Why were Pyramids Built?
Sun Rise Sun Set
It was common for most Ancient Egyptians to plan for their death. The pharaoh’s death was an important event. Elaborate arrangements were made for this event. Ancient Egyptians believed that the death of a pharaoh and then the appointing of his son as the new pharaoh were linked to the rising and setting of the sun. They believed that the pharaoh represented Horus when he was alive and when he died, he represented Osiris. As Horus he would make the sun rise, as Osiris he would make the sun set and then his son the new pharaoh would make the sun rise again. This is why it was important to make sure the body of the pharaoh was protected forever. Image Caption: 1. Orisis - An Egyptian God. N.d. Photograph. Web. 11 Mar. 2014. <http://universalheretic.files.wordpress.com/2009/11/osiris.jpg>. 2. Horus - An Egyptian God. N.d. Photograph. Web. 11 Mar. 2014. <http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-14U1HOlkSdU/UYU27w4QeRI/AAAAAAAAEhM/ZQHoy9HoL4E/s1600/Ancient+Egyptian+God+Horus+(3).jpg>. |
The Afterlife - Living to Eternity
In general, ancient Egyptians believed that the soul would return to the body in the afterlife. So it was very important for them to carefully preserve the dead so that their spirit could recognize them. In fact, they put personal valuables in tombs along with the mummies of nobility and royalty so that they could use those objects in their afterlives too.
This led to the 'mummification' process. During this process the body was embalmed and then covered with strips of fine linen. Once the process of mummification was completed, the pharaoh was buried with valuable items that would help him in his afterlife.
In general, ancient Egyptians believed that the soul would return to the body in the afterlife. So it was very important for them to carefully preserve the dead so that their spirit could recognize them. In fact, they put personal valuables in tombs along with the mummies of nobility and royalty so that they could use those objects in their afterlives too.
This led to the 'mummification' process. During this process the body was embalmed and then covered with strips of fine linen. Once the process of mummification was completed, the pharaoh was buried with valuable items that would help him in his afterlife.
What was buried with the pharaoh?
Sadly the pyramids had been looted much before Egyptologists could get to them. But there is evidence that the pyramids held boats, wooden statues, stone carvings, clothing, food, and luxury items that the pharaoh may have needed. These may have been royal items.
Sadly the pyramids had been looted much before Egyptologists could get to them. But there is evidence that the pyramids held boats, wooden statues, stone carvings, clothing, food, and luxury items that the pharaoh may have needed. These may have been royal items.
Image Captions:
1. Treasures in Pyramids. N.d. Photograph. Web. 11 Mar. 2014. <http://img.ezinemark.com/imagemanager2/files/30003693/2010/10/2010-10-07-15-29-31-11-the-exhibition-in-egypt-can-only-be-seen-and-exper.jpeg>.
2. Boat in a Pyramid. N.d. Photograph. Web. 11 Mar. 2014. <http://www.bugbitten.com/images/bfb7adf7a99438807f685ad24c7dd7fd/Energetic_Egypt-119449/Energetic_Egypt-4138807.jpeg>.
3. Limestone Jars and Offering Vessels. N.d. Photograph. Web. 11 Mar. 2014. <http://www.thehistoryblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/limestone-jars-burial-shaft-under-false-door.jpg>.
1. Treasures in Pyramids. N.d. Photograph. Web. 11 Mar. 2014. <http://img.ezinemark.com/imagemanager2/files/30003693/2010/10/2010-10-07-15-29-31-11-the-exhibition-in-egypt-can-only-be-seen-and-exper.jpeg>.
2. Boat in a Pyramid. N.d. Photograph. Web. 11 Mar. 2014. <http://www.bugbitten.com/images/bfb7adf7a99438807f685ad24c7dd7fd/Energetic_Egypt-119449/Energetic_Egypt-4138807.jpeg>.
3. Limestone Jars and Offering Vessels. N.d. Photograph. Web. 11 Mar. 2014. <http://www.thehistoryblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/limestone-jars-burial-shaft-under-false-door.jpg>.
Mastaba
![Picture](/uploads/2/6/6/9/26698909/1394519216.jpg)
Image Caption: Niankhkhnum and Khnumhotep's Mastaba. N.d. Photograph. Web. 11 Mar. 2014. <http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i1/lotus9977/niankhkhnumhotep_northface_mastaba.jpg>.
Before about 2700 B.C, we know that nobles and kings were buries in tombs called 'mastaba'. In Arabic, 'mastaba' means bench and these tombs looked like benches. They were rectangular brick or stone structures with flat roofs and sloping sides. These structures were easy to break into and so the tombs were often looted. Since the Egyptians believed that the personal items would be used in the afterlife by the dead person, it was very important to keep the personal belongings safe. The only way to keep them safe was to build bigger and stronger structures.
Above is a picture of a mastaba built for Niankhkhnum and Khnumhotep who were ancient Egyptian royal servants.