Standing since the times of ancient Egypt, the Pyramids serve to remind us of the ingenousness of our ancestors. The magnficence of pyramids such as those in Giza, Saqqara, and Dashur, has to be seen to believed.

Scattered along the Nile River, the pyramids are some of the most recognizable symbols of ancient Egypt. The pyramids were designed as monuments to the pharaohs, showing their great power even in death. However, pyramids were built only over a short period of time in the country’s history and mainly in the area near the city of Cairo.

Modern visitors find the pyramids intriguing and also perplexing. The triangle-like structures are built of huge blocks of stone likely cut from quarries some distance away, covered with a hard outer layer which helped protect the softer stone underneath. The inner chambers are now empty but it is likely that they once held not only the pharaohs’ bodies, but also jewels, statues, and other valuable objects hidden beneath the massive stone structures.

Experts believe that one of the earliest examples still in existence is the Step Pyramid in Saqqara, commissioned by the Pharaoh Djoser of Egypt’s Old Kingdom in about 2600 B.C, just outside the current city of Cairo. The six levels of the pyramid decrease in size closer to the top, giving the impression of a series of steps. Although the years have passed since it construction, it continues to stand.

two of the most interesting pyramids are in Dashur, south of Cairo. Researh ahas revealed that the Red and Bent Pyramids, built for the pharaoh Snefru, are precursors of the more famous Giza structures. The Red Pyramid is known not only for the colored stone, but also for being the first of the true pyramids in Egypt, built with straight sides. Its massive size and impressive construction stand out in the flat desert surrounding the pyramid complex.

The Bent Pyramid, only a short walk from the Red Pyramid, is one of the most unique pyramid. The giant structure bends like a rhombus halfway up, changing from a 54 degree angle to 43 degrees. Whether the alteration was the result of a mistake in calculations or part of a new design is still a mystery.

Even more famous than the structures in Saqqara and Dashur are the pyramids of Giza. The largest is the Great Pyramid, built by Khufu.The Great Pyramid is the largest of these structures still standing. Two somewhat smaller pyramids stand nearby, built by Khafre and Menkaura, as well as several smaller structures for Khufu’s wives. The Sphinx, a huge statue with a man’s head and a lion’s paws, is also part of the funerary complex. Although badly decayed, the sphinx is still a remarkable sight.

The pyramids of Giza, Saqqara, and Dashur offer an excellent lesson in history. So take your kids along if you are planning to head to Egypt.