The Great Pyramid of Khufu is popular as one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. There are many other pyramids at different places in Egypt. So, numerous people from all over the world visit this country to have a view of these magnificent structures. As Cairo is the capital city of Egypt, foreigners arrive here to visit various famous pyramids near this city.
How to reach Cairo
People from different countries take flights to reach Cairo International Airport. EgyptAir is the flag carrier of Egypt and it is run by the government of this country. It sends regular flights to 87 destinations in the Middle East, Asia, Africa, Europe, and America, from its main hub in Cairo Airport. Apart from this low-cost airline, people can also take flights run by Air Arabia, Qatar Airways, Oman Air, Emirates, Singapore Airlines, and Jazeera to reach Cairo.
Travelers can check the availability of flights from their home cities to Cairo on the websites of reliable travel agencies.
When were pyramids built?
According to the opinion of experienced archaeologists, most Egyptian pyramids were constructed after 3000 BC. A detailed analysis of some pyramids of Giza confirms that these structures were built during the period between 2589 BC and 2504 BC. The earliest step pyramids in Djoser are around 5568 years old, as confirmed by radiocarbon dating conducted on materials used in making these pyramids.
The tombs of kings of the 1st dynasty were built in Saqqara between 2920 BC and 2770 BC.
About Pyramids
Geometrically, a pyramid has a polygonal base and three triangular surfaces meeting up at a common point called the apex. The tombs of ancient Egyptian kings and people from royal families were built in this shape. Though there are also pyramids in other countries, the huge pyramids of Egypt are the most famous worldwide. Most of these pyramids were made of white limestone, basalt, or granite while the apex point was covered with gold or silver plates.
Pyramids near Cairo – Saqqara, Dashur, Abusir
Saqqara is a village in Giza, which is famous for housing many famous pyramids. This place is treated as the necropolis or burial ground of Egyptian royals living in Memphis. The Step Pyramid or Step Tomb of Djoser is the most famous one here. The stone pyramid complex of Djoser built by the kings of the Third Dynasty is also the oldest one in Egypt.
Dashur is another royal necropolis in the desert region on the western bank of the River Nile. This place to the south of Cairo is famous for holding some oldest and largest pyramids of Egypt. The Bent Pyramid built by King Sneferu was the earliest built structure, a part of which bent probably due to the softness of sandy soil or wrongly distributed stone blocks. The Red Pyramid or North Pyramid made of red limestone is the largest tomb of this necropolis, built by the same king and it holds his mortal remains.
Thirdly, Abusir is in the north of Saqqara and very close to Cairo. It also served as an extended necropolis with 14 pyramids made by royals of the 5th dynasty. The Pyramid of Neferirkare Kakai, the Pyramid of Sahure, and the Pyramid of Niuserre are three huge pyramids of this place, which attract lots of tourists. There are also Mastabas built for noble Egyptians of that time, which are flat-roof, rectangular structures made of mud bricks.
Pyramids in the south of Cairo – Giza has 3, Zaouiet el-Aryan
Giza is world-famous for housing the three largest pyramids in Egypt, namely the Great Pyramid of Khufu. The Pyramid of Khafre, and the Pyramid of Menkaure. However, the latter two pyramids are smaller than the first one in both volume and height. The Pyramid of Menkaure has a ring of many smaller pyramids, called Queen’s Pyramids. The Great Sphinx of Giza is located just opposite the Pyramid of Khufu, which is a limestone statue having the head of a human and the body of a lion.
Zawyet el-Aryan is located between Abusir and Giza. There are two incomplete pyramids, namely the Pyramid of Pharaoh Nebka and the Layer Pyramid probably built by Pharaoh Khaba of the Third Dynasty. However, these ruined pyramids have great historical importance to archaeologists and also attract many tourists here.
All these pyramids are the reasons for attracting passionate tourists from all over the world. All who want to know more about the ancient history and culture of Egypt from these excavated structures.
Read more: Best Time to Visit Egypt