The Egyptian Pyramids

The Egyptian Pyramids

For centuries, the Egyptian pyramids, gracing the Giza Plateau with their majesty, have captivated scholars, adventurers, and tourists. These ancient giants, built over 4,500 years in the past, are more than just architectural wonders; they are portals to the civilization that created them. The pyramids, particularly the Great Pyramid of Giza, showcase the brilliance and ambition of Egypt's Old Kingdom. Their very existence reveals a sophisticated understanding of mathematics, astronomy, and engineering.

Why were great Pyramids of Giza built?
● The Giza Pyramids, designed to last forever, have succeeded in that. Built approximately 4,500 years ago, the imposing tombs are remnants of Egypt's Old Kingdom period. 
● The Egyptian Pharaohs anticipated becoming gods in the hereafter. They built enormous pyramid graves for themselves and temples to the gods to get ready for the next world, which was stocked with everything a king would need to lead and support himself there. 

The Giza Pyramids: Who Constructed Them?
● Around 2550 B.C., Pharaoh Khufu became the first Egyptian monarch to commission a pyramid at Giza. His Great Pyramid, the largest at Giza, originally stood approximately 481 feet (147 meters) tall. Each of its 2.3 million stone blocks weighs, on average, between 2.5 and 15 tons.
● Around 2520 B.C., Khufu's son Khafre built the second pyramid at Giza. A notable feature of his burial site, or necropolis, is the enigmatic Sphinx, a limestone statue with the body of a lion and the head of a pharaoh. Although there is no definitive evidence that Khafre constructed the entire tomb complex, the Sphinx buried in the sand for millennia with only its head visible might have served as a guardian for the complex.
● Built around 2490 B.C. by Menkaure, the son of Khafre, the third pyramid at Giza is considerably shorter than the first two, standing at approximately 218 feet. This pyramid complex includes two distinct temples connected by a long causeway and three smaller pyramids for queens. Menkaure's pyramid is notable for its rooms with niche designs unique to Giza and a burial chamber featuring a vaulted ceiling. The pharaoh's sarcophagus, an intricately decorated stone coffin, was lost at sea near Gibraltar in 1838.

The Pyramids were constructed by enslaved laborers:
● One of the myths about Egyptian pyramids is that they were built by slaves, a rumor believed to have originated with the Greek historian Herodotus. During his visit to the site of the Great Pyramid in 450 BC, Herodotus reported that slaves were responsible for the construction, based on stories from supposed priests. However, modern evidence indicates that the pyramids were built by well-fed, skilled laborers.
● Numerous cow bones uncovered at Giza suggest that the builders enjoyed beef, a delicacy in ancient Egypt. Furthermore, nearby the Giza Pyramids, caves containing the remains of the pyramid constructors were discovered, contrasting with the burial grounds reserved for the pharaohs. Being interred alongside the pharaohs was a prestigious distinction denied to slaves.

Many mysteries still lie hidden within the pyramids of Giza. Scientists frequently make discoveries, yet these findings often lead to even more questions.