What’s inside the Pyramids? Let’s take a look!

This children’s article, What’s Inside the Pyramids? Let’s Take a Look! has been written for native English speakers and learners of English as a second or foreign language. It helps children practise reading and comprehension, learn exciting vocabulary, and discover fascinating facts about ancient Egypt. Written by Mark Pulley, a teacher and writer who creates fun and informative news articles for English learners.

Giant triangles in the sand

When you picture Egypt, do you think of pyramids rising from the desert? The most famous ones are the three pyramids at Giza: the Great Pyramid of Khufu, the Pyramid of Khafre, and the smaller Pyramid of Menkaure. They’re about 4,500 years old, and are still some of the most fascinating buildings ever made.

But what’s inside? Are they full of gold and mummies like in the movies? Let’s find out!

The Great Pyramid

The biggest and oldest of the three is the Great Pyramid, built for Pharaoh Khufu. Standing at 138m tall, it was the tallest man-made building in the world for over 4,000 years! Inside, there are many passageways, the most famous one is called the Grand Gallery, which leads to the King’s Chamber. Inside the chamber is a big stone box called a sarcophagus, where the pharaoh’s mummy was once placed.

There’s also a Queen’s Chamber, though no queen was buried there, and many other mysterious small tunnels. Some people believe secret rooms are still hidden inside!

Khafre and Menkaure

Next to Khufu’s pyramid is the Pyramid of Khafre. It looks taller than the Great Pyramid, but that’s just because it stands on higher ground. Khafre was Khufu’s son, and his pyramid still has some of its shiny outer casing stones near the top, because when they were first built, the pyramids were covered in shiny limestone. Inside, there are tunnels leading to a burial chamber where a sarcophagus was found. 

The smallest pyramid belongs to Menkaure, Khafre’s son. It also has a main passage leading to a burial room. Sadly, none of the pyramids had their treasures or mummies when they were found, robbers got there long ago and stole everything.

So now you know, the three pyramids are all for kings from the same family. There’s the big grandpa pyramid, the middle pyramid for his son and the small one for his grandson.

Not just tombs

The pyramids weren’t just big graves. They were made to help the pharaohs travel to the afterlife. Next to each pyramid are temples, smaller pyramids for queens, and even boat pits with full-size wooden boats buried inside! These “solar boats” were meant to carry the king through the sky with the sun god Ra.

Learn more about what’s inside the Pyramids in this article – What’s Inside the Great Pyramid?

Article vocabulary list

• Pharaoh – A king of ancient Egypt
  
• Sarcophagus – A large stone box that holds a dead body
  
• Burial chamber – A room where someone is buried
  
• Tomb – A place where a person is buried
  
• Passageway – A long, narrow tunnel or hall
  
• Afterlife – A life people believed happened after death
  
• Temple – A place used for religious or spiritual ceremonies
  
• Robbers – People who steal things

Comprehension questions

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