Scientists estimate that its stone blocks average over two tons apiece, with the largest weighing as much as fifteen tons each. It originally stood over 481 feet high today it is 450 feet high. The pyramid's base covered over 13 acres and its sides rose at an angle of 51 degrees 52 minutes and were over 755 feet long. The largest and most famous of all the pyramids, the Great Pyramid at Giza, was built by Snefru's son, Khufu, known also as Cheops, the later Greek form of his name. Another great pyramid was built at Dahshur with its sides rising at an angle of somewhat over 43 degrees, resulting in a true, but squat looking pyramid. The change in angle was probably made during construction to give the building more stability. About halfway up, however, the angle of incline decreases from over 51 degrees to about 43 degrees, and the sides rise less steeply, causing it to be known as the Bent Pyramid. Nearby at Bahshur, construction was begun on a pyramid apparently planned to have smooth sides. At Medum, a step pyramid was built, then filled in with stone, and covered with a limestone casing. The transition from the Step Pyramid to a true, smooth-sided pyramid took placed during the reign of King Snefru, founder of the Fourth Dynasty (2680–2560 BCE). Like later pyramids, it contains various rooms and passages, including the burial chamber of the king.

This Step Pyramid stands on the west bank of the Nile River at Sakkara near Memphis. Around 2780 BCE, King Djoser's architect, Imhotep, built the first pyramid by placing six mastabas, each smaller than the one beneath, in a stack to form a pyramid rising in steps. Tombs of early Egyptian kings were bench-shaped mounds called mastabas. The pyramids of Egypt fascinated travellers and conquerors in ancient times and continue to inspire wonder in the tourists, mathematicians, and archeologists who visit, explore, measure, and describe them.

Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives, African Art.

Vexx art pyrmid