pyramid![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Construction with a square base and four triangular faces; it served as a tomb for the pharaohs of ancient Egypt, represented here by the pyramid of Cheops.
shaft ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Narrow passage used by the workers to exit the pyramid after blocking the ascending passage at the conclusion of the funeral rites.
air shaft ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Ventilation shaft leading outdoors.
entrance to the pyramid ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Point of entry into the pyramid.
relieving chamber ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Series of five chambers designed to ease the pressure exerted by the stone blocks on the king’s chamber.
king’s chamber ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Funeral chamber that housed the pharaoh’s sarcophagus.
grand gallery ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Large passage leading to the king’s chamber.
queen’s chamber ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Unfinished chamber thought to be the king’s second chamber; it was probably abandoned because the access passage was too narrow for the sarcophagus.
underground chamber ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Unfinished chamber located at ground level, believed to be the king’s chamber; it was built in case the pharaoh died prematurely.
descending passage ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Passage leading to the underground chamber.
ascending passage ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Passage leading to the grand gallery.