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Egyptian
Pyramids Set made from Brass.
What is
Pyramids :
The true pyramid exists only in
Egypt, though the term has also been applied to similar
structures in other countries. Egyptian pyramids are square
in plan and their triangular sides, which directly face the
points of the compass, slope upwards at approximately a 50°
angle from the ground and meet at an apex. The prototype
for the pyramid are the
mastabas
of the Old Kingdom (2680—2565 ), which are rectangular in
plan and have only two sloping sides. After these came the
step-pyramid at
Sakkara,
built c.2620 , which soon evolved into the straight-sided
true pyramid. This monumental structure was developed
around the IV dynasty and continued to be the favored form
for royal burial through the VI dynasty.
Each monarch
built his own pyramid in which his mummified body might be
preserved for eternity away from human view and sacrilege.
As a result of the lack of sophisticated machinery, the
construction of each pyramid took many years and required
measureless amounts of building materials and labor.
Entrance into a pyramid is through an opening in the
northern wall. A small passage, traversing lesser chambers,
leads to the sepulchral room deep beneath the surface.
Stone blocks forming a gable divert the weight of the great
masonry masses over these chambers. Though the pyramids
were usually built of rough stone blocks laid up in
horizontal courses, many were constructed of mud bricks
with a stone casing.
The
three Egyptian pyramids of Giza near Cairo, all of the IV dynasty,
are the largest and finest of their kind. The Great Pyramid
of
Khufu
or Cheops (begun c.2680 ) was designated one of the
Seven Wonders of the World
and is the largest pyramid ever built. A solid mass of
limestone blocks covering 13 acres (5.3 hectares), it was
originally 756 ft (230 m) along each side of its base and
482 ft (147 m) high. It has several passages, two large
chambers in addition to one beneath the ground level, and
two small air chambers for ventilation.
Egyptian Brass Pyramids Set . |
