Mysteries, Facts, and History of the Giza Pyramids
Learn and explore the mysteries, facts, and history of the Great Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx, the last remaining Wonder of the Ancient World. Discover the pyramids through photos, diagrams, and videos, plus useful information about how the Pyramids of Giza were built and the latest discoveries and scans of the Great Pyramid of Khufu. During your Egypt tour, we will take you on a journey to uncover the facts and mysteries of the Pyramids of Giza.
Discover When the Pyramids of Giza Were Built
The ancient Egyptians built their pyramids as tombs for the pharaohs and their queens. The Giza pyramids were constructed between 2589 and 2504 B.C. The ancient Egyptian pyramids of King Khufu, Khafre, and Menkaure, built in that order, are a testament to ancient planning and engineering.
Why the Ancient Egyptians Built the Pyramids
The Egyptian pharaohs built these pyramids as tombs to honor the kings and queens. Pharaohs were buried in pyramids of many different shapes and sizes from the beginning of the Old Kingdom to the end of the Middle Kingdom. Today, around one hundred pyramids are known from ancient Egypt, the most famous of them being the Pyramids of Giza.
The ancient Egyptians believed in life after death, or resurrection, which meant that the deceased would come to life again. That is why they mummified the dead and built these grand pyramids to protect their bodies and treasures. On your Cairo tours, you can visit the Giza Pyramids and learn more about their significance.
How Were the Pyramids of Giza Constructed?
There are many theories about how the pyramids were built. One of the most unusual is that aliens constructed Khufu’s Pyramid! However, thanks to the hard work of archaeologists, much of the mystery has been solved.
The most accepted theory involves ramps—both spiral and straight—used to lift the stones from the bottom to the top. These ramps were lubricated with oil and water to make it easier to move the massive blocks. Construction of the Great Pyramids was simple in concept but required genius-level planning and effort.
Exploring the Great Pyramids of Giza
Did you know the pyramids’ smooth, angled sides symbolized the rays of the sun, designed to help the king’s soul ascend to heaven and join the sun god Ra? The Giza Plateau contains not only the three famous pyramids of Khufu, Khafre, and Menkaure, but also ten smaller pyramids for queens and lesser royalty of the Fourth Dynasty.
The Great Pyramid of Khufu is not only Egypt’s most famous historical site but also one of the most iconic monuments in the world. During your Egypt travel packages, you can spend two days or more in Cairo to fully explore the Giza Pyramids.
Top 10 Fascinating Facts About Khufu’s Great Pyramid
- 1. Khufu’s Pyramid contains an estimated 2,300,000 stone blocks, weighing 2.5 to 15 tons each, with a total weight of 6 million tons.
- 2. The Pyramids of Khufu, Khafre, and Menkaure are precisely aligned with the Orion Belt constellation.
- 3. The base of Khufu’s Pyramid covers 55,000 m², with each side exceeding 20,000 m².
- 4. The interior temperature remains constant at around 20°C (68°F), similar to the earth’s average temperature.
- 5. Cornerstone foundations use a ball-and-socket design to withstand heat expansion and earthquakes.
- 6. Originally covered in fine white limestone, the pyramid reflected sunlight and shone like a jewel.
- 7. Khufu’s Pyramid is aligned to true north with only 3/60th of a degree of error.
- 8. The pyramid originally had a swivel door entrance, a feature also seen in pyramids built by Khufu’s father Sneferu and grandfather Huni.
- 9. Microscopic analysis of the sarcophagus shows it was drilled using hard jewel bits with a force exceeding 2 tons.
- 10. The Descending Passage pointed to the pole star Alpha Draconis around 2170–2144 BCE, which was the North Star at the time.
The Magnificent Pyramid of Khafre
King Khafre, son of Khufu, built his pyramid beside the Great Pyramid. Although smaller at 137 m in height, it sits on slightly higher ground, giving the impression of being taller from certain viewpoints. Khafre’s Pyramid is the best-preserved pyramid in Egypt, retaining its original white limestone capstone. It was first explored by Italian archaeologist Belzoni in 1818.
The Legendary Great Sphinx of Giza
The Great Sphinx guards the Pyramids of Giza, sitting in front of Khafre’s Pyramid. Carved from a single block of stone, it measures 57 m long and 20 m high, with a 5 m head. Some archaeologists believe the Sphinx predates the pyramids, possibly over 10,000 years old. The nose is missing, with theories attributing it to either Napoleon’s troops or wind erosion. The Sphinx remains one of the must-see monuments during Egypt culture tours.
The Smaller Yet Stunning Pyramid of Menkaure
Menkaure’s Pyramid, the smallest of the three at 65 m tall, includes three queens’ pyramids on its south side. Its entrance is just above ground level, leading to an antechamber and burial chamber. An ornate sarcophagus discovered by Howard Vyse in the 19th century was lost when the ship carrying it to the UK sank.
Contact & Booking:
Via Narmer Tours ⇒ Click Here.
Via Tripadvisor ⇒ Click Here.
Via WhatsApp: ⇒ (+20) 01210136814