Egyptian Pyramids

The first stepped pyramid in Egypt, in Saqqara, was completed in 2620 B.C. for the Third Dynasty Egyptian pharaoh Djoser. It had four levels and an underground burial chamber. Builders later attempted, but never finished, another six-level stepped pyramid.

The Egyptians continued to construct taller and taller pyramids and started smoothing out the jagged edges of stepped pyramids. One of the earliest attempts was the Meidum pyramid, in 2570 B.C. It had seven steps progressing to eight, but it collapsed and was abandoned.

stepped pyramid­
Bethany Carlson, SXC
The stepped pyramid of Djoser. See more pictures of Egyptian pyramids.

Pyramid designers learned that if pyramids were going to be higher and have steeper slopes, their bases needed to be wider. At Dahshur, further upstream along the Nile from Saqqara, laborers started the construction of a pyramid for the Fourth Dynasty pharaoh Sneferu. Unfortunately, the designers chose a poor foundation, and the pyramid began to lean inward upon itself when it was about two-thirds complete. The builders reduced the angle of the upper portion to complete it and make it more stable, and it is now known as the Bent Pyramid (2565 B.C.).

Unsatisfied with the Bent Pyramid, Sneferu ordered another pyramid at Dahshur. The designers chose a better foundation and made this pyramid the same height as the Bent Pyramid, but with a wider base and a shallower angle. The Red Pyramid was completed in 2560 B.C.

Pyramid construction reached its apex with the Great Pyramid of Khufu. We'll learn all about it on the next page.

The Afterlife in Ancient Egypt
In the religion of ancient Egypt, the pharaoh was a god king. When the pharaoh died, his body was preserved and many rituals were conducted. Ancient Egyptians believed that the person had many parts:
  • The physical body ("khat")
  • A spiritual double ("ka"), which resided in the physical body, roamed from place to place and entered heaven to converse with the gods
  • The soul ("ba"), which resided within the ka; it could leave the tomb and change forms into various animals
  • The spirit ("khu"), which could be imprisoned in the tomb, so exits were made to prevent this
  • Strength or power ("sekhem")
  • A shadow ("khabit") that was associated with the ba
  • A name ("ren")

The Egyptians believed that the deceased required food and supplies in the afterlife, so tombs had to be furnished, stocked and replenished as necessary.