Before the first pyramids there were bench like tombs called mastabas, a word meaning bench. These were usually built out of mud like brick that they dried and hardened in the sun. Building them out of mud bricks were a problem because eventually they would crack and crumble. Since lots  of these mastabas fell apart over time, people who could afford it started to use stone bricks. Stone mastabas led to the appearance of of the first stone pyramid-tomb eventually leading to the first step pyramids. These mastabas were built around 2700 BC. built by the pharaoh Djoser at Sakkara, which was the first of the three types of pyramids. At the beginning of the old kingdom workers started building and all stone mastaba for the pharaoh Djoser at Sakkara near Memphis. There were lots of changes and enlargements made before it was finished. They ended up with something that looked like six mastabas stacked on top of each other in layers, each one smaller then the one under it. This would form the worlds first pyramid called  the Step pyramid. 

               Picture of mastabas and a step pyramid.

[ Discussions | TOC | Search | Post ]

Table of Contents

 A pharaoh filled in the notches of a pyramid steps at Meidun, which is located several miles south of Sakkara. This is considered the first smooth sided or true pyramid. The first ruler of the 4th dynasty, Seneferu, built a lot of pyramids in his time but the most famous of them all was the Bent pyramid at Dahshur, located between Sakkara and Meidun. It appears to be bent because the builders suddenly reduced the steepness of the sides when they were about half way done. The reason for the sudden change is unknown but some scholars think that Seneferu may have died during the construction so they had to finish it as soon as possible. 

Bent Pyramid