The Day the Pyramids Were Built
For thousands of years, people have wondered how the ancient Egyptians built the pyramids. The most famous pyramids are in Giza, near the city of Cairo in Egypt. Workers built the Great Pyramid of Giza about 4,500 years ago. It was the tallest building in the world for a very long time. Historians believe around 20,000 workers helped to build it. They used simple tools made of copper and stone. They moved huge blocks of rock on wooden sledges and ramps. The work was very hard, but the workers were not slaves — they were paid and received food and medical care.
The pyramids were built as tombs for the pharaohs, the kings of ancient Egypt. Egyptians believed that after death, a king would travel to another world. The pyramid protected the king's body on this journey. Inside the pyramids, workers placed gold, food, and other objects for the king to use in the next life. Today, millions of tourists visit the pyramids every year. These amazing buildings tell us a great deal about a very old and powerful civilisation.
