The three famous pyramids of Giza are the pyramid of Khufu, the pyramid of Khafre, and the pyramid of Menkaura. They are all located on the Giza plateau and are named after the tombs of the pharaohs buried in them.
The Pyramids of Giza in Egypt
They have been standing for four thousand years and are the only survivors of the “seven wonders of the ancient world”. Their extraordinary shape, impeccable geometry, and enormity make visitors wonder how they were built and why.
Many theories have emerged about how and by whom the pyramids were built and their purpose. After centuries of research, part of the question is now answered. It is known that the pharaohs sent groups of tens of thousands of workers to build these enormous tombs.
Explorers discovered a village where the workers lived, with areas for large-scale food production and medical facilities. Ongoing excavations on the Giza plateau provide increasing evidence that these workers were not slaves, as one might think.
However, despite the evidence, some people still do not accept that the ancient Egyptians were capable of such an architectural feat. Pyramidologists (those who study the pyramids) point to the millimeter-precise carving and placement of the stones, as well as the numerological significance of the dimensions of the structures, as proof that they were built by angels or even visitors from another planet.
Where are the pyramids of Egypt located?
The pyramids of Giza in Egypt are located towards the outskirts of Cairo on the Giza plateau. They are the most emblematic monuments legacy of the ancient Egyptian civilization. According to studies, their construction was completed around 2570 BC.
Why were the pyramids of Giza built?
What drove the ancient Egyptians to build these incredible mausoleums was not their obsession with death or their fear of it, but their belief in eternal life and their desire to merge with the cosmos. The pharaoh was the son of the gods, but his role was also to direct divine powers to his people.
Situated between heaven and earth to connect the mortal and divine worlds, the pharaoh was honored during his lifetime and worshipped after his death. The pyramid was the appropriate tomb for such an important person. A funerary temple attached to each allowed the pharaoh to be worshipped after his death, with the daily presentation of offerings to nourish his soul.
A long covered embankment connected the funerary temple to a “valley temple” erected on the quay, where the water reaches during the annual floods. The complex was also a constant and visible reminder of the eternal power of the gods, as well as the absolute power of the pharaoh for whom it was built.
What are the pyramids found at Giza?
The Great Pyramid of Cheops
It is the oldest pyramid in Giza, the largest in Egypt, and one of the seven wonders of the ancient world.
In its construction were used about 2.3 million limestone blocks, apparently about 2.5 tons each. This pyramid demonstrates the knowledge and the great capacity of the organization that had the craftsmen and Egyptian workers at that time.
As for the findings near the pyramid, archaeological expeditions have come to find remains of a village of artisans and along with them, a cemetery, several kinds of warehouses, and even quarries.
In the 10-meter long king’s chamber, the walls were built with red granite blocks. The roof is made of nine huge granite slabs weighing more than 400 tons. Above these, four more slabs are separated by recesses designed to distribute the enormous weight. Thanks to the modern ventilation system (mounted in two ancient ventilation shafts), there is good airflow and breathing is easier.
On the eastern exterior of this pyramid, there are three small structures about 20 meters high that look like pyramid-shaped piles of rubble. These are the pyramids of the queens: the tombs of the wives and sisters of Cheops.
The Pyramid of Khafra (Khafre or Khafre)
The pyramid of Chephren was built southwest of the great pyramid of Cheops, his father. With its 136 meters high, it seems larger than that of Cheops. The effect is because it is on higher ground and its tip is still protected by a limestone covering.
Originally, the three pyramids were covered by a polished white stone, so they probably shone in the sun. Over the centuries, this covering was torn away for use in the construction of palaces and mosques, leaving the softer inner blocks exposed to the elements.
The chambers and passageways of this particular pyramid are less elaborate than those of the Great Pyramid of Cheops but almost as claustrophobic. From the entrance, you go down a passageway and cross through the burial chamber.
Back outside, to the east of the pyramid are the remains of the funerary temple of Chephren and the pavement of the embankment that allowed access from the Nile to the tomb.
The Pyramid of Mycerinos
With a height of 62 meters, this pyramid is the smallest of the three. Mycerinos, who ordered the construction of the pyramid was the grandson of Cheops. The monument has had several changes and cuts by the hand of man, as they wanted to dismantle it from its place. Like the other pyramids, it was built for the same purposes.
The pyramidal chambers of Mycerinos are more complex than those of Chephren and include a carved chamber with decorative panels and another chamber with six large tombs. The burial chamber is lined with huge granite blocks.
The black stone pharaoh’s sarcophagus, also carved with panels, was discovered inside but was lost at sea while being transported to England.
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