Pyramids of Egypt

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Interesting
tidbits about
Pyramids of Eqypt

Pyramid
construction method

Many theories exist on how the Pyramids of Egypt were constructed. Most Egyptologists now believe that a large temporary earth ramp with a gentle incline was built. The giant stone blocks were then dragged up the slope with a combination of pulleys, levers and raw manpower.

Erroneous
block count

The number of large stone blocks used to build the Pyramids of Egypt is often overstated. For example, it is commonly written that 2.3 million were used for Khufu's structure. The actual figure is many times smaller when you divide the cubic size of the pyramid by the average cubic size of the stone blocks.

Evolving
Pyramid design

Over the course of several centuries, the construction design evolved from the modestly high step pyramid style to the skyscraping, smooth-sided pyramids of Khufu and Chephren at Giza.

Decline

Then, starting with Menkure's pyramid (the nearest one in the picture), size and structural strength gradually began to decline. The primary reasons were weakening economies and fading pharaonic powers.

Alignment

The three great Pyramids of Egypt have a north-south alignment because the polar stars were considered sacred.