
There are no more famous ancient sites within Egypt, or for that matter elsewhere in the world, than the Great Pyramids at
Giza. They are, without question, the icon most associated with the Egypt. They have been both the main destination for tourists, and a source of imaginative thought to the world for over three thousand years.
However, there are actually over 100 pyramids in Egypt, many of which are relatively unknown to anyone who is not an ancient Egypt enthusiast. All but a very few are grouped around and near the City of
Cairo, just south of the Nile Delta. Otherwise, only one royal pyramid is known in southern Egypt (at Abydos), that being the one built by
Ahmose, founder of the
18th Dynasty and Egypt's
New Kingdom. It may have also been the last royal pyramid built in Egypt.
Hence, major pyramids were not built throughout Egypt's ancient history. The Pyramid Age began with a burst of building, starting with the
3rd Dynasty reign of
Djoser. Some of the early kings, most specifically
Snefru, built more than one pyramid. Almost all of the
kings added to their number through the end of the
Middle Kingdom, with the possible exception of the
First Intermediate Period between the
Old and
Middle Kingdoms. After the first Pharaoh of Egypt's
New Kingdom,
Ahmose, royal pyramid building by Egyptians ceased entirely. Somewhat abruptly the kings of the New Kingdom chose, rather than making their tombs completely obvious, to hide them in the hills of the
West Bank of
Thebes (modern
Luxor).