Joseph E. Jones' Jr., of Lexington, Ky., for the question:

Why were the pyramids built?

The famous pyramids of Egypt were built to protect the tombs of the ancient pharoahs. These kings of long ago believed that they could inherit eternal life only if their bodies were preserved after death. The tomb was built in the ground under the very center of the great pointed structure.

The shape of the pyramid was thought to be very important. It was the sacred symbol of the Egyptian sun god and it also suggested a step way leading up to heaven. The pyramids which have survived were built between 4,000 and 5,000 years ago, though most of the tombs beneath them have long since been ravaged by looters. For the pharoahs were always buried with a great deal of treasure.