Tales of the Pyramid Trivia Quiz

Answer: Old Kingdom

The Old Kingdom, also called the Pyramid Age, is marked by a dramatic change in architectural style as the ancient Egyptians embarked on massive building projects. Although pyramid building originated with the Egyptian third dynasty in the 2600s BC, it was during the fourth dynasty that pyramid building is considered to have reached its zenith. Sneferu built three pyramids including the Bent Pyramid at Dahshur; his son, Khufu, grandson, Khafre, and great-grandson, Menkaure, put the Gizeh plateau on the map. Pyramid building ended in approximately 1790 BC during the Middle Kingdom. Sources differ on the number of known pyramids constructed in Egypt; sources estimate anywhere from 80 to 138.

Answer: Djoser

Djoser, or Zoser, was the son of Khasekhemwy and Nimaethap. Sources vary on the number of years he reigned over Egypt. However, it is known that he sponsored expeditions to the Sinai Peninsula, where the Egyptians acquired copper and turquoise. In addition, he may have expanded the empire south to the first cataract of the Nile. Of course, his biggest claim to fame was providing for the building of the step pyramid.

The statue of Djoser in the picture, located today at the Cairo Museum, is the oldest known life-size Egyptian statue.

Answer: Imhotep

Imhotep was the pharaoh's vizier, or highest adviser. Considered to be the earliest architect known by name, Imhotep was also an engineer, physician, and high priest of Ra. After his death, Imhotep was worshipped as the deity of healing and medicine. Although it has never been uncovered, it is believed that Imhotep build his own funeral complex in close proximity to the step pyramid.

Answer: Mastaba

Predynastic Egyptians were buried in the sand, a practice that was continued for centuries by commoners who could not afford any other type of burial. The sand produced natural mummies, corresponding with a belief which was central to the Egyptian belief in the afterlife, but did not provide adequate protection for the body. Wealthy Egyptians needed another plan.

They began to build mastabas to serve as tombs, which not only protected the body from grave robbers, but also from animals like jackals that would unearth the body. Mastabas, however, were not the final solution to the problem. Natural mummification did not take place there as the body did not make contact with the dry, hot sand, and many times the body decayed.

Although some continued to use mastabas as tombs for many centuries, it would not do as the final resting place of the divine pharaoh.

Other forms of mummification needed to be devised, and new burial sites had to be found. The step pyramid was built in six stages, and may well have been a totally experimental building prototype.

When completed it was 62 meters (203 feet) tall, with a base that measured 109 m × 125 m (358 ft × 410 ft).

Answer: Limestone

The completed structure must have been a sight to behold! Imagine how the white polished limestone must have shined with the desert sun glaring down on it! It is believed the limestone was quarried on site as a great trench was constructed around the complex that measured 750 m long and 40 m wide. The purpose of the trench? To make entry into the complex more difficult.

Answer: Saqqara

Saqqara, also spelled Sakkara or Saccara, was the necropolis for the ancient Egyptian capital of Memphis. Archaeologists have found many mastabas and pyramids there. The earliest tombs located there belong to pharaohs of the second dynasty. While later pharaohs choose other sites as their resting places, many nobles continued to have tombs constructed at Saqqara.

Answer: Karnak Lake

Outside the enclosure wall of the complex is a huge trench, presumably made to make it more difficult to enter the complex. The next structure, called the Enclosure Wall, is a limestone wall that is 10.5m high. A roofed colonnade led to the area called the South Court, which some believe was used as a sort of territorial marker that allowed the pharaoh to claim control over all of Egypt. South of the South Court is the South Tomb.

This may have been constructed to house the "ka" (soul or spirit) in the afterlife, or perhaps to hold the canopic jars buried with a mummy.

There is also quite a labyrinth of passages under the step pyramid, as well as the North Temple, used as a mortuary temple, the Serdab Court, from which the "ka" of the pharaoh could watch ceremonies, and the Heb-sed Court, where the ceremony that celebrated the rule of the pharaoh was performed. Altogether, the complex covered approximately 40 acres.

Answer: True

Had the ancients planned to just build a mastaba, or did they have something else in mind? This question has been a matter of debate for years; many archaeologists now believe that the plan all along was to build something more than a mastaba. While mastabas are rectangular, the understructure of the step pyramid is square.

There is evidence, however, that the architect did make some design changes during construction. The square understructure went through at least two revisions to make it rectangular.

Answer: False

Beneath the step pyramid there is a maze of tunnels; even so, the burial chamber of the pharaoh was found empty, although a mummified left foot was discovered. Did it belong to the pharaoh? Radiocarbon dating suggests that the foot belonged to a person who lived years after the king.

It does appear that other members of the royal family were also buried in the complex; Zahi Hawass, an Egyptian aracheologist, has said that eleven of the king's daughters were buried there.

Answer: Jean-Philipe Lauer

A French archaeologist, at one time Jean-Philipe Lauer was considered to be the foremost expert on pyramid construction. He worked on projects around the step pyramid complex for seventy-five years. Nicknamed "the forgotten of God" by the Egyptian workers, he was still working at the site when he was ninety years old!