Tombs and Pyramids

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

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

-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

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

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

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 Pharaoh Khafra

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

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

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