The Step Pyramid at Saqqara. Built about 4,600 years ago, it is most probably the oldest pyramid in the world.

The lush countryside south of Cairo.

The "Red Pyramid," named after the reddish color of its stones. This may be the first pyramid to have smooth sides. It was not built long after the Step Pyramid at Saqqara.

French tourists climb up to the mouth of the pyramid. You can see the red color of the stones a little better here.

The "Bent Pyramid," named thus because of its literally crooked structure. This pyramid was built when the Egyptians were still experimenting with pyramid-building. Halfway through the project, the architects realized the pyramid would fall over if they continued at the same angle they started at. So, they reduced the angle of the pyramid and continued building. In other words, the top of the pyramid is at a less steep incline than the bottom half, which gives it a "bent" shape.

A side view of the Bent Pyramid (you can see a tiny Linda in the bottom left corner, to give you an idea of scale).

A sphinx in the museum in Memphis. Memphis, which was founded around 3,100 BC is perhaps the oldest city on the Earth.

The museum at Memphis is built around fallen collossus statue of the great Ramses II.

Ramses, up-close and personal.

That's one big hand!