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Sasha Vassell
ENG 105
Cultural Analysis
Professor Peterson
Pyramids Significance in Egyptian History
The pyramids of Gaza are one of the most impressive monuments of the ancient
world and also one of the most essential artifacts. Around 3000-2500 B.C.E the
Egyptians devoted a lot of energy in building pyramids. All of the pyramids in Egypt
were built during the Old Kingdom. Although they were built thousands of years ago
with blocks of stone, these pyramids are still in place. Not only are they fine works of
architecture, they play in an important role in the ancient Egyptian society. The pyramids
were the homes and protection for pharaohs for their afterlife and were monuments to
honor them.1 The relationship between the history of the Egyptians, pyramids and their
modern day life is extremely significant. Bringing Egypt out of the ordinary, the
pyramids contributed and played a big role in the Egyptian history.
The pyramid’s shape was rich in religious meanings for the ancient Egyptians. In
his article on Pyramids in the first volume of the Encyclopedia of Pseudoscience, Michael
Shermer noted that Egyptologist believe the pyramid’s shape represented the sun’s rays
as they break through the clouds. Sunrays were described as a ramp that the pharaoh used
to precede to heaven. 2 The Egyptians’ believed in many gods, although the pyramids
were the eternal homes of royalty the possibility of life after death was open to others not
just the pharaohs. Moreover, Egyptian religion has an ethical emphasis, a concern for
Dr. Karen Carr. “Egyptian Pyramids,” (January 15, 2009),
http://historyforkids.org/learn/egypt/architecture/pyramids.htm (accessed October 5, 2009).
2 In his article on Pyramids in the first volume of the Encyclopedia of Pseudoscience, Michael Shermer noted that
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justice. Based on the Egyptian notion of moral right, the gods ruled a cosmos. The
pharaoh was expected to treat his people fairly who had to be fair with their dealings with
one another. This was to assist the less well of, such as widows and orphans.3
The ziggurats are temples for gods, but the pyramids were built to house and
protect the pharaoh’s body. Before the pyramids, pharaohs built simpler tombs called
mastabas. After a while they began to build on to their mastabas to make them grander
that is how the pyramids came about. In the mean while, the ordinary princes were still
buried in mastabas.4 The Egyptian burial process included removal of all organs from the
deceased person except the heart. Organs were placed in jars to represent the 4 sons of
Osiris. (Osiris is one of the gods in the Egyptian creation myth.) Although the pharaohs
were only the Egyptian rulers, their power was absolute.
The pyramids of Gaza were built around 4,600 years ago and are among the best
examples of Egyptian architecture. The pyramids at Gaza were the first pointed pyramids,
before were the step pyramids, which had a flat top. Not only are they admirable work
but also the meticulousness of their structure and construction are fascinating. The Khufu,
pyramid one of the Great Pyramids of Gaza was the tallest building on earth for 5,000
years up until 1889 when the Eiffel Tower was built. The original name was Khufu’s
Horizen. It was built for the second ruler, Pharaoh Medjedu Khufu, of the fourth Dynasty
in ancient Egypt. The pyramid is the oldest, largest, and tallest pyramid of them all.5 The
mummies of the pharaohs were not the only things being stored in the pyramids for the
3
Jiu-Hwa L. Upshur, Janice J.Terry, James P. Holoka, Richard D. Goff, and George H. Cassar. World History
(Belmont, CA: Thomson Wadsworth, 2005)
4 Dr. Karen Carr. “Egyptian Pyramids,” (January 15, 2009),
http://historyforkids.org/learn/egypt/architecture/pyramids.htm (accessed October 5, 2009).
5 Jiu-Hwa L. Upshur, Janice J.Terry, James P. Holoka, Richard D. Goff, and George H. Cassar. World History
(Belmont, CA: Thomson Wadsworth, 2005)
afterlife. Food, hunting supplies, and treasure for the afterlife were among some of the
items placed in the pyramids. Sometimes, even pets and servants went in the pyramids so
they could be served for eternity.6 Not all pyramids are said to have hieroglyphics in them
that are translatable. The hieroglyphics show the Egyptian way of writing, which was one
of the very first writing systems of the ancient world. 7
Showing the greatness of the Egyptian architecture is another influence that these
pyramids have made. Bringing bare proof of the greatest of the Egyptian culture. The
pyramids show the brilliance of ancient Egyptian civilization with their technological
advances such as their working habits in build a foundation as highly respected as the
pyramid. They worked using all natural resources and strength to build a structure as
mighty as the pyramids. Standing for over 3800 years, they have overcome natural
disasters, including earthquakes. The Great Pyramids have a real significance in Egypt.
