The Egyptian civilization and culture are represented by Egyptian pyramids. Egyptians are proud of these world- renowned structures. Pyramids were built by ancient Egyptians to serve as tombs for their queens and pharaohs. During the Dynastic period’s early years of Egyptian history, dead people were buried in mastabas, rectangular structures with flat roofs and sides sloping outward. It is said that Architect Imhotep was the one who conceptualized stacked mastabas to create a pyramidal building. From this brilliant idea came Djoser’s Step Pyramid. This building was designed during the twenty-seventh century B.C. for Pharaoh Djoser. Egyptians believed then that this structure would serve as the channel through which the soul of the Pharaoh would go to the heaven.

The Step Pyramid of Djoser was the first gigantic pyramid ever built. As time went by, more pyramids came into existence in Egypt. Most of them were constructed during the periods of Old and Middle Kingdoms. All of the pyramids of Egypt were built on Nile River’s west bank. This is due to the fact that the sun sets to the west, which was associated with death. Pyramids are considered as burial monuments. Their shape indicates the primeval mound which is believed to have been the point of origin of the Earth.

The shape of Egyptian pyramids also symbolizes the sun’s rays. Oftentimes, the Egyptians named their pyramids in reference with the sunlight. A particular theory states that the pyramids of Egypt give a way of resurrection. It is believed that a shaft which projects out of the funeral chamber directed to the sky is a channel through which the soul of the dead pharaoh travels from the land to the heavens. The pyramids were called by ancient Egyptians “mer” which means “Egypt itself”. This fact mirrors the intimate relationship of Egyptian culture and the pyramids.