The Pyramids really seem to be big mysteries of the past. They are structures that are like giant triangles. They must be extremely strong structures to have held their own and survive for thousands of years. A pyramid generally has four sides, since the base can be either square or triangular. The most familiar pyramids are known have a square base and 4 triangular sides that come together in a pointy top where as other pyramids have a flat top as roof.

But why were these pyramids built at all? For what purpose were they used?  These pyramids generally housed the mummies of dead pharaohs. Pharaohs were the mystical rulers of ancient Egypt. The ancient Egyptians believed that this way the pharaoh could last forever. The pyramids were perfect for holding items that would help the pharaoh in his afterlife. Ancient Egyptians strongly believed that there was another life that begins after the life on Earth ends. These items were most likely the pharaoh’s favorite possessions and were treated as royal things.  Some of the famous pharaohs of Egypt were King Tut (Tutankhamun) and Cleopatra.

The Pyramids of Giza are the most popular and are the most visited in Egypt today.  The Great Pyramid is the largest and the oldest of all the three pyramids on the Giza plateau (near Cairo). Next to the Great Pyramids is the statue of a very large stone lion with the head of a man. This statue is called the Sphinx. These pyramids are grand and elaborate, but they did not get this way quickly. It took a long time, and many attempts to perfect the three pyramids we see today.

Some scientists believe that pyramids were the oldest power plants which generated microwaves. Mysterious huh!