Pyramids

A pyramid is a structure whose outer surfaces are triangular and converge to a single point at the top, making the shape roughly a pyramid in the geometric sense. The base of a pyramid can be trilateral, quadrilateral, or any polygon shape, meaning that a pyramid has at least three outer triangular surfaces (at least four faces including the base). The square pyramid, with square base and four triangular outer surfaces, is a common version.

A pyramid's design, with the majority of the weight closer to the ground, and with the pyramidion on top means that less material higher up on the pyramid will be pushing down from above. This distribution of weight allowed early civilizations to create stable monumental structures. More recently, it was shown that the common shape of the pyramids of antiquity, from Egypt to Central America, represents the dry-stone construction that requires minimum human work.

Pyramids have been built by civilizations in many parts of the world. For thousands of years, the largest structures on Earth were pyramids—first the Red Pyramid in the Dashur Necropolis and then the Great Pyramid of Khufu, both of Egypt, the latter is the only one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World still remaining. Khufu's Pyramid is built mainly of limestone (with large red granite blocks used in some interior chambers), and is considered an architectural masterpiece. It contains over 2,000,000 blocks ranging in weight from 2.5 tonnes (5,500 lb) to 15 tonnes (33,000 lb) and is built on a square base with sides measuring about 230 m (755 ft), covering 13 acres. Its four sides face the four cardinal points precisely and it has an angle of 52 degrees. The original height of the Pyramid was 146.5 m (488 ft), but today it is only 137 m (455 ft) high, the 9 m (33 ft) that is missing is due to the theft of the fine quality white Tura limestone covering, or casing stones, for construction in Cairo. It is still the tallest pyramid. The largest pyramid by volume is the Great Pyramid of Cholula, in the Mexican state of Puebla.

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    Pyramid of Neferirkare

    The Pyramid of Neferirkare (also known as The Ba of Neferirkare) is the second pyramid to be built at the necropolis site of Abusir, south of the Giza plateau, in Egypt. The pyramid of Neferirkare is the tallest of all pyramids constructed in Ancient Egypt during its Fifth Dynasty.

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    Pyramid of Pepi I

    Pyramid of Pepi I. The pyramid was 150 cubits per side at the base and 100 cubits high (78.75m sq x 52.5m high) The core was made of small, locally quarried stone and debris fill which was clad in layer of white limestone.

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    Pyramid of Pepi II

    Pepi II's pyramid in South Saqqara was the last to be built in the best traditions of the Old Kingdom. It was named "Pepi's life is enduring", which indeed it was. He reign we believe lasted 94 years, longer than any other Ancient Egyptian pharaoh.

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    Pyramid of Qakare Ibi

    Ibi's pyramid is not oriented to any cardinal point, being rather on a northwest–southeast axis. The edifice would have been around 31.5 m (103 ft) large and 21 m (69 ft) high with a slope of 53°7′ at the time of its construction.

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    Pyramid of Queen Ipout

    Pyramid of Queen Ipout. A companion site of the Teti I pyramid - badly damaged and cratered by looters' digging.

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    Pyramid of Queen Neferhetepes

    Pyramid of Queen Neferhetepes. The queen's pyramid originally stood 16.8 metres (55 ft) high with a slope of 52°, similar to that of Userkaf's, with a base 26.25 metres (86.1 ft) long.

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    Pyramid of Sahure

    The pyramid of Sahure reached 47 m (154 ft) at the time of its construction, much smaller than the pyramids of the preceding 4th Dynasty. Its inner core is made of roughly hewn stones organized in steps and held together in many sections with a thick mortar of mud.

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    Pyramid of Senusret III

    The Pyramid of Senusret III (Lepsius XLVII) is an ancient Egyptian pyramid located at Dahshur and built for pharaoh Senusret III of the 12th Dynasty (19th century BCE).

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    Pyramid of Teti I

    The Pyramid of Teti is a smooth-sided pyramid situated in the pyramid field at Saqqara in Egypt. It is historically the second known pyramid containing pyramid texts. Excavations have revealed a satellite pyramid, two pyramids of queens accompanied by cult structures, and a funerary temple.

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    Pyramid of Unas

    The Pyramid Complex of Unas is located in the pyramid field at Saqqara, near Cairo in Egypt. It was built for pharaoh Unas, the ninth and final king of the Fifth Dynasty in the mid 24th century BC.

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    Pyramid of Userkaf

    The Pyramid complex of Userkaf was built c. 2490 BC for the pharaoh Userkaf (reign 2494–2487 BC), founder of the 5th dynasty of Egypt (c. 2494–2345 BC). It is located in the pyramid field at Saqqara, on the north-east of the Step pyramid of Djoser (reigned ca. 2670 BC).

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    Pyramids and Mastabas Complexes

    Pyramid complexes of Amenemhet I and Sesotris I (both MK, 12th Danasty) and mastabas of Imhotep, Senuseretanch, Sehetepobreanch, all not too well preserved.

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    Pyramids of Queen's near Great Pyramid of Giza

    Pyramids of Queen's near Great Pyramid of Giza. There are three satellite pyramids on the north side of the the Great Pyramid of Giza, which are often referred to as the Queen's Pyramids

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    Red Pyramid

    The Red Pyramid, also called the North Pyramid, is the largest of the three major pyramids located at the Dahshur necropolis. Named for the rusty reddish hue of its red limestone stones, it is also the third largest Egyptian pyramid, after those of Khufu and Khafra at Giza.

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    Sekhemkhet´s Pyramid Complex

    Sekhemkhet´s Pyramid Complex. King Sekhemkhet was buried beneath his step pyramid at Saqqara, diagonally across from his predecessor´s pyramid, the necropolis of King Djoser. This tomb is known today as Sekhemkhet´s pyramid, Djeserteti´s pyramid and as Buried pyramid.

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    Small pyramid near Bent Pyramid

    A subsidiary pyramid of the nearby Bent Pyramid. After many years of no tourist access dur to the nearby military base, some visitors are being permitted.

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    Small Pyramid of Teti I

    The last element essential to the funerary cult, the satellite-pyramid encircled in its own peribolos, is located southeast of the royal pyramid and therefore was accessible only through a corridor of stores and halls of worship.

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    Small Subsidiary Pyramid, Complex of Pyramid of Khendjer

    At the north eastern corner of Khendjer's pyramid complex is a small subsidiary pyramid, which is thought to have been prepared for the burials of two of Khendjer's queens. G. Jequier also found shaft tombs nearby, which may have been prepared for other royal family members.