Explorations in Bible lands during the 19th century - H. V. Hilprecht

DURING 10 CENTURY : EGYPT G53
past Gize and Saqqara as far as Medum, which is situated
at the entrance to the Fayum, they divide themselves into
seven large groups. That the three larger pyramids had
been built by the old kings Cheops, Chefren and Mykerinos
was already known to the Greek classic writers. They
knew also that they were to serve no other purpose than
to be burying-places of the kings. This valuable knowledge
had been lost for centuries ; and the pyramids came
Step Pyramid ot Saqqara
to be regarded as water reservoirs or granaries or astronomical
observatories. Only through the careful architectural
examination of Vyse and Perring, 1837-38, has the real
purpose of the pyramids been scientifically proved. The
English discoveries have shown that it is more than probable
that the group of pyramids at Abusir, situated farther
to the south of Gize, belong to the Fifth Dynasty, which
followed on the throne after the dynasty of Cheops.
The pyramids which join those on the south at Abusir