Tombs and Pyramids

1. Tombs and Pyramids

2. -protecting the mummy and the possessions in the tomb was important • -needed safe, protected places for safe keeping from grave robbers

3. The Pyramids • -over 80 found in Egypt, most famous on Giza Plateau (3 of them) • -largest is the Pyramid of Khufu (Cheops)—The Great Pyramid—480ft

4. -pyramids built by thousands of workers during a pharaoh’s life, mostly farmers during off season • -stone transported by the Nile, pulled up to plateau by teams, ramps of earth built along the pyramid to get blocks up • -blocks weighed about 2.5 tons, 2 million used in pyramid

5. all three pyramids are nearly perfect squares at base • each side faces one of the cardinal directions • some say the sloping sides are to help pharaoh’s soul reach the heavens, astronomy played a large role as well

6. several shafts and chambers inside—some say some are still undiscovered • around the pyramids are smaller tombs, temples, boat pits, causeways to the Nile

7. The Sphinx • statue on the Giza Plateau near pyramids • body of a lion and head of a man—associated with pharaoh and sun god—probably represents Pharoah Khafra

8. carved from a single stone, has been buried by sand several times—story between paws—Dream Stele • much of the face and headdress has been destroyed from erosion, pollution, and human destruction-Napoleaon • three tunnels discovered—none lead anywhere • used to be brightly colored

9. Valley of the Kings • south of Giza, across from Luxor (Thebes) • large valley where many pharaohs and nobles were buried • after pyramid time period, hoped to hide tombs from grave robbers

10. most tombs were robbed however, except King Tut • King Tut’s tomb discovered by Howard Carter in 1922