Why Do Pyramids Last So Long?

What Crafty Clover says in this video

Intro

Hey there, curious minds! I'm Crafty Clover! Let's discover something amazing. Why do pyramids last so long?

The Big Idea

A pyramid is a mountain of stone with a very wide base. Most of its weight sits near the ground, so it's hard to tip, and hard to wear away. Let's see why pyramids last so long!

Level the Site, Lay the Base

Step one: level the site, and lay the base. Workers flatten a huge square of bedrock. Then the biggest stones make a wide first course.

Stack and Step, Lock the Core

Step two: stack and step, and lock the core. Each new layer is a little smaller than the one below, and steps inward. Inner packing stones fill the gaps, so the whole mass acts as one.

Face the Outside

Step three: face the outside. Smooth casing stones once made a shiny slope, that shed sand and rain. Dry desert air also keeps water from rotting the joints.

A Closer Look

Let's take a closer look at a pyramid! The base is the wide bottom. Core stones make up the inside. The casing is the smooth outer layer. And the capstone sits at the tip.

Quick Facts

Quick facts! The Great Pyramid has stood for about 4,500 years! Some blocks weigh as much as two elephants. A wide base keeps the center of mass low, like sitting instead of standing on tiptoes. Sand buried and protected many temples for centuries.

Think Like a Scientist

Now, think like a scientist! Stack cups into a pyramid. Then stack cups into a tall, single column. Blow on both. Which one falls first?

Outro

A wide, stable shape helped pyramids stand for thousands of years. Built to last! Crafty Clover can be found on Amazon Books, Google Bookstore, and Apple Books. Available for purchase or download! Bye for now!