The book introduces the reader to the worldview of the pyramid builders, their religious beliefs and ideological attitudes. Using a strictly scientific methodology and operating exclusively with facts, the author debunks many pseudo- and pseudo-scientific myths. Written in accessible language and beautifully illustrated, this book is addressed to a wide range of readers - from professional Egyptologists to high school students and students interested in the history of Ancient Egypt.

CONTENTS:Habent sua fata libelli (“Books have their own destiny”) 4Instead prefaces 8Chapter 1. The first pyramid of Egypt 18Djoser and Imhotep 18Djoser's mortuary complex in Saqqara 26Heb-seed sanctuary 31"Southern tomb" 34Some design features of Djoser's pyramid 38Djoser's mortuary temple 44Some preliminary conclusions about the pyramid complex of Djoser 44Chapter 2. The first unfinished pyramids of the III dynasty 52Pyramid of Sekhemkhet 52Pyramid of Hub 58Chapter 3. The phenomenon of Medum 61Memphis. Capital or headquarters? 61King Huni and the mystery of the small step pyramids 70The Pyramid at Medum 74Pros and cons of R. Stadelman’s hypothesis 81Chapter 4. The Pyramids of Dahshur 84Sneferu’s Great Experiment 84The Architect Nefermaat and his “gods” 90Sneferu’s Pyramids 94The Diamond-shaped Pyramid 107Chronology of Snefru’s reign and the problem Medum pyramid 110Northern pyramid 116Chapter 5. Secrets Great Pyramid 121 Khnum-Khufu 121 “Great Five” 127 Star Channels - Chambers of Thoth? 130The Architects Ankhhaf and Hemiunu 135The Chambers of Thoth 138Next to the Pyramid 146Appendix 1 to Chapter 5. About one alternative theory of pyramid construction, or What gives the deceased a sacrificial formula 148Appendix 2 to Chapter 5. Map of the groundwater level in the area of the historical monument of ancient Memphis 157Chapter 6. Star tent of Djedefre 158King Djedefre 158V. Dobrev’s hypothesis regarding the time of Djedefre’s reign and some conclusions arising from it 172About one “discovery” associated with the cult of Djedefre 176Chapter 7. The Pyramid of Khafre 181Prince Khufuhaf and King Khafre 181Personal spirituality in the ideas of the Egyptians of the pyramid era, and its role in the tomb cult 187The Sphinx and the mystery of the Giza pyramid complex 208The mortuary temple and the valley temple 229The Pyramid 230The Burial of Meresankh 233Chapter 8. How did the Egyptians build the pyramids? 236King Nebkara and his unfinished pyramid 236Basic building materials 238Limestone and granite 243Extraction of stone and its processing 246Transportation and organization 252Laying 258Chapter 9. The Righteous Menkaure and the Last Great Pyramid 271Menkaure 271Menkaure and the Cult of Osiris 275Why was the pyramid of Menkaure built? 284Some mysteries associated with the reign of Menkaure 287Appendix to Chapter 9. The legendary daughter of Mikerin and the “Khentkaus Problem” 291Chapter 10. 150 years of suffering of the Egyptian people, or Why didn’t King Shepseskaf build his pyramid? 307Shepseskaph and his mastaba 307The seven-year drought, or where did Herodotus and Manetho go wrong? 309 “Sechel Stele”, message of Elian and discovery of O. D. Berlev 318 So when did the explosion of the satellite of Sirius occur? 324At the origins of the ancient Egyptian calendar system 330Appendix to Chapter 10. Some comments regarding the ideas about the “red” Sirius among the Greeks and Romans 348Sources of Mesopotamian tradition 351Chapter 11. Decline of the era of the pyramids (V and VI dynasties) 354Evidence of the “Palermo Stone” 356The rise of a private necropolis 359Temples of the Sun 362Fumentary temple and valley temple 369Pyramids 372The first texts telling about the construction and purpose of the pyramids 375Why were “written” Pyramid Texts? 379The Heliopolis Doctrine 388The Essence of Osiris 392Chapter 12. The Struggle of Horus and Set 402The Unification of Egypt and the Triumph of Heliopolis 402The Explosion of Sirius 408The Lesson of the Pyramids (instead of the Conclusion) 413The Hieroglyphic List of Kings 430 “Where It All Began” 433List of Abbreviations 441Literature 4 44Summary 448