Egyptian Pyramids and Tombs - Pit Graves All ancient Egyptians, rich and the poor, were first buried in shallow pit graves that were were situated in the desert. These developed into memorial tombs and with the introduction of building, using mud bricks, they developed into single story mastaba tombs. Egyptian Pyramids and Tombs - Mastaba Tombs The Mastaba style of tombs were a structure made from mudbricks with a rectangular base and sloping sides with a flat roof. A mastaba style of ancient Egyptian tomb consisted of an underground burial chamber with rooms above it, at ground level, in which offerings were stored. Egyptian Pyramids and Tombs - Djoser Step Pyramid at Saqqara The Djoser Step Pyramid at Saqqara was the first pyramid constructed in ancient Egypt and is recognized as the first monumental stone structure. It was the prototype of all pyramids and initially started as a one storey mastaba tomb to which tiers or 'steps' were added by the famous architect Imhotep. Egyptian Pyramids and Tombs - The 'Hidden Pyramid' of Sekhemkhet The 'Hidden Pyramid' of Sekhemkhet was the second pyramid was built southwest of Djoser's pyramid at Saqqara. It included a pyramid, a subterranean structure and a necropolis complex. Egyptian Pyramids and Tombs - The 'Layer Pyramid' of Khaba The 'Layer Pyramid' of Khaba was the third pyramid that was built in Zaqiyet al-Aryan, about 7km north of Saqqara. The "Layer" description was because of the manner in which it was built. Thick, leaning layers of stone were laid against a core, with sloping courses. Egyptian Pyramids and Tombs - The 'Meidum Pyramid' of Huni - First True Pyramid The design of this great monument was 'stepped' or tiered but it was covered with one uniform slope of masonry making it the first true pyramid in ancient Egypt. The Pyramids of Giza |