My initial intention for this History paper was to focus on the construction of ancient monuments and structures, basically seeking an answer to better understand the methods and skills used in transporting and erecting the materials to form the ancient stone structures. As I collected the data from numerous resources to complete this assignment, I found my interest idled on the Egyptian Pyramids. In this paper, I will discuss the Egyptian pyramids of Giza (Khufu, Khafre and Menkaure).
The building types of Egypt may be divided into three classes - tombs, palaces, and temples. Throughout the history of ancient Egypt, religion led to the development and building of tombs for the dead. In the Old Kingdom, tombs are either of the pyramid or mastaba type. The mastaba was the tomb used for the nobles, as the pyramid was used for the Pharaohs. The mastaba consisted of a mass of stone, flat-topped and with inclined sides that contained funeral chapels and rooms for sacrifice, worship, and offerings. The pyramid was developed from the mastaba type by projecting its sloping sides upward until they met in a point. The pyramid is usually reserved for royal burials and is essentially an artificial mound that was originally made of brick and then stone was used for a more permanent material. The burial chamber is either within the pyramid itself or carved in the rock beneath it. (From Architecture Through The Ages, pg. 38).
It is hard to understand how the pyramids were built, including how the stones were raised into position because there is no written history nor any findings of actual layout or blue prints of the pyramids as it was undergoing construction. Constant experiments have demonstrated numerous ways that reflects the different possibilities of how the tasks may have been achieved without the benefit of using modern cranes. Acquiring the stones seems like it may have been a major task, but it may have been as simple as using teams of men that pulled on ropes to bring the stones to the work site.