as a lack of inscriptions and funerary features or
offering rooms typical of tombs. The pyramids
also have many empty rooms; no evidence of
human remains has ever been found in most of
them. Last, the narrowness of the passageways
for the manipulation of stone chests makes it
absolutely plausible.
For the sake of a chronological timeline, the 1st
and 2nd dynasties of ancient Kemetians did not
build pyramids; they built mastabas, mud-brick
benchlike tombs that were/are edifices with cham-
bers underneath used for burial purposes.
Pyramid building was actually introduced follow-
ing the previous two periods during the 3rd
dynasty. The first ever pyramid built was that of
King Djoser (also pronounced Zoser), built by
his vizier, Imhotep. The Saqquara burial ground is
the home of the first pyramid.
There are a total of 10 pyramids that are built
of limestone located within a 50-mile radius of
one another. Early pyramids were built of lime-
stone, and later during the 5th dynasty, the pyra-
mids were built of lesser materials and considered
less than genuine because of their quality and con-
struction. During the third dynasty, of the 10
pyramids built, the first pyramid built by Djoser
(2630–2611 BC) was indeed built as a tomb.
Djoser’s pyramid is also at the center of the nine
pyramids, the number 9 alluding to the Ennead,
the nine neteru or gods or cosmic forces that
Kemetians held in such high regard. The second
pyramid was built by Sekhemket (2611–2603) in
Saqqara, one of the necropoli, followed by Kha-ba
(2603–2599 BC) at Zel Aryan. Sekhemket’s pyra-
mid bears no sign of its owner, no inscriptions or
other details that reveal its identity. As with most
pyramids, underground chambers and/or shafts
further reveal the intellectual aptitude of the
ancient Egyptians, especially as it relates to math
and architecture. The underground passageways
serve as bridges and gateways between pyramids.
The last of the pyramids built during the 3rd
dynasty was attributed to Huni (2599–2575), yet
little is known and documented about its loca-
tion and details.
The first of the 4th-dynasty pyramids was that
of Seneferu (2575–2551), known as the best
pyramid builder of this dynasty, the first being
located in Meduim and the later in Dahshur, also
known as the “Bent Pyramid.” Seneferu made a
third attempt at pyramid building, known as the
Red Pyramid, also located in Dahshur. Thereafter,
his son, Khufu (2551–2528), built the largest of
all pyramids at Giza, followed by his son,
Djedefre/Gedefra (2528–2520 BC), at Abu
Roash/Rawash, which remained unfinished. The
ninth pyramid was built by Khafra (2520–2494),
and the final pyramid of this era was built by
Menkaura (2494–2472), both of which were
located at Giza. The pyramids of Khufu, Khafre,
and Menkaure are the most popular and glamor-
ized of all pyramids mainly because of their loca-
tion and the driving force of tourism. Khufu’s
pyramid is known as the largest of all, the Great
Pyramid, and marked a transformation in pyra-
mid building, initiated by his father Seneferu,
from stairway to straight-sided, and announced
the golden age of the pyramids. The Great
Pyramid is internally made up of five compo-
nents, the ascending passage, grand gallery, king’s
room, queen’s room, and subterranean room,
all of which serve a purpose during the process
of initiation.Elizabeth AndradeSeealsoBurial of the Dead; Kings; QueensFurther Readings
Gadalla, M. (2000).Pyramid Handbook. Greensboro,
NC: Tehuti Research Foundation.
Gahlin, L. (2002).Egyptian Religion. London:
Southwater Anness.
Hancock, G. (1995).Fingerprints of the Gods.
New York: Crown.
Melchizedek, D. (1990).The Ancient Secret of the
Flower of Life(Vols. 1 & 2). Flagstaff, AZ: Light
Technology.PYTHONS
Pythons are sacred and deified snakes that are
worshiped according to specific rituals in many
parts of Africa. Called Dangbéin Fongbe, the
language of the Fon people of the Benin Republic,552 Pythons