Q & A - Who Built the Great Pyramids?
This Parent Q&A sheet on Who Built the Great Pyramids? has been created to help home-educating families explore one of the world’s most iconic historical landmarks. The pyramids are often surrounded by myths and confusion, but this resource helps you and your child discover the real story—based on clear historical facts.
Inside this printable guide, you’ll find 20 thoughtful questions and answers covering key information from who built the pyramids to how and why they were made. Each answer is clearly explained in everyday language, so you don’t need to be an expert to help your child understand. You’ll also find a selection of creative conversation starters and tasks at the end, designed to encourage discussion, imagination, and critical thinking.
This sheet is ideal for families using Elective Home Education and offers the flexibility to use it however it suits you best. You can work through it in one session or spread it across the week. Whether your child enjoys talking, drawing, or researching, there’s something here to spark their interest—and support your teaching.
This topic is part of our Info Zone collection. You can read the full topic, once logged in, here: Who Built the Great Pyramids?
You’ll also find a full Lesson Plan and a handy Parent Q & A sheet, for this topic, ready to use..
| Who Built the Great Pyramids? | |
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| Tip for Parents | Use these questions to talk with your child about the topic. Encourage your child to explain ideas in their own words. You don’t need to know all the answers—this sheet gives you a clear, confident guide. |
| 1. Who built the Great Pyramids? | The pyramids were built by skilled Egyptian workers, not slaves. These included stone cutters, builders, cooks, and farmers who worked in organised teams. |
| 2. When were the Great Pyramids built? | The most famous pyramid, the Great Pyramid of Giza, was built around 2,600 BCE, during the reign of Pharaoh Khufu, over 4,500 years ago. |
| 3. Why did they build pyramids? | Pyramids were built as tombs for pharaohs (kings of Ancient Egypt) to prepare them for the afterlife. They believed the pyramid shape helped the soul rise to the heavens. |
| 4. How big is the Great Pyramid? | It was originally about 146.6 metres tall—roughly a 45-storey building. It was made from over two million stone blocks, each weighing around 2.5 tonnes. |
| 5. How did workers move such heavy stones? | They used wooden sledges (sliding platforms), rolled logs, ramps, and poured water on sand to reduce friction and make dragging easier. |
| 6. Where did the stone come from? | Most limestone came from nearby quarries, while granite (a harder rock) came from Aswan, over 800km away, transported by boat along the River Nile. |
| 7. What did the workers eat and where did they live? | Workers lived in special villages near the pyramids. They ate bread, onions, meat, and drank beer. They were well fed and looked after. |
| 8. Were pyramid builders slaves? | No. Modern discoveries show they were paid labourers who had homes, medical care, and even honourable burials near the pyramids. |
| 9. Why do people sometimes believe aliens built the pyramids? | Because the pyramids are so large and complex, some people think humans couldn’t have built them. But archaeology (the study of ancient remains) proves Egyptians did it using clever teamwork and tools. |
| 10. What tools did they use to cut stone? | They used copper chisels, stone hammers, and wooden mallets. Although copper is soft, it was strong enough for limestone. Harder stone like granite took much longer to shape. |
| 11. How long did it take to build the Great Pyramid? | Historians believe it took about 20 years to build the Great Pyramid. Teams worked in shifts, and thousands of people were involved. |
| 12. What other pyramids exist? | There are over 100 pyramids in Egypt. Earlier versions include the Step Pyramid at Saqqara. Others include the Bent Pyramid and Red Pyramid, which helped improve design over time. |
| 13. What is inside a pyramid? | Inside are chambers (rooms), passageways, and sometimes secret shafts. The king's body and treasure were placed in the main burial chamber. |
| 14. How did they make sure the pyramid shape was correct? | Builders used rope measurements, straight wooden tools, and even stars to guide the angles and layout. The base is almost perfectly square. |
| 15. What is the Sphinx, and is it part of the pyramids? | The Sphinx is a huge statue near the pyramids. It has a lion’s body and a pharaoh’s head. It likely represents strength and wisdom and was built to guard the pyramids. |
| 16. Are pyramids still standing today? | Yes! The Great Pyramid of Giza is one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World—and the only one still standing today. |
| 17. What do we know about the workers' lives? | We know they were organised, respected, and worked hard. Their graves include tools, food remains, and even notes carved into walls, showing team names and pride in their work. |
| 18. How are pyramids protected today? | They are looked after by Egypt’s heritage teams and listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, meaning they’re protected as important landmarks for the whole world. |
| 19. Can you visit the pyramids? | Yes! People travel from around the world to visit the pyramids in Giza. Visitors can go inside some pyramids and see nearby tombs and temples. |
| 20. Why are the pyramids still important? | They show us how clever and skilled ancient people were. They help us understand history, religion, art, and engineering—and still inspire people today. |
| Extra Conversation Ideas |
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