The Great Pyramids of Giza, the oldest and largest pyramids in the Giza Necropolis border what is now present-day Cairo, Egypt. The names of the pyramids are Khufu, Khafre, and Menkaure, after three kings. They are also the only lasting seven wonders of the ancient world. While it is known that the pyramids were built and used for the burial of pharaohs, not all representation and imagery is known and some mysteries still exist. These pyramids are one of the most famous tourist attractions in our contemporary world, along with the reality that they are the oldest, consecrated sites, and without doubt, to be counted in the company of the most remarkable.
The pyramids at Giza were built somewhere between 2700 and 2500 BC and were constructed to be used as tombs for the pharaohs as well as monuments to the pharaoh’s eminence. The Pyramid of Khufu, also known as the great pyramid at Giza, was built for King Khufus burial site. It was the largest of the three pyramids of Giza, and is the best known manmade structure in the world. It was not the first pyramid to be built yet it continues to remain intact for almost 4000 years. The second largest pyramid at Giza was Khafre and like the great pyramid, it was constructed by Khafre's father Khufu around 2558 and 2532 BC and built for Kahfre.The third major pyramid at Giza was the pyramid of Menkaure. Like the other two, it was constructed during the fourth dynasty of Old Kingdom Egypt. It was also the last pyramid built on the Giza Plateau and was built in honor and to hold the remains of Menkaure, who is thought to have been the grandson of Khufu.
There have been various theories as to who built the pyramids with a now widely accepted belief that the builders of the pyramids are known to be Egyptians and thus proven by excavated skeletons. It took an estimated 20,000 to 30,000 workers, along with a support staff, to build the pyramids at Giza with many living in nearby villages being over seen by the pharaoh’s supervisors. Some of these workers even left evidence in the form of graffiti on the walls of the pyramids indicating their loyalty to the pharaohs. It took more than manual labor to build the pyramids and help was derived from architects who maintained an accurate pyramid shape through design and measurement. Additional help included priests-astronomers who helped to chose the pyramids’ sites and orientations so that they would be on the suitable alliance with sacred constellations.(Roberts 73) For certain we know that whoever built the pyramids utilized expertise to cut, transport, and cement stones that does not even exist in today’s realm of technology.
Construction of the great pyramids encompasses various hypotheses. However, most are based on the thought that the pyramids were built by moving huge stones from a quarry, dragging them and lifting them into position. How the enormous blocks were elevated to the ever increasing height of the pyramid still does not have an affirmative answer, although the evidence points to use of ramps. ( Silverman 107) The base of the great pyramids forms a virtual perfect square with architects using techniques developed by earlier pyramid builders. They selected a location at Giza on a horizontal area that would serve as a solid rock foundation and upon careful surveyance of the land, the first plane would be laid with successive levels constructed one on top of the other.
With all of today’s modern architectural technology it is hard to envision that the creation of these magnificent pyramids could be plausible. Along with the monumental physical mechanics of building the pyramids was the as impressive achievement of overseeing the teams of foreman, workers, and abundance of supplies necessary to complete this enormous task; all within the framework and constraints of time. There remains no known written blueprint describing the building of the pyramids, and a majority of what is known was extracted from archaeological evidence. What is concrete is that the Egyptians were able to employ uncomplicated but efficient tools to excavate the stone, transport them to the pyramid site and position them in suitable locations.
As you can see, the Pyramids of Giza are a marvel of human construction and engineering, and their precipitous size and scale challenges any structure that has been built within the last few hundreds of years.(Clayton, Prince 89) They are a demonstration of human ingenuity and strength by their ideal proportions. They are truly awe-inspiring to behold.
The pyramids at Giza were built somewhere between 2700 and 2500 BC and were constructed to be used as tombs for the pharaohs as well as monuments to the pharaoh’s eminence. The Pyramid of Khufu, also known as the great pyramid at Giza, was built for King Khufus burial site. It was the largest of the three pyramids of Giza, and is the best known manmade structure in the world. It was not the first pyramid to be built yet it continues to remain intact for almost 4000 years. The second largest pyramid at Giza was Khafre and like the great pyramid, it was constructed by Khafre's father Khufu around 2558 and 2532 BC and built for Kahfre.The third major pyramid at Giza was the pyramid of Menkaure. Like the other two, it was constructed during the fourth dynasty of Old Kingdom Egypt. It was also the last pyramid built on the Giza Plateau and was built in honor and to hold the remains of Menkaure, who is thought to have been the grandson of Khufu.
There have been various theories as to who built the pyramids with a now widely accepted belief that the builders of the pyramids are known to be Egyptians and thus proven by excavated skeletons. It took an estimated 20,000 to 30,000 workers, along with a support staff, to build the pyramids at Giza with many living in nearby villages being over seen by the pharaoh’s supervisors. Some of these workers even left evidence in the form of graffiti on the walls of the pyramids indicating their loyalty to the pharaohs. It took more than manual labor to build the pyramids and help was derived from architects who maintained an accurate pyramid shape through design and measurement. Additional help included priests-astronomers who helped to chose the pyramids’ sites and orientations so that they would be on the suitable alliance with sacred constellations.(Roberts 73) For certain we know that whoever built the pyramids utilized expertise to cut, transport, and cement stones that does not even exist in today’s realm of technology.
Construction of the great pyramids encompasses various hypotheses. However, most are based on the thought that the pyramids were built by moving huge stones from a quarry, dragging them and lifting them into position. How the enormous blocks were elevated to the ever increasing height of the pyramid still does not have an affirmative answer, although the evidence points to use of ramps. ( Silverman 107) The base of the great pyramids forms a virtual perfect square with architects using techniques developed by earlier pyramid builders. They selected a location at Giza on a horizontal area that would serve as a solid rock foundation and upon careful surveyance of the land, the first plane would be laid with successive levels constructed one on top of the other.
With all of today’s modern architectural technology it is hard to envision that the creation of these magnificent pyramids could be plausible. Along with the monumental physical mechanics of building the pyramids was the as impressive achievement of overseeing the teams of foreman, workers, and abundance of supplies necessary to complete this enormous task; all within the framework and constraints of time. There remains no known written blueprint describing the building of the pyramids, and a majority of what is known was extracted from archaeological evidence. What is concrete is that the Egyptians were able to employ uncomplicated but efficient tools to excavate the stone, transport them to the pyramid site and position them in suitable locations.
As you can see, the Pyramids of Giza are a marvel of human construction and engineering, and their precipitous size and scale challenges any structure that has been built within the last few hundreds of years.(Clayton, Prince 89) They are a demonstration of human ingenuity and strength by their ideal proportions. They are truly awe-inspiring to behold.
Roberts, J.M. The New Penguin History of The World. New York: Penguin Books, 2004.
Silverman, David P. Ancient Egypt. New York: Oxford University Press, 2003.
Clayton, P. and Prince, M. The Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. New York: Barnes & Noble
Books, 1998.
