The Egyptian civilization began in the fertile Nile River Valley. Ancient Egypt The Egyptian civilization began in the fertile Nile River Valley.

Egypt’s Old Kingdom Pharaohs (rulers) established a stable, central government Tombs were built to “shelter” the powerful pharaohs in the afterlife When a pharaoh died, they were mummified and placed in a massive tomb Tombs were all shapes and sizes, some took the shape of a pyramid

Today, the Sphinx and the Pyramids of Egypt symbolize the magnificence of ancient Egypt

There are actually three large pyramids behind the Sphinx…

The Great Pyramid Earth’s Largest Built by: Pharaoh Khufu Constructed: Over a 20-year period Completed: Around 2560 BC Height: 481 feet Fact: Tallest man-made structure in the world for over 3,800 years Designated one of the “Seven Wonders of the World”

Three chambers of the Great Pyramid: Chamber #1: Underground, carved into bedrock Chamber #2: “Queen's chamber”, aboveground Note: This chamber was NOT intended for one of the king’s wives, but held a sacred statue of Khufu himself Chamber #3: “King's chamber”, which held a red granite sarcophagus (stone coffin) Only pyramid in Egypt known to contain both ascending and descending passages. (You can walk upstairs and downstairs)

Pyramid of Khafre Home of the Sphinx Built by: Pharaoh Khafre Completed: Around 2520 BC Height: 471 feet Although smaller than his father Khufu’s “Great Pyramid”, it was set on higher ground to appear taller

The chambers of Khafre’s pyramid The burial chamber had a small pit cut in the floor, designed to hold the first canopic chest in a pyramid. Canopic chests held jars carved in the shapes of protective spirits. These jars held the preserved liver, lungs, stomach, and intestines of the deceased. Note: The brain would have been discarded, and the heart left in the body.

Pyramid of Menkaure’s Last, and smallest, of the Great Pyramids Not enough room left on the Giza Plateau? Were building costs too high? For whatever reason…the last of the three Great Pyramids was considerably smaller Built by: Pharaoh Khufu Completed: Around 2490 BC Height: 213 feet Menkaure died unexpectedly, and work on his pyramid complex was abandoned. Menkaure's heir likely completed construction