1001 Space Earth Nature History First Civilisations Ancient Egypt Biblical Times Ancient Greece Ancient Rome Chinese, Japanese Civilisations Indian Civilisation African Civilisation The Early Americas The Rise of Islam The Middle Ages The Renaissance Civil War and Revolution The Industrial Revolution Two World Wars 20th-century Achievements Human World Science and Technology

What are the pyramids? The pyramids are enormous triangular-sided structures that were built as giant tombs for the mummified bodies of the Egyptian kings and queens. The first pyramids were built around 2630 B.C., and pyramid building continued for about 1,000 years. Thousands of Egyptian workers had to drag the huge blocks of stone to the site on sledges. The kings and queens were buried with rich treasures in tombs deep inside the pyramids, reached only by secret passages that were later sealed shut. The Great Pyramid   Previous: Back Book: 1001 Section: History Chapter: Ancient Egypt