Pyramids

This type of pyramid led in a final phase of evolution to the classic smooth-sided pyramids of the Fourth Dynasty (ca. 2500 BC); The most famous and best preserved are the Pyramids of Cheops, Kefren and Micerino, built on the Giza Plateau near present-day Cairo. Other pharaohs of the IV Dynasty began building their pyramids, such as Djedefra (Abu - Roash) and Nebkara (Zawyet el-Aryam), but they remained unfinished. The last pharaoh of the dynasty, Shepseskaf, chose a monument in the form of a large stone sarcophagus, the Mastaba of Shepseskaf at Saqqara. The Pyramid of Djedefra (Abu-Roash) grew 7 meters taller than that of Cheops when it was built taking advantage of a natural elevation, but was dismantled during Roman times when it was converted into a quarry to mine its stones for use other constructions.

During the 5th dynasty, most of their kings built their pyramid complexes at Saqqara and Abusir, but they were smaller and much inferior in engineering. They continued to choose them in Saqqara: Teti, Pepy I, Merenra I and Pepy II, during the VI. Dynasty.

In the so-called First Intermediate Period of Egypt, some rulers continued the tradition, such as Neferkara Neby, Jui, Ity or Merykara, but little remains.

It was in the Middle Kingdom (XII Dynasty, c. 1760 BC) when the last great pyramids were built, but with adobe cores in the stone coating, which is currently crumbling.

The pharaohs of the New Kingdom preferred to build large mortuary temples and hypogea in the Theban area.

Twenty-fifth dynasty dignitaries of Nubian origin (ca. 747 BC) erected smaller and more stylized stone pyramids at Napata and Meroe (in their native Kush) for themselves and their families.

The pyramid was the center of each sovereign's great burial complex, erected at the end of a ritual road connecting it to a funerary temple where daily offerings and ceremonies were made for the deceased, and surrounded by the mastabas where members of his family were buried , his family and court, and several smaller pyramids.

Check our website http://digihworld.com