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Mystery Of The Egyptian Pyramids Most people tend to associate pyramids with the great Old Kingdom pyramids at Giza. The truly gigantic stone pyramids were actually built over the course of three generations: Snefru, his son Khufu and his grandson Khafre. However, Egypt has over 90 royal pyramids which span a period of a thousand years, plus over 180 pyramids which were built in Nubia over the course of another thousand years.   The primal archetype of the Egyptian obelisk and pyramid was the sacred Ben-Ben stone in the temple of Heliopolis, the oldest centre of the sun cult. The original stone at Helipolis, symbolising the primeval mound, was believed to have been the point at which the rays of the rising sun first fell. The gilded capstone of the pyramid, which would sit at the apex, or the tip of an obelisk was known as a ben-benet. Old Kingdom Pyramid complexes The Step Pyramid of Djoser at Saqqara - 3rd Dynasty. The first pyramid funerary complex designed and built by Imhotep. Developed initially from the earlier rectangular mastaba tombs, the step pyramid was gradually extended and elaborated until it became a superstructure. The Lost Pyramid of Sekhemkhet at Saqqara - 3rd Dynasty. This unfinished pyramid complex is the largest of a series of "lost" pyramids. Discovered in 1952, the underground portions of this pyramid complex have yet to be fully cleared. The unfinished complex bears a close resemblance to that of Djoser's Step Pyramid, both in layout and design. The Pyramid of Meidum - (late 3rd) 4th Dynasty. Originally thought to be built by Huni, the last king of the 3rd Dynasty, but now considered to be the work of his son-in-law Snefru. Intended to be geometrically true - loose stones were added to the steps before the pyramid was encased in limestone which eventually collapsed, revealing the original stepped core of the superstructure.  The Pyramids of Snefru - 4th Dynasty. [1] The Bent Pyramid of Dahshur. Probably the first pyramid to be conceived as a "true" pyramid from the onset. This pyramid owes its characteristic bend due to the marked change of angle part way up the profile, from 54o 27' in the lower part, to 43o 22' in the upper part. The explanation for the shape of this pyramid has been much argued. [2] The Red Pyramid of Dahshur. The first successful "true" pyramid of Snefru was constructed with a constant angle of 43o 22' throughout. The Red pyramid (or northern pyramid) was known as "Snefru appears in glory". It was probably in this northern pyramid that Snefru was buried. With such resources available to him, Snefru was able to leave a strong inheritance to his son Khufu.  Pyramids of Giza - 4th Dynasty. Snefru's son Khufu took his father's achievements to the very apogee of pyramid building by the construction of the Great Pyramid complex at Giza, the largest surviving pyramid. It stands alongside the smaller pyramids of Khafre and Menkaura, and the three pyramids of Khufu's queens. The Pyramids of Abusir - 5th Dynasty. Abusir, a short distance north from Saqqara is a necropolis consisting of several 5th Dynasty pyramids as well as a sun temple and a number of mastaba tombs. Userkaf, founder of the 5th Dynasty and at least four of his successors built monuments here. Originally fourteen pyramids on the site, now only four remain standing. The Pyramid of Neferirkara at Abusir - 5th Dynasty. Unfinished and in poor condition, this pyramid complex is best known for the large amount of papyri found in the mortuary temple, which provided valuable evidence regarding the organisation of royal funerary cults in the Old Kingdom. The unfinished pyramid of Raneferef at Abusir - 5th Dynasty. Probably because he died young, his pyramid had not progressed beyond the lower levels, and was converted into a mastaba type tomb. Recent excavations have unearthed interesting finds and a hoard of papyri which are still being studied. The Pyramid of Unas at Saqqara - Late 5th Dynasty. The last ruler of the 5th Dynasty Unas seems to have been the first to inscribe the pyramid texts on the internal walls of his pyramid. The standard of workmanship in pyramid building declined along with the political and economic structure of the Old Kingdom. the sphinx One of the most profound mysteries relating to the ancient world of Egypt regards why was the sphinx made. No one seems to be quite sure why this great statue was constructed, however; theories abound. It is believed to have most likely been constructed during the Fourth Dynasty. Located in the same proximity as King Khufu's Great pyramid, many scholars have hypothesized that the Sphinx was constructed in order to guard the great pyramid. The real reason is not known and due to the Sphinx's rapid rate of deterioration; its secrets may never be uncovered.