The equilateral triangle is what the pyramids represent, a perfect symmetry. Having three
sides represents the tri- natured aspects of God. The three aspects of God include God the
creator, God the preserver, and God the transformer. Also, the four faces of the pyramid
is suppose to represent the four faces of God, and the four points on a compass which is
the fours aspects of God. 8
The legendary Pyramids at Giza give Egypt a great architectural look. They are
considered to be one of the seven wonders of Egypt; it still remains a mystery on how
they were built. The Great Pyramids of Giza have also influence Egypt in their present
Mike Owens. “Ancient Egypt Structures,” (2000), http://library.thinkquest.org/j002046F/pyramids.htm (accessed
October 5,2009)
7 Georg Olms Verlagsbuchhandlung. Narrative of the operations and recent discoveries within the pyramids, temples,
tombs, and excavations in Egypt and Nubia; and of a journey to the coast of the Red Sea (London, England:
Hildeshiem, 1995-1998)
8 Tejuan Pettinger. “The Spiritual Significance of the Great Pyramids.” (August 21, 2008).
http://www.writespirit.net/blog/archive/2007/08/21/great-pyramids
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day. The influence on the modern day Egypt would be a source of income for the
Egyptians, drawing travelers from all over. The Great Pyramids receive the most tourism
in the world. 9 The tourists of their country pay around one hundred Egyptian pound to
visit the pyramids, while the natives only pay around one Egyptian pound to visit.
Although this is known, people still pay their one hundred Egyptian pound to view their
precise ancient buildings in Egypt.
Pyramids contained many things in them as well as texts in the. There were
writings on the walls in pyramids as well. The type of writing is well known as
hieroglyphics, which are the oldest body of religious literature.10 Hieroglyphics are
famously known all around the world as Egyptian’s first writing system. If there were no
pyramids to show the evidence on how these hieroglyphics were used then they would
not be as well known as they are today. These writings also influence the later Egyptian
literatures. 11
No other civilization produced a collection of breathtaking monuments or has a
civilization lasted longer than the Egyptian’s. Among other things, there are descriptions
of how the pyramids were built that have been successfully used to build these models
and there is physical evidence, in the form of quarries and ramps. Ancient Egyptians left
physical evidence supporting their written claims. 12 Pyramids were not their only
contribution to the world, although they are admiring works of architecture. The
Egyptian’s most important contribution to the world is advancing the existence of
specialized doctors, physicians for specific areas of medicine. Along the West Bank of
Upshur, Jiu-Hwa L.. World History: African Civilization, Belmont, CA: Thomson Wadsworth, 2005.
Michel Moore. “The Ancient Egypt Pyramid Texts.” Journal of Biblical literature. (2006)
11 Michel Moore. “The Ancient Egypt Pyramid Texts.” Journal of Biblical literature. (2006)
12 David Sunfellow. “The Great Pyramid and The Sphinx,” (November 25,1994),
http://www.nhne.com/specialreports/srpyramid.html (accessed October 5, 2009)
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the Nile River, the pyramids lay. These buildings are what make the Egyptian culture
significant and different from any other culture.
Sasha Vassell
Professor Peterson
Bibliography
Mike Owens. “Ancient Egypt Structures.” (2000).
http://library.thinkquest.org/j002046F/pyramids.htm (accessed October 5,2009)
Verlagsbuchhandlung, Georg Olms . Narrative of the operations and recent discoveries
within the pyramids, temples, tombs, and excavations in Egypt and Nubia; and of a
journey to the coast of the Red Sea. London, England: Hildeshiem, 1995-1998.
Sunfellow, David. “The Great Pyramid and The Sphinx.” (November 25,1994).
http://www.nhne.com/specialreports/srpyramid.html (accessed October 5, 2009)
Dr. Carr, Karen. “Egyptian Pyramids.” (January 15, 2009).
http://historyforkids.org/learn/egypt/architecture/pyramids.htm (accessed October 5,
2009).
Upshur, Jiu-Hwa L., Terry, Janice J., Holoka, James P., Goff, Richard D., and Cassar,
George H. “World History.” Belmont, CA: Thomson Wadsworth, 2005.
Moore, Micheal. “The Ancient Egypt Pyramid Texts.” Journal of Biblical literature.
(2006)
Pettinger, Tejuan. “The Spiritual Significance of the Great Pyramids.” (August 21,
2008). http://www.writespirit.net/blog/archive/2007/08/21/great-pyramids