The Pyramids of Giza

Whilst there are a number of sites within Egypt being home to pyramids the most famous are The Pyramids of Giza (which are the only remaining “Wonder” of the Greek-listed Seven Wonders of the World) and it is these Pyramids at Giza which are globally renound and epitomise Ancient Egyptian History. At such a phenominal size they really do have to be seen to be believed. There have been numerous weird and wonderful theories for the building of the pyramids over the years, however they were built as tombs to house the mummies of deceased Pharaohs. The three pyramids on the Giza Plateau are the tombs of Cheops (Pyramid of Khufu), Kephren (Pyramid of Khafre) and Mykerinus (Pyramid of Menkaure) who were father, son and grandson.

It is believed that with the army of masons, mathematicians, surveyors, stonecutters and some 100,000 slaves involved it took around 20 years to erect the Pyramid of Cheops alone (the largest of the three). Upon viewing the Pyramids of Giza Napoleon calculated that the 2 ½ million blocks (generally weighing between 2 - 30 tonnes each, some as much as 70 tonnes) that were used in the construction of this pyramid alone would be enough to build a 3 metre high wall around the coast and borders of France.

Upon construction and up until the 5th century the Pyramids of Giza would have gleamed in the sunlight as they were coated in polished limestone. Sadly up until the 19th century the limestone was recovered by builders in order to build mosques and palaces. This has unfortunately exposed the softer stone to the elements which has caused unfortunate deterioration. An example of the limestone covering can still be seen at the very top of the Pyramid of Chefren.

Upon completion in 2600 BC the Great Pyramid of Cheops stood at around 146.5 metres and was the tallest man made structure not only in Egypt but in the world. It held this claim until the 19th century when it was beaten by the Gothenburg Cathedral, this was only done by adding a spa to the spire. It is feats of engineering like this that has given Ancient Egypt the name it has today.

In years gone by a popular pastime would beto climb to the summit of the Pyramids of Giza, this is now forbidden, not due to the erosion it caused but due to the deaths that ensued with the tourists falling from such a great height.







Shop at Amazon!	The Pyramids of Giza Whilst there are a number of sites within Egypt being home to pyramids the most famous are The Pyramids of Giza (which are the only remaining “Wonder” of the Greek-listed Seven Wonders of the World) and it is these Pyramids at Giza which are globally renound and epitomise Ancient Egyptian History. At such a phenominal size they really do have to be seen to be believed. There have been numerous weird and wonderful theories for the building of the pyramids over the years, however they were built as tombs to house the mummies of deceased Pharaohs. The three pyramids on the Giza Plateau are the tombs of Cheops (Pyramid of Khufu), Kephren (Pyramid of Khafre) and Mykerinus (Pyramid of Menkaure) who were father, son and grandson. It is believed that with the army of masons, mathematicians, surveyors, stonecutters and some 100,000 slaves involved it took around 20 years to erect the Pyramid of Cheops alone (the largest of the three). Upon viewing the Pyramids of Giza Napoleon calculated that the 2 ½ million blocks (generally weighing between 2 - 30 tonnes each, some as much as 70 tonnes) that were used in the construction of this pyramid alone would be enough to build a 3 metre high wall around the coast and borders of France. Upon construction and up until the 5th century the Pyramids of Giza would have gleamed in the sunlight as they were coated in polished limestone. Sadly up until the 19th century the limestone was recovered by builders in order to build mosques and palaces. This has unfortunately exposed the softer stone to the elements which has caused unfortunate deterioration. An example of the limestone covering can still be seen at the very top of the Pyramid of Chefren. Upon completion in 2600 BC the Great Pyramid of Cheops stood at around 146.5 metres and was the tallest man made structure not only in Egypt but in the world. It held this claim until the 19th century when it was beaten by the Gothenburg Cathedral, this was only done by adding a spa to the spire. It is feats of engineering like this that has given Ancient Egypt the name it has today. In years gone by a popular pastime would beto climb to the summit of the Pyramids of Giza, this is now forbidden, not due to the erosion it caused but due to the deaths that ensued with the tourists falling from such a great height.		Home Tutankhamun Pyramids of Giza Sphinx Abu Simbel Rosetta Stone Temple of Philae Egyptian Mummification



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