The purpose of the pyramids built by ancient Egyptians was primarily as royal tombs for pharaohs, facilitating their journey to the afterlife. These monumental structures were part of a broader belief system in which the pharaohs were considered divine and their afterlife was crucial for the well-being of the kingdom. The pyramids were designed to protect the body and treasures of the deceased and included sophisticated burial chambers, offering a space for the pharaoh's spirit to reside in the afterlife. Additionally, the pyramids served as a demonstration of the pharaoh's power and the civilization's architectural prowess, thus reinforcing social and religious structures.