Desert Temples have a purpose in Minecraft?

What are the bonuses to a desert pyramid in minecraft? Are they best to be converted into homes?

2 Answers

Desert Temples each contain a hidden chamber that is booby-trapped with several blocks of TNT and a Pressure Plate.

In the center of the temple's ground floor is a single block of Blue Wool. Underneath this blue wool is a 'booby-trapped' hidden chamber with four chests that can each contain very valuable loot. The trap consists of a Stone Pressure Plate (located directly under the Blue Wool), connected to a 3x3x1 grid of TNT. Items in these chests can include Emeralds (rare), Diamonds, Iron Ingots, Gold Ingots, Enchanted Books, Rotten Flesh and Bones.

They have booby traps and treasure, much like jungle temples.