Building the Pyramids
History · Ancient Egypt · conceptual
Understand how the pyramids were built: thousands of workers moved enormous stone blocks using ramps, rollers, and sledges, the work was organised by the pharaoh's officials, and the design evolved from flat-topped mastabas to step pyramids (like Djoser's) to the smooth-sided Great Pyramid — and know that later pharaohs were buried in hidden rock-cut tombs in the Valley of the Kings
What mastery looks like
- Describe at least two methods used to move and raise heavy stone blocks
- Explain that pyramid design changed over time from simple tombs to the Great Pyramid
- Explain why later pharaohs chose hidden tombs in the Valley of the Kings instead of pyramids
Check your understanding
If Building the Pyramids wonders how the Egyptians built the pyramids without modern machines, can they describe some of the methods used and explain how tomb design changed over time?