ancient masonry structures with a square. base and four sloping triangular faces located in Egypt [1]. were built as tombs for the country's Pharaohs and their consorts during the Old and Middle Kingdom periods. As of 2008, 138 pyramids have been built. discovered in Egypt.

    Read More

  • Pyramids Of Egypt

    483 Words  | 1 Pages

    Of all the pyramids of Egypt, the first three are held in the highest regards. This is known as the Great Pyramid. It was built for the Pharaoh Khufu. The Great Pyramid is about 450 feet tall and covers about 13 acres. The subject of this pyramid was to honor the pharaoh and show him some respect. It took about 100,000 workers and 20 years to build the pyramid.

    Read More

  • Ancient Architecture Essay

    866 Words  | 2 Pages

    Stone was typically reserved for temples and tombs. The interior and exterior walls of these structures were covered in frescoes and hieroglyphs. The pyramids of Giza testify to the masterful engineering techniques developed by the ancient Egyptians. The largest of these, the Great Pyramid of Giza, was completed around 2500 BCE. Rulers built pyramids as a testament to their earthly power, and as a way to make their names famous long after they were dead.

    Read More

  • Egyptian Architecture Advancement Essay

    905 Words  | 2 Pages

    Of the original seven wonders of the ancient world, only this wonder remains. The Great Pyramid of Giza was built around 2500 B.C. It is about 450 feet high, making it the largest pyramid ever built. By comparison, the Step Pyramid of Djoser was almost 200 feet high. It was built by the Pharaoh Khufu, who enslaved his own people to build it. This feat is marvelous because there around 2.3 million blocks in the pyramid and each one weighs about 2.5 to 15 tons (Gupton). Khufu would have needed to recruit thousands of his people to move these humongous limestone chunks. By building this pyramid, the Ancient Egyptians showed how intelligent and advanced they were. They demonstrated growth in the knowledge of how to construct large

    Read More

More about Why Do Ancient People Build Huge Pyramids?

Open Document