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Building the Pyramids
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The biggest pyramids can still be seen at Giza, near Cairo. They are the tombs of the kings of the Old Kingdom. The biggest belonged to Khufu or Cheops, a king of the 4th Dynasty. This pyramid is more than 300 feet high and contains 2.3 million blocks of stone, weighing more than 6 million tons. The stone was brought by boats from the quarries and then dragged to the site on sledges. Thousands of people worked on the building, which took about 23 years to complete.
(A) RAISING STONE BLOCKS
One of the hardest jobs was moving the heavy stone blocks into place. The builders made huge ramps of earth and dragged the stones up the ramps with ropes.
(B) SUPERVISORS
Officials, who were probably priests, directed the gangs of workmen.
(C) SHAPING THE STONE
Each stone was carefully measured and shaped to fit into place.
(D) ACCIDENTS
Many workmen were killed or injured, crushed by the heavy stone blocks.
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Previous:
Back
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Book:
The Egyptians
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Section:
Ancient Egypt
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Chapter:
Building the Pyramids
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