The Legendary Pyramids of Giza
No monument on the planet can reflect the true definition of the word glory than the Majestic Giza Pyramids Complex. The complex contains the last remaining monument of the seven wonders of the ancient world; the Great Pyramid of Giza next to two other pyramids each impressive in their unique manner and also representing the level of political and economic stability.
The complex is one of the last remaining prehistoric monuments on the planet which was built in Egypt’s old kingdom (2686 – 2181 BC) during the 4th dynasty (2613 – 2493 BC) over than 4000 years, and it is still able to capture the hearts and souls who ever see it. It contains three massive pyramids of Khufu, Khafra, and Menkaure; who desired to stand the test of time and immortalize their names and legacy through the ages. Each pharaoh built a pyramid to be his final resting place and help his soul ascend to the heavens. It is located in Giza Governorate; on the Giza plateau on the western bank of the Nile River, just 25 kilometers from central Cairo.
The ancient Egyptians chose to construct the pyramids on the west side of the Nile where the sun usually sets because it is believed it is this side where the dead enter the underworld. The location also needed to be higher than most lands to avoid the danger of the flooding season. The pyramid’s location had to be close to the river as much as possible and also to the capital at the time which was Memphis. The ground itself had to endure the weight of the enormous rock base without showing any signs of weakness.
The engineering behind the Pyramids of Giza is so impressive that scientists and historians are uncertain exactly how the Pharaohs built this great wonder. However, over the past several decades, archaeologists have made numerous discoveries that have helped them further understand the construction of the Pyramids. Researchers agree that it took anywhere between 10,000–20,000 workers over twenty or so years to construct the three pyramids. Old history books claim that slaves built the Pyramids of Giza. But later discoveries concluded that the majority, if not all, workers were native Egyptian farmers, who worked during a time when the Nile River flooded nearby land. These workers lived in a temporary town built near the Menkaure Pyramid.
The pyramids of Giza depended on their construction on limestone, Aswan granite, and white limestone, polished and reflecting the sunlight like a mirror, but it is no longer present. The design of the pyramids from the inside is divided into a slanted entrance known as the Great Gallery, 3 burial chambers, including one that represents a rock base that leads to a room called the king’s room, meaning his burial, and another called the queen’s room, although it is not a burial ground for her.
The three pyramid complexes attract at least millions of tourists each year, many of whom are repeat visitors. No matter how many times you visit the Giza Pyramids, the site never loses its magical allure. And now let’s go for a little tour around the site of the pyramids:
The Great Pyramid of Khufu:
The Great Pyramid of Giza is the oldest and largest Pyramid in the whole Giza Pyramids complex. It is considered one of the last surviving wonders of the ancient world. It is also known as the Khufu Pyramid or Pyramid of Cheops; in honor of the pharaoh who built it around 2570 BC. It took about twenty years to build. The ancient Egyptians used about 2.3 million blocks of limestone to build the Great Pyramid of Giza; each block weighed 2.5 tons and had a working force of 100,00. That makes it a unique masterpiece from the time of the amazing ancients.
King Khufu’s vizier Hemiunu designed the Great Pyramid. He created a true masterpiece of miraculous architecture using all the resources the golden age of the old kingdom had to offer. It contains three rooms; two of them belong to the King and the Queen. There are also two temples to honor the King. This great pyramid was once called Khufu’s Horizon. It has concave sides and passages to go up and down which makes it unique and one of its kind.
The Pyramid of Khafre:
It is the second-largest pyramid in the Giza Pyramids complex, which belongs to King Khafre from the fourth dynasty in 2540 BC. Khafre is the son of Khufu so he desired to create a structure similar to his father’s. The pyramid is also known by the Greek name Chephren. It reaches a height of 136.4 (448 ft.) on a base of 215.5 m (706 ft.) and is also made out of limestone. It was explored in 1818 by Giovanni Belzoni who found the main entrance. Then John Perring had his complete exploration in 1837.
Khafre’s pyramid retains some of its original limestone casing at the apex, so it is possible to imagine how the pyramids might have appeared in antiquity. Khafre also built the Great Sphinx, which is 66 feet high (20 m) and 240 feet long (73 m). It is also part of Khafre’s pyramid complex. It represents Ra-Harakhte, the sun god, as he rises in the east at dawn; but the face of the Sphinx is a portrait of Khafre himself and is contemporary with his pyramid. It was carved from an outcropping of limestone left after quarrying the stone for his father’s pyramid.
The Pyramid of Menkaure:
The pyramid of Menkaure is the smallest of the three pyramids in Giza. It was built to be the tomb of the pharaoh Menkaure; the sixth ruler of the 4th dynasty in 2510 BC. It is located a few hundred meters southwest of the Pyramid of Cheops and the Pyramid of Khafre; where it is believed to be completed in the twenty-sixth century BC. The pyramid of Menkaure is constructed using limestone on the exterior and red granite on the interior and also stands at a height of 61 m (204 ft.) on a base of 108.5 m and has an angel of incline is 51°20′25″.
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