🗻 The Small Pyramids in Egypt...Their Number and Story

 

 

Introduction

 

The pyramids of Egypt have captivated people for thousands of years. While the Great Pyramids of Giza attract the most attention, Egypt is filled with smaller, lesser-known pyramids with intriguing histories. These small pyramids vary widely in size, location, purpose, and more. Understanding these small, mystical structures provides deeper insight into ancient Egyptian culture. 

 

 Overview of Egyptian Pyramids

 Great Pyramids of Giza

 Smaller Regional Pyramids

 Pyramids Built for Queens and Family Members

 

 The Many Small Pyramids of Saqqara

 Pyramid of Djoser

 Pyramid of Userkaf

 Pyramid of Unas

 

 Small Pyramids Discovered in 2020

 Structure and Layout

 Artifacts Found

 

 The Cult Pyramids 

 Pyramids for Royal Cult Worship

 Niche Pyramids

 

 Unique Underground Pyramids

 Hidden for Centuries 

 

 Pyramids Transformed by Time

 Pyramids Damaged by Quarrying

 Pyramids Buried Under Cities

 

 Small Pyramids Offer Unique Insight  

 Religion and Afterlife Customs

 Politics and Social Structures  

 

 Conclusion

 Legacy of Small Pyramids 

 

 🗻 The small pyramids in Egypt...their number and story

 

Overview of Egyptian Pyramids

 

 Great Pyramids of Giza

The Great Pyramids of Giza are the mammoth pyramids situated on the Giza plateau just outside Cairo. Built during the 4th dynasty around 2560 BCE, these colossal structures have towering heights of over 450 feet and expansive bases covering multiple acres each. They include the Great Pyramid of Khufu, Khafre and Menkaure.

 

 Smaller Regional Pyramids

Beyond Giza, dozens of smaller pyramids cropped up in major regional centers like Saqqara, Dahshur, Abusir, and elsewhere. Ranging from 20 feet to over 200 feet tall, these monuments housed royal tombs and ceremonial sites as Egyptian dynasties expanded their influence and trade networks.

 

 Pyramids Built for Queens and Family Members 

 Queens and extended family members of pharaohs also received their pyramids, though smaller in scale than the grand pharaoh edifices. The purpose remained the same - provide divine eternal rest for the dead filled with provisions and decor.

 

The Many Small Pyramids of Saqqara

 

The Saqqara pyramid complex contains over a dozen small pyramids built through multiple dynasties. Ranging from 90 to 200 feet tall, these contain intricate tunnels, offering rooms and unique architectural styles.

 

 Pyramid of Djoser

The iconic Step Pyramid of Djoser kicked off the pyramid age, with its innovative layered mastaba design soaring 204 feet using six total levels. Built around 2630 BCE, it houses miles of tunnels underneath and remains one of the best-preserved ancient pyramids. 

 

 Pyramid of Userkaf

The small 98-foot-tall pyramid of Userkaf broke tradition by not using limestone for the outer layer. Instead, it relied solely on locally sourced Saqqara clay bricks. Constructed around 2490 BCE, it also housed the first known example of a valley temple.

 

 Pyramid of Unas

The last king of the 5th Dynasty built the smallest pyramid at Saqqara, only 43 feet tall. However, the Pyramid of Unas contained a highly complex interior design with twisting passages written with mystical funerary texts.

 

Small Pyramids Discovered in 2020

 

In 2020, archaeologists uncovered remnants of an unusual pyramid site 30 miles south of Cairo. The layout and artifacts provide new insight into early Egyptian dynasties.

 

 Structure and Layout 

Perfectly intact small pyramids were discovered in rows along with adjoining buildings. The four pyramids range from 22 to 43 feet tall, with the surprising feature of rounded corners rather than sharp points. The small internal rooms lack typical passages or artifacts as well.

 

 Artifacts Found

Remarkable artifacts found indicate activity spanning 700 years, starting from around 3700 BCE. Items include stone vessels, clay seals, and linen textiles remarkably preserved despite their age. Jewelry, bread molds, and twisted human remains also shed light on daily life combining luxury and dysfunction.

 

The Cult Pyramids

 

Some small pyramids were built not for burial sites, but rather as religious temple structures to inspire worship of divine rulers even in far-flung provinces. These cult pyramids amplified pharaoh godhood locally long after dynastic declines from the Old Kingdom heydays.

 

 Pyramids for Royal Cult Worship

Cult pyramids contained dimly lit interior shrines at their base rather than the deep burial tunnels of typical pyramids. These small shrines allowed local commoners to worship the reigning pharaoh as a living god and offer tribute during festivals without traveling hundreds of miles to Memphis.

 

 Niche Pyramids

Extremely small niche pyramids (less than 20 feet tall) housed iconic statues and images of pharaohs inside tight spaces. During processions and ceremonies, priests slid aside doors to reveal effigies bathed in sunlight to overwhelm citizens with divine symbolism.

