A Pyramid Builder in Egypt (2450 B.C.) Quiz

Answer: Memphis

The capital city of the Old Kingdom, the age of the pyramids, was later called Memphis by the Greeks. Built close to where the Nile starts to divide into the delta, pharaoh Menes he ordered high walls to be build, much like dykes, to keep the city dry. That is why the ancient name for the city meant The White Walls.

The Giza plateau in the western desert lay some way north of Memphis and was probably chosen for its prominent position and availability of on-site building materials. In our own time, Giza is almost being engulfed by Cairo.

Answer: 43 degrees

The uniquely shaped pyramid at Dashur was originally called 'The Southern Shining Pyramid' when built c. 2550 BC. Modern names for it are Blunted, Bent or Rhomboidal. The pharaoh Sneferu had another go at a pyramid, constructing 'The Shining Pyramid' two kilometres to the north. Employing 43 degrees from the start, it ended up looking like a real pyramid.

It is known as The Red Pyramid because of the pinkish limestone used to construct it.

Answer: Orion

Ancient astronomers were very accurate in orientating sacred structures. Wooden stakes were driven into the ground to indicate the four cardinal points, whereafter the pharaoh performed a ceremony known as 'Stretching the Cord' under the guidance of the goddess Seshat. A number of amulets were then buried on the terrain and building could begin.

Answer: 2. 5 tons

Although it is impossible to see inside a pyramid to calculate how much bedrock and filling were used, it has been calculated that the huge pyramids at Giza used around 2,3 million limestone blocks, the average weight being 2,5 tons. Some blocks were much heavier. Some of the limestone was quarried right from the bedrock on the plateau, considerably cutting down on cost and transport.

Answer: Nautical

Because the Nile waterway served as primary transport, boating was an essential skill. Work gangs were organised into Starboard, Port, Prow, Stern and Good, making up smaller manageable sections within the work gang.

Answer: Paying off taxes

The Hollywood image of thousands of slaves under the burning desert sun is historically unsound. Egyptian peasants built the pyramids and were treated humanely. They may also have considered it a form of worship. It is estimated that about 5000 artisans, architects, masons and hauliers were backed up by 20,000 farmers who served three months at a time as a means of taxation.

Answer: Honey

Sugar was unknown but honey was used as sweetener. Egyptians ate a lot of fish. During the Old Kingdom, chickens were unknown. Instead, goose was a firm favourite. Bread was a staple food. Meat was cooked in olive oil, flavoured with garlic and cumin.

Answer: This side up

Builders' graffiti, usually in red demotic script were written on the stones and one of the most common instructions was: 'This side up'. The quarry workers did not always cut equal sized blocks but were instructed to produce shaped blocks to fit into special spaces.

Answer: 15 metres

The Egyptians saw the giant sculpture as an image of the god Horus-in-the-Horizon but when the Greeks came to Egypt, they coined the term sphinx, meaning strangler. The Sphinx at Giza has a lion's body and a human head, wearing a headdress. At some time in history it also had a beard attached to its chin. Its entire length is 45 metres and it rears 20 metres into the sky.

Answer: Cedar

In 1954 such a boat was discovered next to the Cheops pyramid. It was disassembled into 1224 pieces. Rebuilt, it is 43 metres in length with an upturned prow and ten pairs of oars. The boat is held together with ropes and wooden pegs. No metal was used. The boat is displayed in its own museum next to the pyramid.