Pyramids, Camel Rides, and ANCIENT Egypt

Egypt has such a LONG history. Around Cairo, we visited sites at Memphis and Giza from the Old Kingdom. The Old Kingdom began around 3100 BC.

Memphis and Saqqara

Memphis, capital of Egypt’s Old Kingdom, was founded around 3100 BC by King Menes after the unification of Upper and Lower Egypt. Though the capital was later moved to Thebes, Memphis remained an important city for 3000 years. Herodotus described it in the 5th century BC as “a prosperous city and cosmopolitan center.” But it was abandoned in the 7th century during the first Arab invasions and there is little remaining of the ancient city today. The Mit Rahina outdoor museum contains some a smaller sphinx and some statues and a massive statue of Ramses II is housed nearby.

Saqqara, a 7 kilometer area of in the desert near Memphis, served as the city’s cemetery for more than 3500 years. Colonnade entrance to the Step Pyramid consists of 40 original columns each in the shape of a bundle of papyrus or palm stems.

The Step Pyramid of Zoser is the world’s oldest major stone structure, built in the 3rd Dynasty around 2630 BC.  The pyramid was designed by the architect Imhotep. Imhotep was later deified, ancient recognition of his accomplishment of moving design from the previous mastaba tombs to pyramids constructed from cut stone. The Step Pyramid is surrounded by a sprawling 15 hectare funeral complex enclosed by 1645 meter long wall. 

There are numerous pyramids around the region, but the other big ones we saw were the Bent Pyramid and the Red Pyramid of Dashur, 10 kilometers from Saqqara. The Red Pyramid was the first true pyramid, built by Pharoah Sneferu 2613-2589 BC. Below is a view of the Bent and Red Pyramid from Saqqara. 

Great Pyramid of Khufu (Cheops), Chephren, and Mykerinus

The Great Pyramid of Khufu (Cheops) was built in 2570 BC from about 2.3 million stone blocks each one weighing around 2.5 tons. It has lost 9 meters of its height since it was constructed 4500 years ago, but still stands 137 meters high. In the picture above it is on the far right. Though it appears smaller because it sits on low ground, it is the highest of the three. Chephren Pyramid stands 136 meters high, Mykerinus, 62 meters high.

There were very few people at the pyramids and the other tourist sites in Egypt. We never had to wait in line and some of the places seemed strangely empty. Even though we didn’t arrive particularly early, we bought three of the 300 daily tickets to climb/crawl inside the biggest pyramid to see Great Gallery. There wasn't much there, but the nearly vertical climb through a passageway 1.3 meters high, 1 meter wide was an experience. 

Mom and I riding camels in from of the Great Pyramid of Cheops, Chephren, Mykerinus

The Sphinx

Named the Sphinx by the ancient Greeks for its resemblance to a mythical winged monster with a woman’s head and lion’s body who set riddles and killed anyone unable to answer them. In Arabic, it is known as Abu al-Hol (Father of Terror). Part of its beard was taken in the 19th century and is now on display in the British Museum in London. Arab travelers hammered off part of its nose between the 11th and 15th centuries.

Nile dinner cruise with belly dancer and twirler. Though it was a little cheesy, it was definitely worthwhile especially to see the Sufi zikr dance. The zikr, which literally means “remembrance,” was at least 20 minutes of constant spinning and dancing.