The ancient Egyptians built pyramids as tombs for pharaohs—their kings and queens—because they believed pharaohs would become gods in the afterlife. The pyramids protected the pharaoh’s body and treasures so their soul could live forever.
Planning the pyramid
Pharaohs started planning their pyramids early. Sometimes they started right after they became ruler.
Architects used tools like plumb bobs, measuring ropes, and the stars to design the pyramid with precise angles.
Most pyramids were built on the west side of the Nile, which symbolized the land of the dead.
Gathering the stones
Most pyramids were made from limestone, which was quarried (cut out) nearby.
Harder stone, like granite, came from quarries farther away, like in Aswan. Aswan is over 400 miles (nearly 700 km) south of Cairo.
Blocks could weigh 2 to 15 tons. A school bus weighs 15 tons.
Transporting the blocks
Stones were moved by boats along the Nile River, especially during the flood season when water levels were high.
On land, they used sleds and logs as rollers.
A trick: they poured water on the sand in front of the sled to reduce friction. Archeologists only recently discovered this from their research.
Building the pyramid
Workers built huge ramps to pull stones up as the pyramid rose.
Ramps might have been straight, zigzagging, or spiraling around the pyramid.
Thousands of skilled workers and laborers worked in teams. They were paid workers with food, shelter, and medical care.
Laying the blocks
Each stone had to be carefully placed and leveled. Workers used copper tools and levers to move them into position.
The pyramid’s shape was created by stacking layers of stone, each one slightly smaller than the last.
Finishing touches
The outer surface was once covered in smooth, white limestone casing stones, which reflected sunlight and made the pyramid shine.
The top had a special piece called a capstone, possibly covered in gold or electrum (a shiny mix of gold and silver).
Inside the pyramid
Inside, narrow passages led to one or more chambers.
The pharaoh’s sarcophagus (coffin) was placed in the main burial chamber.
Walls were decorated with hieroglyphs and spells from the Book of the Dead to help the pharaoh reach the afterlife.
Fun facts about the pyramids
They're really, really old
The Great Pyramid of Giza is over 4,500 years old. It was built around 2560 BCE for Pharaoh Khufu.
The only one of the “Seven Wonders” still standing
The Great Pyramid is the only surviving wonder of the original Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
They were mathematical marvels
The sides of the Great Pyramid are almost perfectly aligned with the cardinal directions (north, south, east, west).
Its proportions reflect pi (π) and the Golden Ratio, even though it's unclear if the Egyptians did this intentionally.
Not built by slaves
Contrary to popular myth, recent discoveries show that the pyramids were built by skilled laborers, not slaves. They were well-fed and even had access to medical care.
Millions of blocks
The Great Pyramid is made up of around 2.3 million blocks of stone, each weighing between 2.5 to 15 tons.
Limestone shine
Originally, the pyramids were covered in smooth, white Tura limestone, making them shine brightly in the sun. Most of this casing has worn away or was repurposed over time.
The Sphinx is a pyramid guardian
The nearby Great Sphinx of Giza is believed to have been built to guard the pyramid complex, possibly representing Pharaoh Khafre.
Still mysterious
We still don’t fully understand how the pyramids were constructed with such precision and scale using ancient tools.
They face true north
The Great Pyramid is aligned with true north with incredible accuracy. This is something that even modern buildings often don’t match.
Air shafts or something more?
The Great Pyramid contains mysterious air shafts that some think had religious or astronomical significance.
