Some misconceptions about the pyramids.

The pyramids of Egypt have attracted much speculation and there are many misconceptions about their building and function.

The pyramids are not the first stone structures made by humans.

The first pyramid was built around the time of Djoser (c2667-2648 BC). megalithic chambered tombs in Wales date to a thousand or so years before this.

The pyramids were not built by slaves.

Citizens were paid for the work which was largely done in periods when little work was needed on the land.

The pyramids are not associated with human sacrifice.

There is no evidence that the Egyptians ever sacrificed people. It has been said that the large numbers of partial human remains around graves in the early Dynastic period is evidence of sacrifice, but such remains could have been gathered up and buried long after death.

There is no evidence that the Egyptians colonised central America and taught Indians to build pyramids. Central American pyramids are for a completely different function than Egyptian ones. They are ceremonial on the outside and were not primarily funerary structures.

The evidence that the pyramids at Giza are aligned with Orion's belt is at best shaky. The match is not perfect. In addition it is said that shafts in the Great Pyramid were aligned on certain stars. They may have been but with 75 years difference between them! Besides which the shafts are not straight but bent.

Further Reading

There are a great number of other unusual ideas about pyramids, for example that they were built by aliens or that they keep razor blades sharp.

If you are interested in reading about why so many myths have come to surround the pyramids you might like to read The Stargate Conspiracy by Lynn Picknett and Clive Prince (1999. Little, Brown and Company). There is also a web page devoted to debunking pyramid and other pseudo-archaeological myths at http://www.ramtops.demon.co.uk

For accurate information on pyramids Mark Lehner's book The Complete Pyramids (1998. Thames and Hudson) is a useful introduction and IES Edwards The Pyramids of Egypt (1993 reprint. Penguin paperback) is good. We also sell a short introduction in the Egypt Centre called Egyptian Pyramids and Mastaba Tombs by Philip Watson. This is only £4.99.