12 Lesser Known Facts About the Pyramids of Giza
Built by the ancient Egyptian kings of the 4th dynasty, the Pyramids of Giza are one of Egypt's top attractions. Nestled on the sands of time in the Giza Necropolis, these pyramids are part of a cluster of ancient monuments that include the Great Pyramid, the Great Sphinx, and other fascinating finds. For thousands of years, they were the tallest man-made structures in the world, and today, they are both a UNESCO Heritage Site and one of the only Seven Wonders of the World!
Pyramids of Giza Facts
The Giza Pyramids Are Perfectly Aligned
The pharaohs of the 4th Dynasty believed that they were direct descendants of Ra and hence arranged the pyramids such that their corners pointed directly to the Temple of Ra at Heliopolis (in concert with the constellation Orion). It was this decision that led to the perfect alignment of the three Pyramids of Giza!
Six Million Tonnes of Brick Lifted With No Technology
2.3 million bricks weighing roughly 2.5 tonnes each were used in the construction of the Pyramids of Giza. But the mystery still remains as to how exactly the ancient Egyptians managed to lift and transport these bricks in an age where technology and heavy machinery didn’t even exist! What are your theories?
The Pyramids Were Built By Paid Workers, Not Slaves
Rumored to be built by slaves, based on the claims of the famous Greek historian Herodotus, the pyramids were, in fact, built by paid workers and professional builders, and archaeologists have even found evidence of worker cemeteries that were excavated close to the Pyramids of Khufu and Khafre, as well as in Luxor and the Valley of the Kings.
The Great Pyramid Had an Invisible Door
Legend has it that the Great Pyramid once concealed a colossal swivel door weighing a staggering 20 tons. Remarkably, this door could only be opened from the inside and remained entirely indiscernible from the outside. The ingenious opening mechanism was only brought to light after scientists began studying the Great Pyramid in detail!
The Construction Site Was Not A Random Pick
Although some ancient Egyptian pyramids are located in different places(like Saqqara), all others are found in Giza. And this was no coincidence! Giza was located on the West bank of the River Nile, which was regarded as the land of the setting Sun as well as the land of the dead, thus becoming burial tombs for pharaohs and kings as we know it!
The Pyramids Have Shrunk Over the Years
Over the course of thousands of years, erosion, coupled with looters who stripped these ancient beauties of their outer casings, has led to a noticeable decrease in the height of the Pyramids! The Great Pyramid of Khufu, which originally stood at 481 feet high, now reaches only 455 feet. Similarly, the Pyramid of Khafre, once towering at 471 feet, now stands at 448 feet. Lastly, the Pyramid of Menkaure, which was once at 218 feet, now measures 203 feet.
The Mystery Of The King’s Chamber
There is a granite coffer lying inside the main chamber of the Great Pyramid of Khufu. At first glance, you won’t notice anything out of the ordinary. But when you take a closer look, you realize that it is made of one solid huge piece of granite that cannot fit through the passageway that you just walked through. Was it brought in here, or was the Great Pyramid built around it? The mystery continues!
A Sultan Attempted To Destroy The Pyramids
During the 12th century, Al-Aziz Uthman, the second Ayyubid Sultan of Egypt, made an aborted attempt to demolish the Great Pyramids of Giza. Al-Aziz employed a massive crew of workmen to bring down Menkaure’s temple, but the cost, time, and sheer physical effort it would take to destroy the stones led to the job being scrapped within a year. The Sultan’s efforts, however, resulted in a vertical gouge left in the North face of the smallest pyramid, which you can still see!
The Pyramids of Giza Have Been Looted By Grave Robbers
The ancient pharaohs were often buried with gold, jewels, and other precious items that adorned their sarcophagi. This soon became the target of many tomb robbers who began to loot graves within just 500 years of the Pyramids being completed and sealed!
The Pyramids Used To Glitter In Sunlight
The ancient pyramids were polished with limestone casings that reflected the Sun’s rays. This gave passersby the illusion that the Giza Pyramids were glittering. Unfortunately, these casings have now either been destroyed by earthquakes, fallen off over time, or been looted by robbers.
Buy Your Pyramids of Giza Tickets
Frequently Asked Questions About Pyramids of Giza Facts
A. The pyramids of Giza were built by the three ancient Egyptian kings of the fourth dynasty - Khufu, Menkaure, and Khafre.
A. The Pyramids of Giza are one of the most recognizable and enduring monuments of ancient Egypt, and one of the oldest and grandest man-made structures in the world. They were built over 4500 years ago, and are still standing tall after all these years.
A. The Pyramids of Giza are located at the Giza Necropolis, Al Haram Street, Giza Governorate, Egypt.
A. Out of the three Pyramids of Giza, the oldest pyramid is the Great Pyramid. It was built in 2600 BC, which makes it about 4,500 years old.
A. The Great Pyramid of Giza is 451.4 feet tall; the Pyramid of Khafre is 448 feet high, and the height of the pyramid of Menkaure is 203 feet.
A. Pyramids are tombs for the Pharaohs that are large complexes with many chambers and rooms. Inside the Pyramids of Giza, you will find burial tombs, temples, King’s chambers, and more to explore.
A. Yes, visitors can enter all the three Pyramids of Giza, as well as a number of the Queen’s Pyramids. However, you might need to purchase additional tickets to gain entry.
A. Yes, the pyramids are open seven days a week from 8 AM - 5 PM in the summer and 8 AM - 4 PM in the winter.
A. Yes. Tickets to the Pyramids of Giza are available here.
