Ask AI: How were the pyramids in Egypt designed and built?

The ancient Egyptians used a combination of simple tools, natural resources, and a remarkable knowledge of mathematics and engineering to build the pyramids. First, surveyors laid out the basic ground plan of the pyramid, then they dug a rectangular trench, or foundation trench, and laid the first courses of large stone blocks. The blocks were laid in courses, one on top of the other, with a mortar of mud and straw. The outer casing of the pyramid (the smooth surface) was made from polished white limestone. Inside the pyramid, ramps were used to haul the huge blocks up to their correct level. The ramps also allowed the workers to smooth the sides of the stones. This technique was used to build the Great Pyramid at Giza, which is believed to have been constructed over a period of about 20 years, with thousands of workers involved in its construction.