When most people mention Ancient Egypt the first thing that comes to mind are the Pyramids. To construct such monuments required a mastery of art, architecture and social organization that few cultures would ever rival. The pyramids are said to have built Egypt by being the primary force that knit together the kingdom's economy. Their creations were so substantial, that the sight of these vast pyramids would astound you. Today, the valley of the Nile has an open-air museum so people can witness these grand monuments. Obsessed with the afterlife, Egypt's rulers of 4,500 years ago glorified themselves in stone, thereby laying the foundation of the first great nation. A Pyramid is an enormous machine that helps the king go through the wall of the dead, achieve resurrection and live forever in the happiness of the gods. The start of the Old Kingdom is said to be the building of the Djoser's monument. The construction of Step Pyramid of Pharaoh Djoser began around 2630 BC and was designed to awe the ancient Egyptians, to impress them with their ruler's godlike strength. It was the world's first great construction project, and the world's largest building. Djoser, the second king of the 3rd dynasty, hired the skilled architect Imhoptep to construct the first tomb made completely of stone. Imhoptep is considered the prominent genius of the Old Kingdom. He assembled one workforce to quarry limestone at the cliff of Tura, across the Nile, another to haul the stone to the site where master carvers shaped each block and put it in place. The Step Pyramid is a terraced structure rising in six unequal stages to a height of 60 meters, its base measuring 120 meters by 108 meters. The substructure has a system of underground corridors and rooms. The main feature of the step pyramid is a central shaft that runs 25 meters deep and 8 meters wide. The step pyramid rises within a vast walled court which spreads 544 meters long and...
