The Pyramids typify ancient Egypt-the land of antiquities. Whenever one thinks of Egypt, the image of colossal golden colored pyramids comes to the mind. These massive, geometrical structures with mythological depictions, tell unknown tales of the past. Over the past centuries these architectural masterpieces of Egypt have enthralled the travelers, philosophers, poets, architects and et al. The Pyramids with its mysterious air simply lures the tourists in this Land of Pharaohs to explore the past.
Egypt altogether houses more than hundred pyramids that are scattered throughout the country. A large number of pyramids are located in an around Cairo, the capital of Egypt. In fact the history of Pyramids dates back to the era when Egypt was ruled by the Djoser of Third Dynasty. The first pyramid that was built in Egypt was the Step Pyramid at Saqqara during Djoser's time. This pyramid was built to entomb and protect the royal body of the monarch and this construction initiated the Pyramid era.
The people of ancient Egypt nurtured a strong belief that life exists after death.
Thus after the demise of a person, a new journey to the next world awaits him. So the Egyptians wanted to preserve the body of their favorite Pharaohs for his next life and hence buried the mummified body within or underneath the pyramid. The Pyramids were constructed for the purpose of shielding the mummies.
The most famous of all Pyramids in Egypt are the Pyramids of Giza that lies adjacent to the Memphis which was the capital city of Khufu, Khafre and Menkaure, the fourth dynasty kings. The most impressive and striking among all these pyramids is the Great Pyramid of Khufu. It is the biggest and the oldest of all pyramids and has been considered as one of the Seven Wonders of the World.
However, these Pyramids that housed the mummies along with valuable clothes, precious jewelries and other artifacts and relics became the haunt of tomb raiders and almost everything had been robbed. Pyramids, these awe-inspiring monoliths stand as a testimony to the bygone era of the legendary Pharaohs.
