Pyramids were not tombs

Question: I am confused about something. In elementary school, in high school and in college, I was taught that the Egyptian pyramids were built as tombs for the pharaohs. I just read a book that stated there was absolutely no proof that the pyramids had ever been used as tombs. What is the correct answer? Peter van Doorst, Chicago, IL.
Answer: The book you just read, Peter, is correct. There has never been any evidence or even any indication the any of the ten Egyptian pyramids were ever used as tombs. When you look at the design of the pyramids, especially that of the Great Pyramid, you quickly realize what a foolish notion it is that they were built as tombs. They have nothing in common with the real tombs that have been discovered in Egypt. I distinctly remember questioning my 6th grade teacher when he told us that the pyramids at Giza were built to be used as tombs for their pharaoh builders. The truth is that they were neither designed as tombs nor were they ever used as tombs.