Final answer:
The first tombs created to protect mummies were called mastabas, which later evolved into step pyramids with the most famous being the one designed by Imhotep for Pharaoh Djoser. Over time, these structures led to the development of the massive pyramids that served as elaborate tombs ensuring the afterlife journey for deceased pharaohs. Other civilizations also produced monumental tombs, including the pyramids and the mausoleum of China's First Emperor.
Step-by-step explanation:
The first tombs called to protect mummies in ancient Egypt were mastabas, which were precursors to the pyramids. These were simple rectangular structures made out of mud-brick, but it was during the Early Dynastic period under Pharaoh Djoser that the architect Imhotep built the first innovatively designed step pyramid by placing multiple mastabas on top of each other. The effort to preserve the body of the deceased for the survival of spiritual elements such as Ka and Ba was crucial, hence the elaborate preparations and constructions for the afterlife.
Pyramids, such as the ones built during the Old Kingdom, evolved from these mastabas and became monumental tombs housing pharaohs for eternity. Not only did they serve as tombs, but they also celebrated the legacy of the kings and were designed to ensure the continuation of their spiritual journey into the afterlife with all necessary luxuries and offerings. The development of these tombs from simple mastabas to grand pyramids reflects the sophisticated religious beliefs and architectural advancements of ancient Egypt.
Moreover, other civilizations such as the and the Chinese also developed their own mortuary practices with monumental tombs, such as the Meroitic pyramids for the kings and the massive mausoleum for Emperor Qin Shi Huang of China, which is famously guarded by nearly 8,000 terracotta soldiers.