The pyramids must have looked impressive when they were first finished. They were covered with a patina (or layer) of limestone, a white stone that was dazzling in the sun. Historians believe that the pyramids were designed by master craftsmen.
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What Were the Pyramids For?
To the Egyptians, the pyramids were not just monuments, they were doorways to the afterlife that safely led the pharaoh from this world to the next. After a pharaoh had died and was buried inside a pyramid, he could travel up through the pyramid to reach the afterlife. The ancient Egyptians also believed that once the pharaoh did this, he would become a god and help them reach the afterlife, too.
Click on the left to watch the video and learn more about why the pyramids were built. After watching the video, answer the question below.
Why do historians think the pharaoh got the biggest tomb of all?