Top 7 Oldest Pyramids In The World

When we talk about pyramids, most of you must be imagining the Giza Pyramid in Egypt that are rather popular and among one of the 7th wonders of the ancient world. But the truth is that a pyramid consists of one form of shape whether it is circular, cube or cone. 

Around the world, there are various forms of pyramids other than the Giza Pyramid with each of them serving different purposes. Despite the Giza Pyramid being the most popular, there are still plenty of pyramids that were built far earlier.

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Here we would like to share with you the top 7 oldest pyramids in the world that you can visit.

7. Pyramid of Khafre (2520 BC)

Pharoah Khafre followed his father's footsteps, Pharoah Khufu in building a tomb right next to the Great Khufu Pyramid as part of the Giza Pyramid complex(also called the Giza Necropolis).

Several other burial chambers were not completed connected by a pathway made from granite and alabaster. The Pyramid of Khafre has two split entrances. The first one will be at the surface while the other one is located 38 feet at the sides.

However, both entrances can be found on the northern sides of the pyramid.

6. Great Pyramid of Giza (2580 - 2560 BC)

Khufu or the Great Pyramid of Giza is the biggest pyramid in the world based on its height. It was built as a tomb for Pharoah Khufu in Egypt and it is perhaps the most popular pyramid on this list.

It is among one of the 7th wonders of the world that still stands today. The Pharoah Khufu Pyramid was the first Giza pyramid built and it was estimated to be comprised of 2.3 million blocks of rocks.

Despite this magnificent pyramid originally having a smooth white surface made from chalk, wear can be seen due to the weather which constantly damages the surface for hundreds of years.

5. Red Pyramid (2600 BC)

This tall pyramid was built by Pharoah Sneferu, the father of Pharoah Khufu and it was the second Sneferu Pyramid. The construction of the Red Pyramid is said to have started after the disappointment of Pharaoh Sneferu with the outcome of the Bent Pyramid.

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It also seems that the way both pyramids look alike supported this theory. The angle of inclination for the Red Pyramid is 43° which matches the angle that was fixed on top of the Bent Pyramid. The Red Pyramid was built somewhere around 2613 - 2589 BC.

4. Bent Pyramid (2600 BC)

The first pyramid that was built at Dahshur necropolis will be Bent Pyramid featuring a special structural design, unlike other pyramids. After the Pyramid of Pharoah Sneferu reached a certain height at 54°, the structure was said to have fallen under its own weight.

This pyramid was built in 2600 BC and the angle of the pyramid was then changed to allow it to fully complete safely. Bent Pyramid was said to have the best structure in Dahshur Necropolis which still remains intact.

It also retains most of the outside parts of the pyramid with a much smoother surface than other pyramids.

3. Pyramid of Meidum (2600 BC)

The Pyramid of Meidum which is now known as the fallen pyramid or "el-haram el-kaddab(translates to false pyramid in Arabic) was believed to be the second Egyptian pyramid built after the Djoser Pyramid.

This pyramid was known by several other names for many years due to numerous changes in its structural integrity. Reaching the 15th century, part of the pyramid that remains today is what's left of the pyramid.

Despite many archeologists being unsure of who exactly started the construction, they think that it may started by Pharoah Huni and finally completed by Pharoah Sneferu.

2. Caral Pyramids (2627 BC)

Caral was first discovered in 1948 but it caught the archaeologists' attention in the 1970s as they realized the natural mountain in the area was actually a tiered pyramid. After that, this site was dug and studied thoroughly until it was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2009.

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Caral is the capital city of Norte Chico and a metropolis with a complex agricultural system, temple, amphitheater, plaza, residence, and six main pyramid structures.

1. Pyramid of Djoser  (2667 - 2648 BC)

The Pyramid of Djoser was the first Egyptian pyramid to be built and despite various claims that other old pyramids were found recently, it still holds the official title of the oldest pyramid in the world.

The Pyramid was built by Djoser, the first king of the third dynasty in Egypt, and Imhotep, Djoser's advisor. Imhotep wanted to build a huge tomb for his king and decided to arrange what's called mastabas, a structure with a flat roof and leaning sides on top of one another.

This will create the first structured pyramid. This pyramid is a complex center comprised of chalk walls, temples, and the statue of King Djoser.

Source:

• Iluminasi

• Wikipedia

• Historyplex

Also read: Top 5 Oldest Library In The World