The Great Pyramids Many people may wonder what the Great Pyramids are and why they are around. They are simply large stones that weigh tons and form a triangle. They are also thought to have been a tomb for the pharaoh when he died. People thought that the pyramids would help the pharaoh pass to the afterlife. (Putnam 28)These pyramids are found in Egypt. They were built between 3100 and 2686 BC. The people were also sailors, so they were smarter than many people give them credit for. They have remained standing for centuries even during numerous sandstorms. So when they were built they were built well. (Kallen 12) The main reason why the pyramids go with the culture is because the pharaoh. He forced them to build the pyramids. After they were built, people simply left them standing. It is said that Pharaoh had them built for the purpose of obtaining the afterlife. Like most people, he wanted to live forever, so he had slaves build them for him. He wasn't the only one, however, said to have a tomb in the pyramids. There is a king's chamber, a large gallery, a queen's chamber and an escape shaft for the workers who placed the granite plugs. At that moment he wasn't as selfish as most people might think. If anything he was trying to help himself and the people around gain eternal life. He thought it was a direct road to the sun god Osiris. (Putnam 23)The treasures that helped him pass into the afterlife could not be buried. Gold and rubies were very important to the rituals that people had to follow to help them move on to the next life. On the gold there were images of the gods. On the ring was the head of the lion, who was a god called Apedemak. At the top was a row of king cobras ready to pose... in the center of the card... the hieroglyphics were also thought to be some kind of magic that could guarantee that whatever was carved would definitely end up happening. They thought that Pharaoh had to be mean to the gods in order to enter heaven. To do this, however, they thought he had to get on the boat where he had been buried in his previous life. This boat was directed by the one who looks behind him. Works Cited “Building the Great Pyramids of Cheops.” Science and Its Times Ed. Neil Schlager and Josh Lauer. vol. 1. Detroit: Gale, 2001. Student Resources in Context. Network. 6 November 2013Werner, Edoardo. Journal of the Library of the Pharaohs and the Pyramids 1 1 September. "Fourth Dynasty and History". Arts and Humanities Through the Ages Ed. Edward I.Bleiberg et al vol.IKallen, Stuart. Pyramids. San Diego: Thomson Gale, 2006. “The Pyramids of Giza.” World book encyclopedia. 2006ed.