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Text and black-and-white illustrations follow the intricate step-by-step process of the building of an ancient Egyptian pyramid.
Anonymous
Posted April 22, 2013
There are many different types of pyramids, such as the Egyptian, Asian, and Central American. Ancient Egyptian pyramids were used as tombs. The four triangular sides of a pyramid spreading below a single peak, represented the rays of the sun shining down on the pharaoh. This was supposed to connect him with Ra, the Egyptians sun god. The pyramids were always put on the west side of the Nile River. Once a pharaoh became king, work on the pyramid was started immediately. The pharaoh would send an architect and a surveyor to find a flat site. Once it was found, the pharaoh would be brought to the site and have the work begin. Work on the pyramid was done during the season that the Nile River would flood. This allowed the Egyptian men to work on the pyramid without having to tend to crops also. The stone blocks were brought up the pyramid by sleds and ramps. There are two different types of ramps that could have been used. The winding staircase ramp and the straight ramp. The straight ramp was probably the one that was used more, because it would have been almost impossible for a group of about 36 men or more pulling a giant stone block to turn the sharp corners of the winding staircase ramp. Besides, archaeologists(SP?) have found ancient paintings and pictures of Egyptians using a straight ramp to build a pyramids. It woukd have been hard for the Egyptians to drag or even carry the stone blocks of the pyramid to the site. So, they probably used sleds. They could have set logs in the sand, making a track, and then pulled the sled on the track while pouring oil in front of the it. This would have made it a lot easier for the Egyptuan men to pull. They also could have set logs on the ground in a row, and then pulled the sled on top of the logs which would have made it roll along. The Great Pyramid is an example of an Egyptian pyramid. It is the last of the Seven Wonders of World left. The temperature in this great pyramid is exactly the same as the earth's internal temperature. The sides of this pyramid used to be covered in mantle slabs which would have been able to have been seen from the mountains in Israel or from the moon. Usually when it would take up to 20 years or more, the Great Pyramid of Giza took up to 80 years or more. Unlike Egyptian pyramids, Asian pyramids were built for temples. They were mainly built to celebrate whatever faith the people believed in. The Mayans, Aztecs, and Incas are the main Indians known to have built pyramids as temples for their gods. Some other smaller Indian tribes have been known to build pyramids for their priests. Their pyramids though, were merely mounds of dirt with a house on top. Thr type of pyramids the Mayans, Aztecs, and Incas built could be called ziggurats. These pyramids look much steeper than the Egyptian pyramids, becuase the Mayans, Aztecs, and Incas built them with staircases that get narrower as you go up. These pyramids were also built to draw the attention of the crowd below to the topto watch the priests perform sacrifices.
Anonymous
Posted June 4, 2012
The text is fine, but the illustrations are unreadable on the Nook.
Anonymous
Posted February 18, 2012
Good
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted June 22, 2008
Most everyone is fascinated with the Pyramids of ancient Egypt. The third in David Macaulay's series of books of how things in history were built uses both interesting text and black-and-white illustrations to tell about the process of building an ancient Egyptian pyramid. After explaining a little generally about life and death in ancient Egypt, the author takes us back to 2470 B. C. for the coronation of a new Pharaoh. Within two years, he must begin preparing for the end of his life and instructs his architect and best friend, Mahnud Hotep, to design his tomb. Though the pyramid and complex of surrounding temples and tombs in the story are imaginary, they are based closely on several of the pyramids and remnants of temples that were built in Egypt between 2700 and 2200 B. C. and are still standing. Patterned after the pyramids of three earlier Pharaohs at Giza, the new pyramid would be built in three parts--the central core, the packing blocks, and the outer casing. All three parts were to be constructed simultaneously, one layer at a time. Most scholars agree that earth ramps were used in the construction process, but they differ as to where the ramps were placed. Macaulay included the two most popular theories in his visualizations. After the construction process is described in detail, the workers are still laying alabaster floor slabs when the Pharaoh dies in 2439, following a rule of 31 years ruling. The book then explains in detail the embalming, funeral, and burial. Any study of ancient Egypt will be greatly aided by the use of this book.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted June 29, 2000
Having never read Macauley before, I didn't know what to expect. The illustrations are superb, the written context is very educational. I am anxious to read some of his other titles.
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Posted August 22, 2010
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Posted March 8, 2011
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Posted April 13, 2011
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Posted January 20, 2012
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Posted May 2, 2011
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Posted November 1, 2010
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Overview
Text and black-and-white illustrations follow the intricate step-by-step process of the building of an ancient Egyptian pyramid.