2. Pyramids
Grade 4
J.Kennedy

3. What are Pyramids?
A Pyramid is a structure in which all outer surfaces excluding the base are triangular and converge to a single point.

4. Types of Pyramids Straight-sided Step Pyramid (Khafre) (Chichen Itza)

5. Step Pyramids
The first pyramids that were constructed were step pyramids.
They were constructed of large stone instead of mud brick.
They were stone steps with more stone steps placed on top.
The first pyramid in history was the Djoser Pyramid in Egypt.

6. Straight-sided Pyramids
Structures that all sides bend in to form the top-center.
Where developed after the step pyramids.
The largest pyramid in the world is the Great Pyramid of Giza in Egypt.
Straight-sided pyramids may symbolize ramps of sunbeams

7. Egyptian Pyramids http://pixdaus.com/pics/1213766193WhUT5ug.jpg

8. Pyramids outside of Egypt

9. Why were pyramids built?
Egyptian Pyramids were built to be great stone tombs for deceased pharaohs or kings.
The belief in that time period was that step pyramids were the stairway to the stars and straight-sided pyramids were strengthened by sunbeams so the king could walk up them to join their god Ra.
Pyramids outside of Egypt such as the Mayan pyramids were used as temples for religious rituals such as prayers and sacrifices.
Egyptian Pyramids were built to be great stone tombs for deceased pharaohs or kings. The belief in that time period was that step pyramids were the stairway to the stars and straight-sided pyramids were strengthened by sunbeams so the king could walk up them to join their god Ra.
The Mayans could not often go inside their pyramids.

10. Building a Pyramid
The king or pharaoh would choose the place where his pyramid would be built.
He then would work with is architect on the design and dimensions of his pyramid.
The culture and religion heavily influenced the building of pyramids, so they used astronomers to decide which way the pyramid would face to line up with favorable stars.

11. Building a Pyramid
The underground chambers in Egyptian pyramids were built first followed by the base and then the core of the pyramid
As the pyramid grew, the workman built into it passageways and other chambers planned by the architect.
Getting and preparing thousands of stone blocks was difficult and very laborious work.
It took professionals such as stonemasons, carpenters, and artists to build pyramids.

12. Building a Pyramid
We do not know exactly how ancient Egyptian pyramids were actually built. Archaeologists have different ideas on how they were built.
One method suggests blocks of stone were dragged up a mud ramp built round and round the pyramid.
Another method asserts blocks of stone were dragged up a short mud ramp and then onto a ramp going round and round the top parts of the pyramid.

13. Building a Pyramid

14. Building a Pyramid
Unlike Egyptian pyramids that have sloping sides which were built in stages, most pyramids were built like large steps.
Most of these pyramids were built around piles of rubble and do not have passageways and chambers inside.
One Mayan pyramid-temple called the Citadel actually has a dark and narrow secret passageway that goes into the middle of the pyramid hiding a room with a jaguar shaped throne.

15. Inside an Egyptian Pyramid
Carvings and paintings were done inside of pyramids.
Pharaohs were buried with incredible amounts of treasures and artifacts such as furniture and other goods they would need in the next world.
Hieroglyphs written on the walls outside of the burial chambers and are like magical spells meant to protect the king.

16. Inside an Egyptian Pyramid

17. Tikal One of the largest Archaeological sites in Cambodia.
Tikal was a conquest state that became on of the most powerful kingdoms in ancient Maya
Is an Archaeological site with six temple pyramids.
Temple one (picture) is known as The Temple of the Great Jaguar.
It was a funerary pyramid dedicated to Jasaw Chan K’wail who was entombed in the structure in 734 AD.
The massive roof comb that sat at the top of the temple used to be decorated with a giant sculpture of the enthroned king.

18. Angkor Wat A temple complex at Angkor, Cambodia.
Build for king Suryavarman II in the early 12 century.
It is the world’s Largest religious building.
The temple was dedicated to the god Vishnu as king Suryavarman’s state temple and capital city.
The temple moved from Hindu to a Theravada Buddhist temple.
The temple is admired for its architecture and numerous statues adorning its walls.

19. Nubian Pyramids
Located in Sudan and was the home of three Kushite kingdoms.
Approximately 220 pyramids were constructed at the three sites in Nubia.
All of the pyramids were tombs for kings and queens.
Most of the pyramids were built with temple structures at there bases.
The occupants of the tombs were mummified , covered with jewelry and laid to rest in wooden mummy cases.

20. Candi Sukuh Temple
A Javanese-Hindu temple located on the western slope of Mount Lawu on the border between Central and East Java provinces.
It was built as a place to worship ancient ancestors nature spirits and the observance of fertility cults.
The Temples’ distinctiveness and lack of records make it hard for historians to interpret the significance of the temple and its antiquities.

21. Pyramids Outside Egypt
Pyramide von Hellinikon (Greece)
Tomb of the General (China)
Borobudur (Indonesia)
Koh Ker Temple (Cambodia)