 

Unique Underground Pyramids

 

Recently discovered small pyramids remained completely concealed below ground until unearthed by archaeologists, unlocking hidden history.

 

 Hidden for Centuries

The odd-angled passages under the Pyramid of Amenemhat III disguised its nature as a pyramid for over 2000 years. It was simply assumed part of the famous Black Pyramid remains. When tunnels were explored in the early 1900s, a perfectly intact miniature pyramid emerged 55 feet below.

 

Pyramids Transformed by Time

 

Erosion, demolition of resources, and expansion of civilization all left permanent marks on small fragile pyramids.

 

 Pyramids Damaged by Quarrying

Some small pyramids weakened structurally over centuries of storms and earthquakes. Local inhabitants realizing key limestone or granite components remained pristine then dismantled exposed outer layers for reuse in new buildings. This slow demolition destroyed weathered external portions while inner rooms survived relatively untouched.

 

 Pyramids Buried Under Cities 

Urban sprawl likewise obscured small outlying pyramids as towns grew into cities and then absorbed the countryside over generations. The entire pyramid complex at Zawyet Al Aryan lies below layers of modern Giza. Locals still descend smell shafts to scavenge the underground black market for artifacts.

 

Small Pyramids Offer Unique Insight

  

While hidden in the shadows of the Great Pyramids, these smaller structures reveal insights unavailable elsewhere. From construction techniques to symbolic rituals of life and death, they expand knowledge of ancient Egypt.

 

 Religion and Afterlife Customs

Design elements from small niche pyramids and miniature effigy structures provided templates for grand monuments while revealing evolving views on divinity, the afterlife, and funerary customs. Religious texts etched into their walls likewise survive nowhere else.

 

 Politics and Social Structures

The advent of smaller regional pyramids demonstrates the political strategies of fledgling dynasties. As pharaohs expanded their influence by appointing local governors, they granted royal burial rights. This incentivized allegiance from subjects while creating local royal worship centers and visible symbols of pharaoh authority.

 

Conclusion 

 

The small pyramids help complete the story of ancient Egypt, providing intimate details on rulers, citizens, and changing customs over the millennia. Though dwarfed by towering icons like the Great Pyramids, these small structures offer an enduring legacy in their own right. They stand the test of time both physically while unlocking cultural insights still being unearthed today by historians.

 

 Frequently Asked Questions

 

 What is the total number of pyramids discovered in Egypt?

There are approximately 138 pyramids discovered so far in Egypt. The vast majority of these are smaller regional pyramids rather than the more famous Great Pyramids of Giza. Archaeologists continue finding more all the time.

 

 How big are the small pyramids compared to the Great Pyramids? 

The Great Pyramids of Giza each have heights of around 480 feet tall. Small pyramids range hugely in size but generally have heights under 200 feet, sometimes just 20 or 30 feet tall. Their bases also tend to be much smaller than the multi-acre Great Pyramids.

 

 Which Egyptian pyramid has the most complex passageways?

The Pyramid of Unas has some of the most intricate internal passage layouts found yet in Egypt. Built around 2350 BCE, it contains narrow tunnels leading to multiple rooms filled with hieroglyphs and images.

 

 Did slaves build the small pyramids?

It was once believed vast armies of slaves built pyramids through forced manual labor. However, recent evidence suggests skilled local laborers built Egyptian pyramids, including small regional pyramids. Paid workers likely created these architectural marvels over decades.  

 

 What was the most recent pyramid discovered in Egypt?

In 2020, archaeologists uncovered a series of small 4,600-year-old pyramids south of Cairo. These perfectly intact monuments contained unusual rounded corners rather than sharp points. The interior layout also proved unique, without internal chambers or passages typical of other Egyptian pyramids.

 

 Does the number of pyramids discovered increase over time?

Yes, the number has grown substantially in recent decades alone thanks to new technologies and dedicated archeology efforts. It took until 2008 to reach 118 pyramids, and then 20 more were found in the following decade. Expect that trend to continue as exploration expands into new regions. 

 

 Who built the oldest of the small pyramids?

The Pyramid of Djoser is one of the first pyramids ever built around 2630 BCE. Constructed under Djoser, the second king of Egypt's Third Dynasty, this structure towers 200 feet using innovative architecture for the period.

 

 What small pyramids are not open to the public?

The majority of small pyramids are not open to visitors, unlike the famous pyramids which function more as museums and cultural sites. Reasons include remote locations far from tourism destinations as well as active excavation and study by researchers who control access.

 

 How many small pyramids had writing found inside?

Only around a dozen small pyramids have confirmed writings inside on walls or artifacts. These include the pyramids of Unas, Pepi I, Merenre I, and Qakare Iarned. Writings provide invaluable cultural and religious history unavailable elsewhere since looting remains common in ancient sites. 

 

 Which best-preserved pyramids are closed to the public?

Some well-preserved small pyramids with intricate passageways have restricted access to all external visitors currently. These include the Black Pyramid of Amenemhat III and much of the Mazghuna Pyramid complex. The sites remain too delicate or dangerous for tourists today.