The Sneferu, Khufu and the True Pyramid produced Egypt’s most famous buildings. A pyramid, though, was never meant to stand alone. Growing from the Mastaba Tombs, it became the center of a whole complex of temples.
Key idea
A pyramid stood in a complex: a valley temple by the river, a covered causeway, and a mortuary temple against the pyramid, with smaller pyramids and boat pits around it.
- Valley temple: at the edge of the flood plain, reached by boat along a canal. The body may have been received here.
- Causeway: a covered, often decorated corridor climbing to the desert plateau.
- Mortuary temple: against the east side of the pyramid, where daily offerings for the king were made.
- Pyramid: the tomb, with its entrance usually on the north side.
- Around it: queens’ pyramids, a small satellite pyramid, boat pits and an enclosure wall, with officials’ mastabas nearby.
Why it works
The complex followed the path of the king’s cult. Boats brought people and goods from the river to the valley temple; the causeway led up to the mortuary temple, where priests served the king’s ka forever; the pyramid held his body and joined him to the sky and the sun. The pyramid’s shape may recall the benben and the sun’s rays, as you saw in The First Mound, though Egyptians did not write down one explanation.
Worked example: Following the path
Put these in order from the river: mortuary temple, causeway, pyramid, valley temple.
- Start at the river: the valley temple.
- Climb the causeway.
- Reach the mortuary temple, then the pyramid.
Answer: Valley temple, causeway, mortuary temple, pyramid.
Worked example: Which is taller?
From the ground, Khafre’s pyramid looks taller than Khufu’s. Is it?
- Khufu’s was about 146.6 m tall when built; Khafre’s about 143.5 m.
- Khafre’s stands on higher ground and keeps some casing near the top.
- So it only looks taller.
Answer: No: Khufu’s was taller.
Common mistake
Picturing pyramids standing alone in the sand. Each was the center of temples, a causeway and smaller pyramids. Quick check: look for the causeway running down toward the valley.