History // Ancient Egypt

Building the Pyramids

Understand how the pyramids were built: thousands of workers moved enormous stone blocks using ramps, rollers, and sledges, the work was organised by the pharaoh's officials, and the design evolved from flat-topped mastabas to step pyramids (like Djoser's) to the smooth-sided Great Pyramid — and know that later pharaohs were buried in hidden rock-cut tombs in the Valley of the Kings

Ages
7 to 9
Type
Concept
Builds on
4 topics
Leads to
4 topics

Quick check

If the learner wonders how the Egyptians built the pyramids without modern machines, can they describe some of the methods used and explain how tomb design changed over time?

Ask this to see whether the topic is secure.

Topic // Mastery

What mastery looks like

What a learner can do once this topic is secure.
  • Describe at least two methods used to move and raise heavy stone blocks
  • Explain that pyramid design changed over time from simple tombs to the Great Pyramid
  • Explain why later pharaohs chose hidden tombs in the Valley of the Kings instead of pyramids

Topic // Map

Where this fits

What to learn first and what this topic opens up, with the reason for each link. Required links come first.
  • RequiredMust come first
  • HelpfulHelps, but not essential

Before this

4 topics
  • Pyramids and the Great SphinxRequired

    Ancient Egypt // Ages 5 to 7

    Pyramid construction and Valley of Kings builds on basic pyramids knowledge

  • Vocabulary: ancient egyptRequired

    Ancient Egypt // Ages 5 to 9

    Explaining how the pyramids were built requires pyramid, obelisk, and engineering vocabulary

  • Calculating with measurementsHelpful

    Mathematics // Measurement // Ages 7 to 8

    Understanding measurement of length and mass helps children appreciate the scale of engineering involved in moving and lifting multi-tonne stone blocks

  • Ancient Egypt on the TimelineHelpful

    Ancient Egypt // Ages 7 to 9

    Tomb evolution from pyramids to Valley of Kings benefits from timeline context

You are here

Building the Pyramids

Ages 7 to 9 // Concept

Leads to

4 topics
  • Egyptian Art and ArchitectureRequired

    Ancient Egypt // Ages 9 to 11

    Art conventions and architectural evolution builds on pyramid construction knowledge

  • Egyptian Maths and EngineeringRequired

    Ancient Egypt // Ages 11 to 13

    Advanced Egyptian state organisation and labour administration depends on pyramid building and engineering knowledge

  • Who Really Built the PyramidsRequired

    Ancient Egypt // Ages 12 to 14

    Advanced architectural analysis depends on understanding Egyptian monumental construction context

  • Modern Archaeology and Egyptian EthicsHelpful

    Ancient Egypt // Ages 10 to 12

    Egyptology ethics connects to how tombs/pyramids were excavated

History // Ancient Egypt

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