Thanks to this device, the central pressure was thrown almost entirely on the side faces, and the chamber was preserved.

None of the stones which cover it have been crushed; none have yielded a fraction since the day when the workmen cemented them into their places (Note 30).
[Illustration: Fig.

137 .-- The Step Pyramid of Sakkarah.] The pyramids of Khafra and Menkara were built on a different plan inside to that of Khufu.

Khafra's had two entrances, both to the north, one from the platform before the pyramid, the other fifty feet above the ground.
Menkara's still preserves the remains of its casing of red granite (Note 31).

The entrance passage descends at an angle of twenty-six degrees, and soon runs into the rock.