Pyramids, land and people -- Chronology -- Map -- Pyramids in the landscape -- The giant pyramids : their rise and fall -- The standard pyramid complex ; I. Tomb and temple. The Ka, the Ba and the body embalmed -- Burial rituals and the pyramid complex -- This world and the netherworld -- The pyramid texts -- The pyramid as icon ; II. Explorers and scientists. Early legends -- Mythic history of the Copts and Arabs -- The first European discover -- Napoleon's wise men -- Belzoni and Caviglia -- Digging by dynamite -- Lepsius and Mariette -- Petrie at the pyramids -- The great expeditions -- Recent discoveries ; III. The whole pyramid catalogue. Origins of the pyramid : Hierakonpolis -- Royal tombs at Abydos -- Archaic mastabas at Saqqara -- Saqqara : an overview -- Djoser's step pyramid complex -- The short life of step pyramids -- The first true pyramids : Meidun and Dahshur -- Giza : an overview -- The Great Pyramid of Khufu -- Djedefre at Abu Roash -- Return to Giza -- Khafre's pyramid and the Great Sphinx -- Menkaure's pyramid -- The passing of a dynasty -- The pyramid of Userkaf -- The pyramids of Abusir -- The end of the 5th dynasty -- Pyramids of the 6th dynasty -- Pyramids of the First Intermediate Period -- Mentuhotep at Deir el-Bahri -- The pyramids at Lisht -- The second phase of Middle Kingdom pyramids -- Mudbrick pyramids -- Late Middle Kingdom pyramids -- New Kingdom pyramids -- Ahmose at Abydos -- "Private" pyramids -- Pyramids of Late Antiquity ; IV. The living pyramid. Supply and transport -- Quarries -- The NOVA pyramid-building experiment -- Tools, techniques and operations -- Survey and alignment -- Ramps -- Rise and run -- Trouble at the top -- The workforce -- Building a Middle Kingdom pyramid -- Pyramid as landlord -- Pyramid towns -- Those who serve : priests and watchers -- Loaves and fishes -- The royal workshops -- Epilogue : the legacy of the pyramids -- Visiting the pyramids.