They aren’t really.
Some of the oldest pyramids, or pyramid attempts; were by Sneferu. There are some pyramids that were/are step like pyramids. They are older than the well known ones. The “Red pyramid” is the one egyptologists call the first true pyramid. The “Bent pyramid” was by Sneferu too. Bob Brier is a well respected and knowlegeable Egyptologist.
Oh yeah. To put things in perspective:
That step pyramid reminds me of the similar ones at about the same lat. in South America. I don’t know about their history. The Maya were involved.
The main difference being that the Egyptian pyramids were tombs for pharaohs, while many of the Mesoamerican pyramids were essentially temples built on top of artificial platforms. In other words, in function they’re more like Mesopotamian ziggurats than the Egyptian pyramids.
Did they stop the pyramid building because Hatshepsut had a mortuary type place built. And there’s rumor concerning Ay as a consort. At least I’ve heard Bob Brier talk of this. Constellations were found inside one of the tomb walls. I think that would be Thutmose III quite probably. And I don’t mean all that graffetti on the walls and such.
No, it was more because by the end of the Old Kingdom authority became less centralized as the power of non-royal administrative officials grew. By the so-called First Intermediate Period (ca. 2181–2055 BC), there was little political stability since two competing power bases (one based on Heracleopolis and the other in Thebes) was essntially fighting for control of Egypt. While the Theban faction (under Mentuhotep II) managed to defeat the Heracleopolitans - starting the 400-year Middle Kingdom period in the process - Egypt did not achieve the heights of power that produced the great pyramids of the Old Kingdom. (In fact, generally speaking, the building that took place was on a much more modest scale, suggesting that Egypt was not as strong as during the Old Kingdom period.) So the pharaohs could and did not harness the resources required for construction on a massive scale. That’s why the later, Middle Kingdom pyramids were smaller and more flimsy. While central authority was restored in the New Kingdom (ca. 1550-1069 BC), by that time the pharaohs had abandoned pyramids in favor of smaller and less expensive rock-cut tombs.
This is interesting. Just thought I’d post.
I’m so interested in things like this!
I find it miraculous that so many of these things haven’t long ago disintegrated. I wonder how they are able to preserve, even the pyramids, or ruins of temples and walls in the Holy Land.They had a great knowledge of preserving herbs for one. They also pulled the brain out through the nasal or upper mouth cavity. They know what to remove to preserve the mummies forever. So their Ka would survive forever.I’m so interested in things like this!
Still, it’s something!
Well, for one, they’re made of stone. Not to mention that Egypt is a dry desert area (note that it wasn’t always like this; 3-4000 years ago the place was more greener), which really helped preserve some stuff that would normally rot or erode in other places. (Being buried in desert sand for a couple thousand years or three quite helped actually).I’m so interested in things like this!
