The skyline of Nile Valley seems to be dominated by the mountains. But these are not natural mountains. They are man-made mountains, known as Pyramids.
What exactly was the purpose behind the construction of these pyramids, is unknown. Perhaps they were intended by the god-kings of Egypt as the everlasting sanctuaries for their dead bodies since they believed in the theory of life after death.
The question arises how did the ancient Egyptians raise such tall structures? Who built them? Is it true that the kings had some secret motive which passed away with them? There questions are abundant as the enigma of pyramids astonishes a traveller.
For more than forty centuries, the majestic pyramids have dominated the skyline of Egypt. These monuments are the only witness of the technological advances which ancient man possessed. Still we do not know why and how these structures were constructed? Although Arab scholars had earlier declared that the whole of ancient Egyptian knowledge was inscribed inside the Pyramids.
As late as the 19th century, the European scholars began to take interest in these giant tombs. The scholars came to know that these structures were in fact expressions of religious faith as Egyptians believed in life after death. About the royal tombs, they said that there may have been solar monuments, as the sun was the symbol of the falcon-headed God Ra. In fact, the shape of the great Pyramids suggests the rays of the sun falling from the sky.
As the Egyptians believed in the life after death, they perfected the art of embalming to preserve the body and the personality – for all eternity. It was called mummification which was a long and costly process in which the internal organs that to decay fast were removed and the body was dried by soaking it in a salt solution and then a carbonate of soda was sprinkled on it. After this, the body was wrapped in bandages which was then soaked in oils and finally put in painted coffn. As Egyptians believed that mummies enjoyed perfect life, and they placed all the necessary items beside the dead. Often the rich Egyptians set aside a part of their wealth to maintain a priest. The duty of the priest was to re-stock the tomb regularly.
During the golden age of the Old Kingdom – 2686-2181 B.C., the concept of pyramids reached its zenith. The first great pyramid was built during the reign of Zoser. The pyramid was called The Step Pyramid and was built by a brilliant artist Imhotep.
The greatest of the pyramids was built for King Khufu, the son and successor of Seneferu. This monument just a few miles away from Cairo is about 756 ft. square at its base, spreads to over 13 acres and the sides vary in length by 7.9 inches. It was built from about 2,300,000 blocks weighing a total of 6,500,000 tons.
The fact that such a massive structure was built by ancient people has obviously aroused debate and speculation. The Scottish astronomer Charles Piazzi Smythe and the London publisher John Taylor evolved the theory that the Great Pyramids were built under divine guidance and that it incorporated cosmic wisdom as the true value of ‘pi’ (the ratio of the circumference of a circle to diameter).
In 1954, a sealed pit was discovered. In it, an intact cedar boat, about 140 ft. long and 16 ft. wide was found. This, archaeologists argue must have been a solo boat in which the king must have taken his voyage to immortality.
The second giant stone – the pyramid of Chephren stands at a higher level than the pyramid of Cheops. Near this pyramid is built a funeral temple and the guardian Sphinx. Near them is a small pyramid of Mycerinus’. After this probably the construction of pyramids stopped. Mycerinus’ successor Shepseskaf abandoned the Giza site and had his own funeral monument which looked like a giant sarcophagus. He built this in the southern necropolis of Saqqara.
The pyramids were built during the golden period when there was no one to challenge the supremacy of Pharaohs. So, the Pharaohs built the pyramid to symbolise the distance between them and the masses. They made themselves appear like god-kings.
This Golden age lasted about five centuries and was followed by a period of uncertainty and unrest. The supreme power of the Pharaohs was challenged by the nobility.
A vital question arose that how did Egyptians build such massive structures when the knowledge of wheel was unknown? Archaeologists believe that they must have built a big ramp. Stones must have been hauled to the lip of the ramp before sliding them into place on a bed of liquid mortar. With the rise of the pyramids, the ramp must have been lengthened. After finishing the work, the ramp, archaeologists say, must have been dismantled. Remains of such ramps have been discovered at the pyramids of Maidum and Lisht, south of D-ahshur.
Contrary to the above suggestion, Herodotus, the 5th century Greek historian mentioned that the Egyptians possessed hoisting machines. These machines were made out of short planks of wood. But, till now, excavators have not found any traces of such wooden hoisting machines. Herodotus also gives the figures of the labour force. According to his account, the work force for Cheop’s pyramid was 100,000 men who were replaced every three months for a period of twenty years.
Contemporary historians have not disproved it, neither have they accepted the figures in totality.
Despite all the contradictions and speculations about the minute details of these pyramids, one cannot overlook the fact that these structures were built by the workers whose skill till today is incomparable. The Greek historian, Diodorus Siculus, contemporary of Julius Caesar wrote, “It is agreed that these works surpass anything in Egypt, not only for their great mass and high costs but also for the beauty of their construction. The workers are more worthy of praise than the kings the kings merely provided wealth, gained through inheritance or extortion.”
The Roman Author Pliny Elder A.D. (23-79) was critical of pyramids. He called it, “a foolish ostentation of the fortunes of kings.”
Whether the exercise was foolish or not, we cannot comment on till all the mysteries regarding the purpose and motive behind the construction is unravelled. And it is immaterial to know whether Pharaohs achieved immortality or not but certainly these monuments have by being untouched as one of the seven wonders of the world.
