The Cultural Impact of the Egyptian Pyramids Essay Example

Introduction

The Pyramids of Giza, one of the Seven Wonders of the World, have been standing for over 4,000 years. During that time, the pyramids have amazed and inspired the world of construction. The pyramids are seen in varying sizes but were all generally built the same way. The Egyptians that built the iconic structures did not let one detail go unnoticed and ensured that they would stand the test of time. 

Why Were the Pyramids Built?

The pyramids were not built to only be impressive to travelers and intimidating to possible enemies. The truth is that they were tombs to honor the dead. Egyptians believed heavily in the afterlife. They believed that the physical body needs to be preserved to properly continue throughout the afterlife. The spirit was believed to be made up of a few different parts, the “ba,” “akh,” and the “ka.” The “ba’ was known as the human-headed bird that was able to fly beyond the tomb. The “akh” was said to be a source of light in contrast to the darkness of death, often associated with the stars. The ka was more complex, more of a representation of the living person that survived to be the companion of the physical body after death (The Great Pyramid: Gateway to Eternity, p. two). The tombs themselves were built specifically for the powerful pharaohs. Pharaohs were expected to become gods once they passed, therefore the pyramids were erected to serve as the gods’ temples. The late pharaohs were then surrounded by possessions that would be useful and necessary to them in their afterlife (Pyramids of Giza, p. two). The tomb itself along with the surrounding possessions were all located centrally in the pyramid.

The Construction

For centuries, the pyramids were the tallest structures on Earth. They took decades to build. Even so, with being built before the time of helpful machinery available today, many wonder how the builders executed the pyramids so expertly. The pyramids consist of large blocks which are stacked to create a triangular shape.  Scientists have estimated that these blocks weigh over two tons apiece, with some of the larger blocks weighing up to fifteen tons (The Egyptian Pyramid, p. four). The blocks were made out of limestone and they were joined using desert clay. Egyptologists have theorized that the workers used some sort of rolling device to drag blocks from the mines to the pyramid (Ancient Civilizations, p. four). On the inside of the pyramid, spaces were carved out to create the tombs and storage rooms for the deceased's belongings. The central room was used as the actual tomb, and the smaller spaces off of it contained the pharaoh's provisions. Egyptians had copper tools to cut and chisel both the blocks and to carve the tunnels as well as the interior rooms (The Egyptian Pyramid, p. five). False doors showed the passageways between rooms. The doors were not intended to be usable because the pharaohs were believed to be able to move about without the help of structural passageways. These doors were inscribed with hieroglyphs along with the rest of the interior areas. (Pyramids, p. one).

Art in the Tombs

The builders not only took great care in constructing the pyramids in general, but they also made the most of the inside of the spaces by painting and inscribing scenes upon the surfaces. The Egyptians told the story of their everyday life through the decorated walls of the tombs. Egyptian words were seen along with varying motifs and scenes. The paintings often depicted scenes such as farmers tending to crops and livestock, fishing, religious rituals, carpentry, and dozens more (Pyramids of Giza, p. 13). 

Conclusion

In today’s time, the pyramids are being well preserved. The strong structures themselves are still standing tall and proudly. The art in the tombs has not held up as well as one would hope, unfortunately, due to fading paint pigments. Luckily, historic societies such as museums and researchers have images of all of the art shown on the walls in any of the pyramids. With all of the technology we have today, the pyramids will always be remembered, standing or not. Overall, the tremendous structures are an important part of the culture of Egypt, as well as in the history of construction.