Most Egyptian people were farmers. Although Egypt had very little rain, the water was supplied by the Nile. Every year it flooded, covering it’s banks for 4 months. During this time, the farmers could not tend their fields, so the Pharaoh summoned them to work on his pyramid instead. This labor was a form of tax to the king. Although the work was hard, people went willingly. It was believed that the king who resembled a god would look after them in the Next World in return for their labor.

Once a suitably firm site was chosen and the ground flattened, the building could begin. Once the stones were tied to wooden sledges and dragged into position, they were ready to put on the finishing limestone casing.

BUILDING BLOCKS
Most of the stone came from quarries upstream but the limestone came from Tura on the East bank of the Nile. After being floated downstream by boats, it was put on a sledge with rollers to be dragged to the site. Water was continuously poured on the rollers so that the heat and friction caused by the movement would not trigger a fire.

THE CONSTRUCTION SITE
Even straight-sided pyramids were built with a step pyramid inside. To build the central structure, the stone blocks were probably dragged into place using up-ramps made of bricks and rubble. One wide ramp was used to add the outer casing. As the Pyramid grew taller, it was made longer and higher. Once the pyramid was finished, the ramp was taken apart.

THE PYRAMID COMPLEX
On the edge of the complex was the Valley Temple, which was probably where the King’s body was prepared for the burial. A causeway led to the mortuary temple, where offerings were made to the king’s spirit and the gods. There was also a small pyramid for the Queen and rectangular tombs or mastabas for the royal family and the courtiers.

A HUGE WORKFORCE
Professionals worked on the pyramids all year round. During the 4 months of Inundation, when the farmers arrived to do their labor tax, the Pharaoh was in charge of taking of them. He fed, watered, clothed and sheltered 80000 men at a time.

TOOLS OF THE TRADE
The Old Kingdom pyramid builders had copper chisels, saws and wooden sledges. To carve the blocks from the quarries, wooden wedges were driven into the rock and soaked with water. Once the wood had swollen, the stone split. Another method was to heat the rock and pour water over it.

THE HOLY ARCHITECT
The designer of the first-ever pyramid was named Imhotep. In about 2500 BC he built a step pyramid for king Zoser. He was believed to be so wise, and his pyramid was so impressive, that he was later worshipped as a god.