The Evolution of Egyptian Pyramid Construction

Mastaba

Mastaba “House of eternity” Traced back to Pharaoh Aha (2686 BCE) Designed as protection for the mummy Tombs carved into the bedrock and covered with mud bricks with enclosures on the sides Early mastabas not good as sand would blow away and bodies were eaten by jackals

Djoser’s Step Pyramid at Saqqara

Djoser’s Step Pyramid at Saqqara 2650 BCE Pharaoh Djoser was 2nd Old Kingdom Imhotep was his brilliant Vizier/Architect First major stone building (limestone) Symbolic meaning: stone immortalizes Djoser, preserving him from slow erosion of time Layers of mastabas placed on top of each other 6 steps (layers) rise to height of 60 metres

Snefru’s Step Pyramid at Meidum

Snefru’s Step Pyramid at Meidum 2613-2589 BCE Snefru is Khufu’s father First above ground burial chamber Ceiling bears the weight of the pyramid Interior chambers never finished But innovation in corbelled ceiling First attempt at a true pyramid failed as smooth facing stones slipped off the sides of the seven layers (and were later removed as late as the 19th century)

Snefru’s Bent Pyramid at Dashur

Snefru’s Bent Pyramid at Dashur First attempt at the classic shape Built on gravel and not solid bedrock Inside it is very dangerous because burial chamber is held together with huge cedar beams Much larger casing stones used Casing blocks inclined inward At nearly 50% complete, the internal chambers and the corners started to crack Unprecedented two burial chambers, each with a separate entrance

Snefru’s Red Pyramid

Snefru’s Red Pyramid First true pyramid 3rd time’s a charm for Snefru! Built on a smaller scale and at a 43 degree angle to reduce the time of construction Mortuary chapel was now moved to eastern side from traditional northern side

Great Pyramid of Khufu

Great Pyramid of Khufu Designed by Hemuinu, Khufu’s cousin Built for 4th Dynasty Pharaoh Khufu Completed around 2560 BCE Base built on cardinal points of a compass

Pyramid of Khafra

Pyramid of Khafra Khafra is the son of Khufu (2558-2532 BCE) Second largest of the pyramids Illusion of being the largest due to higher elevation of land (10 metres higher) Made from limestone Steeper angle

Pyramid of Menkaure

Pyramid of Menkaure Succeeded Khafra as Phraraoh (c. 2620 BC–2480 BCE) Constructed of limestone and granite There are three subsidiary pyramids associated with Menkaure's pyramid, possibly for his Queens