The ancient Egyptians took Pyramid construction to new heights along the Nile River in North Eastern Africa 5,000 years ago, but they weren't the only civilization to built massive pyramid shaped monuments(or even to mummify their dearly departed, which other ancient cultures also practiced). Pyramids were the most structurally sound building that could be constructed out of stone-as long as a civilization has sufficient rocks to quarry and man power to move them. They came in different forms and functions, as you can can see below.
The Roster of Rocking rock Construction
Temple Of Kukulkan
- Where is it? Tinum, Mexico
- When was it built? Around A.d. 1000
- How big is it: 98 feet(30 m) tall
- Why was it built? As a temple for sacrificial rituals to a Mayan Snake God.
Pyramid of Cestius
- Where is it? Rome, Italy
- When was it built? Around 12 B.C.
- How big is it? 125 feet( 38 m) tall
- Why was it built? As a tomb for Roman Magistrate Gaius Cestius
Ziggarat of Ur
- Where is it? Ur, Iraq
- When was it built? 21st Century B.C.
- How big is it? 210 feet(64 m) tall
- Why was it built? As a shrine for Sumerian Moon God
- Where is it? Teotihuacan, Mexico
- When was it built? Around A.D. 1000
- How big is it? 234 feet (71 m) tall
- Why was it built? Unknown
Why did Ancient Egyptians built Pyramid?
These mountain size monuments were built as tombs for ancient Egypt King
called "Pharaoh". Ancient Egyptians believed their Pharaohs were living gods
who deserved towering tombs as a stepping stone to the Heavens. Burial
chambers withing the Pyramids had treasure that Pharaoh might need in the
Afterlife.
Were Pyramid built by slaves?
No, They were built by Egyptian Farmers drafted into a national labor force
called "Corvee" which handled all the heavy lifting. They were fed, clothed,
housed, and received medical care when got hurt on construction site.
Ancient graffiti hints these men took "proud" in building a house of Eternal
Life.
How did Egyptians built pyramid?
The hard way. Before the invention of pulleys and iron tools, workers relied
on strong muscles and even stronger ropes. The blocks were through the Nile
river across the kingdom. Gangs of workers loaded blocks on wooden sledges
and hauled them across the sand moistened with water to reduce friction.
Then blocks were carried on ramps at speed of 1 blocks every 2 minutes.
Why did Egyptians mummify their dead?
To the people of Egypt, death was only the beginning. Egyptian kings were
thought to become gods when the they passed away. Ordinary Egyptians
believed they would spend Eternity with their ancestors in a perfect version
of Egypt. But gaining entry in afterlife wasn't easy as tumbling of pyramid.
They believed they wouldn't have a happy afterlife without access to their
former bodies, so priest perfected the process of mummification.
Process of Mummification
Step no 1
A priest poked a special hook up to the dearly departed nose to yank(which were considered useless).
Step no 2
The liver, stomach, intestines, and lungs, were all removed, cleaned and
preserved and sealed in special canopic jars carved like the faces of gods
that will guards these organs.
Step no 3
Priests packed the body inside and out with special salt to sop up the moisture. After 40 days, it was stuffed with plants and rags so it didn't look like a deflated balloon.
Step no 4
Priests rubbed the corpse skin with resins to soften it. Layers of linen treated with oils was wrapped around "Pharaoh", giving it famous look seen in movies. Then priests activated the spells and curses to protect body from robbers.
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