The construction process and purpose of the pyramids remain some of the most intriguing mysteries of archaeology and history. Despite numerous theories, myths and speculations, the truth about pyramidal structures remains unsolved in full.
The most obvious and logical question that arises for every researcher. Who was responsible for the creation of these grandiose structures? The answer to this question hides both the details of the social structure of ancient Egypt and the culture of labor in those times.
One of the most popular myths is the notion that the pyramids were built by thousands of slaves forced to labor under the oppression of cruel pharaohs. However, archaeological excavations in recent decades have strongly challenged this myth. Examination of the remains of worker camps found near the pyramids shows that most of the builders were free men who worked on the project under contract or as compulsory public service.
It is believed that the laborer's - mostly peasants - were hired to build the pyramids during periods of Nile flooding when their normal agricultural work was suspended. Pyramid construction work was very highly organized and coordinated, and it is likely that the builders received food, lodging and monetary rewards for their efforts.
In addition to ordinary workers, the construction of pyramids involved highly skilled architects, engineers and craftsmen who developed the design, built the mechanisms and monitored the quality of work. For example, the world-famous architect Imhotep, who lived in the 3rd millennium BC, played an important role in the development of the first large stone structures. The pyramids built under pharaohs such as Cheops and Chephren were characterized by outstanding engineering complexity, requiring the highest level of expertise.
There are many theories as to why the pharaohs of the Egyptian kingdom decided to erect these majestic structures. Pyramids served not only as tombs, but also as important cultural and religious symbols. Why the pyramids and not other forms of burial?
The most obvious version, and the one with which most researchers agree, is that the pyramids were tombs for the pharaohs. The great rulers of Egypt aspired to immortality, and the pyramids were a symbol of their quest for eternal life. It was a way of showing their divinity and permanence, even after death.
The Egyptians believed that after death, the pharaoh transformed into a god. In this regard, the pyramids represented not only a place for burial, but also a portal to the afterlife. In addition, the pyramids themselves faced the rising sun, which symbolized the pharaoh's union with the god Ra, the solar deity.
Every detail of the pyramids was strictly thought out and had a religious meaning. The shape of the pyramid could be interpreted as a representation of the sunbeam that descends to earth and connects people with the divine. The triangular shape of the pyramid may have symbolized the aspiration towards the heavens and towards divine power.
An important aspect is that the pyramids were built with mathematical precision. This indicates that the ancient Egyptians were not only outstanding builders, but also profound philosophers for whom mathematics and astronomy were integral parts of religion.
The pyramids also served as symbols of the pharaoh's power, his inviolability and eternity of rule. In fact, the pyramids were not only tombs, but also monumental monuments that were supposed to remind future generations of the great ruler and his rule. It was a kind of political tool that strengthened the power and respect for the pharaoh.
One of the biggest questions that still has no definite answer concerns how exactly such gigantic structures were built. How did the Egyptians, lacking modern technology, manage to create pyramids with such a level of precision, using stone blocks weighing up to several tones? Some scientists believe that complex lifting systems and slopes were used to transport and stack the blocks. Others believe that wooden scaffolding and lever systems may have been used, but many uncertainties remain.
Some scientists hypothesize that the pyramids could have not only religious but also astronomical purpose. Probably, they were used for precise observations of stars and for creation of calendars. Location of pyramids with accuracy to azimuth in relation to the North indicates a high level of astronomical knowledge of Egyptians.
