Riddle of the Pyramids

By Kurt Mendelssohn

Book Overview

No Synopsis Available.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0500050155
• ISBN13: 9780500050156
• Release Date: January 1986
• Publisher: W W Norton & Co Inc
• Length: 224 Pages
• Weight: 1.70 lbs.

Customer Reviews

The evolution of pyramid building and their purpose

The author takes a reasoned and well researched approach to the enigma of the pyramids. We follow the evolution of buiding techniques begining with small mastaba tombs, to the magnificence of the Great Pyramid. The purpose of the pyramids was moreover, a method of organizing the people and establishing a common goal. The resultant civilization that evolved around the pyramids was due to the organizational and logistical skills of the ruling class. After the IV Dynasty, without strong leadership, Egypt descends into the First Intermediate Period, with widespread chaos and lack of leadership. The Great Age of the Pyramids is over...although they are built by succeeding Pharoahs for yet another millenia, they pale in comparison to the originals.

The building of the great pyramids as a way to build Egypt

A physician tries to pay back a debt: he could graduate (1933) thanks to a smart "redirection" of money from archaeology to physics in his university. He analyzes the whole process of the building of the great pyramids in Giza, Dashur and, above all, Meidum, to demonstrate several facts. Among them: 1. Ancient Egyptian did not wait for a pyramid to be completed to start the next one 2. The IV dinasty pharaos used this activity to unifiy a tribe-organized Egypt to a powerful big nation. I won't tell you the whole story: you'll discover it. (sorry for my english: I'm italian!)