Shirley Duke Rourke Educational Media rourkeeducationalmedia com Scan for Related Titles and Teacher Resources Pyramids of Egypt
Monumental Pyramids Great Great pyramids line the dry desert on the west side of the Nile River in Egypt Pharaohs the rulers of ancient Egypt built these massive stone structures Pyramids were first built about 4,500 years ago They served as tombs for Egypt’s pharaohs The pharaohs believed the pyramids would help them have eternal life 44 A 30 foot 10 meter wall surrounded the Step Pyramid and buildings around it in Saqqara The buildings included temples chapels and courtyards
Through the years pyramids were built in different ways They were made of huge slabs of stone and brick Granite and limestone were cut from a quarry and moved down the Nile River The bricks were made from river mud straw and sand The workers pressed the mixture into wooden molds They sat in the heat until they hardened The pyramid was then covered with other types of stone Pyramid stones fitted together closely Erosion through the years wore down the stones so the blocks now appear to have separations 5
