The Great Pyramid
When the Great Pyramid of Egypt was built it was 146 meters (480 feet) tall. Time has worn the pyramid down to 138 meters (455.4 feet) and it still continues to erode. The pyramid was once covered with limestone that was polished and believed to be left white. The sides of the pyramid are carefully positioned to point north, south, east, and west. The base of the pyramid has sides that measure 230.4 meters (755.9 feet) in length. It was designed so accurately, that the error of margin between the sides is less than 1 percent.
The Great Pyramid is made up of approximately two million blocks of limestone and slopes upward 51 °. Each block used to construct the pyramid is estimated to weigh more than two tons. It belonged to the pharaoh Khufu and once held his body; however, today the pyramid remains empty. The Great Pyramid is considered the last ancient wonder of the world standing today.
Khafre’s Pyramid
The second pyramid belongs to the pharaoh Khafre. Unlike the pyramid of Khufu, the angle of this pyramid is 53 ° and the pyramid stands 148.5 meters (470.5 feet) tall. This pyramid is 10 meters shorter than Khufu’s, though appears to be larger due to the height of the bedrock and stands on the northern side of the Giza Plateau. The top of this pyramid has a smooth limestone cap also giving it the illusion of being larger than Khufu’s pyramid too. Like Khufu’s pyramid, this tomb was also looted.
Menkaure’s Pyramid
The pyramid of Menkaure, or the third pyramid, is the smallest of the three pyramids. Its design is not as well detailed as the other two pyramids or is it as massive. Today it stands 66.5 meters (218 feet) and has an angle of 51 °. The base of this smaller pyramid is 108.5 meters (355.9 feet). The pyramid was not complete when Menkaure died so his son Shepseskaf took the task of finishing the project.
These pyramids may appear to be alone on
the Giza Plateau but are not. There are many other structures
that surround these massive tombs such boat pits, queens’
pyramids, mortuary temples, valley temples, mastabas, and the
sphinx.
Inside The Pyramid
Burial Chamber or King’s Chamber - Looking inside the Great Pyramid
The burial chamber consists of an empty sarcophagus (7.3 ft by 3.75 ft) with smooth walls and a polished ceiling. The floor is made with blocks of pink granite, which cover 60 square meters. This chamber is almost six meters tall, and was built by solid blocks of granite that weigh about 50 tons. The blocks were transported from Aswan from the south. Egyptologists conclude the sarcophagus was built inside the pyramid during construction. It would have been almost impossible to transport such a heavy stone structure in such a confined and narrow passage.
Egyptians designed this chamber to withstand tons of pressure from the top of the pyramid by building five low-roof chambers that are covered by impressive blocks of stone. This brilliant idea helped contain the room from crumbling inward and keeping it upright.
Grand Gallery
The Grand Gallery rises gradually to the King’s Chamber with a stepped hall. This hall is 49 meters long and is 11 meters tall. The walls are made of polished sand stone with roofing that overlaps stone blocks to create a stepped effect. Its remarkable architecture was thought to once be a ramp for large giant blocks said to seal the pyramid for eternal life. From the bottom of this hall one can choose to enter the Queen’s Chamber or proceed to the top and enter the King’s Chamber.
Shafts
The shafts are thought to have been built to allow air to proceed into the King’s Chamber. They extend about 146 meters outward and travel in a sloping path. It is thought that the shafts were built as a path to the stars, which allowed the pharaoh’s soul to escape. Although these shafts are more predominant in the King’s Chamber, some also exist in the Queen’s Chamber. The other two shafts that are present in the Queen’s Chamber do not exit the pyramid but rather stop midway. These shafts are believed to point to Sirius and Orion in the constellation.
Queen’s Chamber
This chamber is located under the King’s Chamber and is smaller. Its name has falsely led people into believing that this room once held the mummy of a queen. This chamber is closed to public and cannot be accessed by tourists for viewing.
Underground Chamber
The Grand Gallery rises gradually to the King’s Chamber with a stepped hall. This hall is 49 meters long and is 11 meters tall. The walls are made of polished sand stone with roofing that overlaps stone blocks to create a stepped effect. Its remarkable architecture was thought to once be a ramp for large giant blocks said to seal the pyramid for eternal life. From the bottom of this hall one can choose to enter the Queen’s Chamber or proceed to the top and enter the King’s Chamber.
Shafts
The shafts are thought to have been built to allow air to proceed into the King’s Chamber. They extend about 146 meters outward and travel in a sloping path. It is thought that the shafts were built as a path to the stars, which allowed the pharaoh’s soul to escape. Although these shafts are more predominant in the King’s Chamber, some also exist in the Queen’s Chamber. The other two shafts that are present in the Queen’s Chamber do not exit the pyramid but rather stop midway. These shafts are believed to point to Sirius and Orion in the constellation.
Queen’s Chamber
This chamber is located under the King’s Chamber and is smaller. Its name has falsely led people into believing that this room once held the mummy of a queen. This chamber is closed to public and cannot be accessed by tourists for viewing.
Underground Chamber
This is thought to be the oldest chamber
in the pyramid. This chamber was never fully completed and holds
very little oxygen. The low oxygen levels make it impossible to
burn lanterns and make it very difficult to breathe. One can
only imagine why this section of the pyramid was never
completed.
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