The Aztecs, the Maya, and the ancient Egyptians belonged to three very different civilizations, yet they all shared a common symbol: the pyramids. Among these ancient civilizations, the design standards for pyramids set by the Egyptians are largely recognized by most as the classic pyramid style: a massive structure with a square base and four smooth triangular faces converging to a point. In contrast, the Aztecs and the Maya constructed their pyramids in the form of step pyramids with flat tops.
According to Donald Redford, a professor specializing in ancient Mediterranean civilizations at Pennsylvania State University, the ancient Egyptians may have chosen a distinctive shape for their pharaohs’ tombs because they worshipped the sun god. The sun god of the Egyptians was considered the creator of the pharaohs. This deity is said to have created himself from a small pyramid-shaped hill before creating other gods. The shape of the pyramid symbolizes the rays of the sun.
Professor Redford states, “The Egyptians began building pyramids shortly after 2700 BC, with the golden age of pyramids for royalty lasting about 1,000 years, until around 1700 BC.” The first pyramid was built by Pharaoh Djoser of the Third Dynasty. The architect of this initial pyramid was Imhotep, who constructed a step pyramid by stacking six rectangular tombs of previous kings. The largest and most famous pyramids are located in Giza, including the Giza pyramid of Pharaoh Khufu.
The First Pyramid: Saqqara
For centuries, many theories have been proposed about the process of building the pyramids. Some suggest that the pyramids were certainly constructed by extraterrestrial beings, while others believe that the Egyptians possessed a secret technique that has been lost over generations.
According to Professor Redford, although the process of building the pyramids is quite complex, it is not as grandiose as most of us think. About 20,000 to 30,000 workers were mobilized to construct the Giza pyramid in less than 23 years. In comparison, it took nearly 200 years to complete the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris.
Additionally, Professor Redford notes that pharaohs began constructing their pyramids as soon as they ascended to the throne. First, a pyramid construction committee had to be formed, which included a foreman, a chief engineer, and an architect. Pyramids were typically located on the west bank of the Nile River, with the belief that the souls of the pharaohs would merge with the sunlight as the sun set before continuing their eternal journey with the sun. Professor Redford adds that two key factors determined the location of the pyramids: they had to face the western horizon where the sun sets and be near the ancient Egyptian capital of Memphis.
The core of the pyramids was often built from locally sourced limestone. Higher quality limestone was used for the outer layer of the pyramid, giving it a shimmering white appearance visible from miles away. The stones placed at the top were typically granite, basalt, or any other hard stone that could be gilded with gold, silver, or electrum – an alloy of gold and silver. These stones had to reflect sunlight well.
Professor Redford clarifies that the idea of slaves being forced to participate in the construction of the pyramids is a misconception. “The concept of slavery in ancient Egyptian civilization is a very complex issue, as the legal aspects of servitude and the system of slave ownership are also intricate.” Poor farmers who worked on the pyramids were exempt from taxes, and they were provided with food, shelter, and clothing at the construction sites.
The Pyramids at Giza
The methods used by the ancient Egyptians for cutting and transporting stones are still under study. Scholars have found evidence that the ancient Egyptians used copper chisels to quarry sandstone and limestone. For harder stones like granite or diorite, stronger tools were required. Dolerite – a very hard black volcanic rock – was used by the Aswan workers to extract granite.
During excavations, large dolerite pounders were used to break off pieces from the granite blocks. According to Redford, around 60 to 70 men were tasked with breaking the stone. At the base, they placed wooden wedges into the cut seams and poured water into these seams. The wooden wedges would expand, splitting the stone, which would then slide down to a waiting boat.
A group of men or a herd of oxen would then pull the stones along a lubricated slide. Professor Redford describes an image from a tomb dating back to the 19th century BC in central Egypt, depicting
Once the stones reached the construction site, small ramps were built to elevate them onto the pyramid. Mud bricks were used to create these ramps, which were then covered with mortar to harden the surface. Redford notes: “If they continuously raised the ramps incrementally while pulling the stones up, they could position the stones quite easily.” He also mentioned that at least one such ramp still exists today.
In addressing the skepticism about how such heavy stones could be transported without machinery, Professor Redford stated: “I often show skeptics a photograph of 20 of my workers at an archaeological site pulling a two-and-a-half-ton granite block. I know this is entirely possible because I participated in moving the stones myself.”
