The pyramids of Egypt are one of the greatest and most fascinating mysteries of the world, since these structures are the testimony of the ingenuity and determination of the civilizations that built them in centuries now decidedly distant from us. It is precisely their construction that causes amazement even today, given that at one time there were certainly not present the tools and machinery that we have today at our disposal to build something so imposing.
The Pyramids of Egypt: From Construction Techniques to Their Meaning
The construction of the pyramids had beginning during the Old Kingdomcirca 2686-2181 BC, a period of extreme prosperity and stability for Egypt and it seems that the Pyramid of Djoser at Saqqara is considered the progenitor of all the others: designed by the architect Imhotepwas built around 2670 BC and is composed of six different superimposed mastabas.
Among the most famous are the Pyramids of Gizabuilt for the pharaohs Khufu (Cheops), Khafre (Chephren) and Menkaure (Mycerinus) and which literally represent the pinnacle of pyramid engineering. The first of these is also considered one of the 7 wonders of the ancient worldwhich originally reached 146.6 meters in height and is composed of approximately 2.3 million stone blocks. The most interesting aspect is that each of these blocks average weight 2.5 tons and consequently one wonders how men without the tools we have at our disposal today managed to achieve such a work.
In fact, even today the techniques that were used to build the pyramids remain unknown and much debated, despite the fact that several researches have been carried out on the subject. According to one of the most accredited theories, it is thought that they used earth and brick ramps so that workers could drag blocks to the construction site. Another theory, however, was that counterweights and levers had been used.
As for instead the function in themselves pyramids, these were built as tombs for the pharaohs and their consorts, but their meaning does not stop there: in fact, they are also a ladder to heaven, a way to help the soul of the pharaohs to reach the gods more easily. Furthermore, the shape of the pyramid is a symbol of stability and durabilityelements that were fundamental in Egyptian civilization.
In addition, the following is of considerable interest:astronomical alignment of the pyramidssince for example those of Giza They are oriented with extreme precision with respect to the cardinal points, and according to several studies it is thought that these were aligned with the stars of the belt of Oriona factor that may further reflect Egyptian religious beliefs regarding the afterlife.
Finally, the pyramids They hide many mysteriessuch as numerous rooms and passages, some of which have not yet been fully explored. For example The King’s Chamber and the Queen’s Chamber are the most well-known rooms. These continuous discoveries greatly fuel speculation about the existence of other secret rooms that could contain treasures or crucial information about ancient Egypt.
And what do you think about the pyramids of Egypt? Have you ever visited them?
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