User Guide

243
A Quick Guide to the History of Egypt
the dynasty, Djoser, had the first pyramid built at Saqqara. Imhotep, his
vizier who was noted for his intelligence and also served as a high priest
for the sun cult at On (Heliopolis), oversaw the construction of the pyra-
mid and acted as its architect. The pyramid, called a “Stepped Pyramid,” is
essentially six mastabas, one on top of the other, with each level smaller
than the previous level. No one is quite sure what the pyramid was
intended to portray, but some archeologists suspect that the pyramid was
intended to look like a stairway to the heavens.
Several stepped pyramids were built for other pharaohs up until
the time of Snofru. Under Snofru, the first pharaoh of the Fourth
Dynasty, the pyramid form was perfected. Snofru’s first project was to
complete his father Huni’s pyramid at Meidum. Huni’s pyramid began as
a stepped pyramid. When Snofru finished the project, he smoothed the
sides, foreshadowing the style of pyramids to come.
Snofru began at least three of his own pyramid projects. His first
one collapsed under its own weight. His second pyramid, the “Bent
Pyramid,” is still standing at Dahshur. The angle of the sides changes half-
way up, although no one is quite sure why. One theory is that the archi-
tects feared another collapse and reduced the angle. Another theory is
that Snofru died during the construction, so the angle was reduced to
speed up completion. A third theory is that the Bent Pyramid is a gigantic
obelisk, designed to represent one of the sun’s rays. Regardless, the Bent
Pyramid did feature the smooth sides that would distinguish true pyramids
from step pyramids.
Snofru’s architects
finally perfected the
true pyramid form with
the Red Pyramid. Also
located at Dahshur, the
pyramid featured the
characteristic smooth
sides and outer casing
of fine stone that sub-
242
A Quick Guide to the History of Egypt
found wealth on massive monuments.
The Old Kingdom also witnessed the rise of the solar cult. The
pyramids are in the shape of the benben, where Ra-Atum, the creator god
in the solar cult, first appeared. Later in the Old Kingdom, the solar cult
became more dominant with the construction of Sun Temples in several
cities throughout Egypt.
The Old Kingdom began with the start of the Third Dynasty, and
pyramid construction began almost immediately. The second pharaoh of
Pyramid Building
No one is quite sure how the ancient Egyptians built the pyra-
mids. The process is not depicted in any remaining artifacts. Piecing
together evidence from the pyramid sites and depictions of the construc-
tion of other types of monuments, most archeologists believe that pyra-
mid construction relied on the use of ramps made from unfired mudbrick
and wood. Exactly how the ramps were placed in relation to the pyramid
remains a mystery. Some think that the ramps were placed perpendicular
to the pyramid. As the pyramid grew in size, so too did the ramp.
Others think that a series of ramps, each at a 90 degree angle to the pre-
vious ramp, circled the pyramid. This would make each ramp shorter, but
begs the question of how massive stones were maneuvered around 90
degree turns.
Most agree on how the stones were moved from the quarries to
the pyramid sites. Wharves and docks were constructed especially for the
pyramid construction, and a ramp leading from the water’s edge led to
the pyramid site. Stones were pulled on large sledges by potentially hun-
dreds of men. To reduce friction, limestone and water or roller logs were
placed under the sledges.
Other theories suspect the use of wind power or simple machines
like levers or pulleys to help hoist the huge stones. Of course, there’s that
silly alien theory, but who really believes that?