The Pyramids of Egypt are one of the wonders of the world. They are ancient architectural structures that were built in Ancient Egypt. Few know that the number of pyramids found so far are not just 4 or 5 but over 100.
In the Valley of Kings, there are more than 138 pyramids, which serve as the tombs of the pharaohs and their wives. All of the pyramids were built during the Old Kingdom and Middle Kingdom periods.
The oldest Egyptian pyramids were discovered in Saqqara, northwest of Memphis. Among these is the Pyramid of Djoser, built during the 3rd Dynasty, which is thought to be the oldest Egyptian pyramid. It and the mortuary complex around it were built by Imhotep.
The Pyramid of Djoser impresses with its vast dimensions. It has a rectangular base 125 x 115 m (358 ft × 410 ft) and stands about 60 m (197 ft) tall.
The most famous pyramids in the world are located in the Giza necropolis on the outskirts of Cairo. These are the Pyramid of Khafre, the Pyramid of Khufu and the Pyramid of Menkaure.
The largest of the 3 is the Pyramid of Khufu. According to archaeologists, it was built about a century after the Pyramid of Djoser but surpasses it in every way possible.
The Pyramid of Khufu has a square base of 756 ft (230.4 m) per side and height from base to tip of 455 ft (137.3 m). At the time of its construction, archaeologists say it was 481 ft (147.3 m) tall but at some point its top was broken, leaving a flat area there now.
The 2nd largest pyramid is the Pyramid of Khafre. Its base is 706 ft (215.5 m) per side and it stands at 448 ft (136.4 m) tall, its original height once being 471 ft (143.5 m). Upon its completion it was decorated with pink granite, which is no longer present today.
The smallest of the 3 Pyramids of Giza is the Pyramid of Menkaure, barely about 213 ft (61 m) tall and 343 ft (104.6) at the base. Its volume is just 1/10th that of the Pyramid of Khufu.
