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The Great Pyramid of Giza, in particular, is the last surviving wonder of the ancient world, writes Success in UA.
But while dozens of these structures dot the landscape, is it known exactly how many ancient Egyptian pyramids still stand today?
"I don't think that's an answerable question," said Ann Macy Roth, clinical professor of art history and Hebrew and Judaic studies at New York University.
Roth noted that scholars do not necessarily agree on what constitutes an Egyptian pyramid.
For example, during the 25th Dynasty (approximately 712 to 664 BC), Egypt was ruled by pharaohs from Nubia (now modern Sudan and parts of southern Egypt). These Nubian leaders built pyramids in Sudan, but were also rulers of Egypt, so it is a matter of debate whether the pyramids they built in Sudan should be counted, reports portaltele.
Another issue is whether the smaller pyramids, sometimes called the "queens' pyramids," which were located next to the great pyramids, should be counted in the total. For example, there are at least eight smaller pyramids at Giza, in addition to the pyramids of Khufu, Khafre, and Menkaur. Modern scientists also call these smaller pyramids, which are sometimes poorly preserved, "secondary pyramids".
Mark Lehner, president of Ancient Egypt Research Associates and author of The Complete Pyramids: Solving the Ancient Mysteries (Thames & Hudson, 1997), pointed out further problems with pyramid counting.
"It depends in part on what you call a pyramid scheme," Lehner said.
One problem is that not all of the pyramids were completed. And in some cases, pyramid construction stopped soon after it began, so the question arises "whether to count pyramids that have barely begun," he said.
Lehner also noted that during the New Kingdom (ca. 1550 to 1070 BCE), private individuals sometimes built small pyramids near their tombs, and whether these tiny pyramids should be counted is debated.
"If you try to include the non-royal pyramids of the New Kingdom, which were usually quite small and often completely destroyed, there are many, many examples, and probably many more, that have been completely lost or with foundations that have yet to be excavated," Roth said. .
Although the number of Egyptian pyramids is debatable, one scholar has said that the number 118 may not be far off.
"I believe this number is probably correct, although I have not personally counted them all," wrote David Lightbody, an Egyptologist and adjunct professor at the University of Vermont.
He noted that many of these will be smaller private pyramids.
Although Egypt is well known for its pyramids, Sudan actually has more pyramids than Egypt, Lightbody said. Indeed, a large number of pyramids continue to be found in the ancient cemeteries of Sudan, although they are much smaller than those built at Giza.
