pyramids in Egypt

Egyptian Pyramid

The pyramids in Egypt may be one of the most recognizable historical architectural structures on Earth. One of the locations in which these pyramids are located is Giza. In Giza, one can find the Great Sphinx and the Great Pyramid. The Great Pyramid is considered to be one of the best-preserved Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Despite its is grandeur and its location, the Great Pyramid is unlike other pyramids that are located in the Giza necropolis.

The Great Pyramid, also called the Pyramid of Khufu or the Pyramid of Cheops, is the largest of the three great pyramids that is found in Giza. Originally, the Great Pyramid was about 480 feet high and composed of about 2.3 million stone blocks; each block weighs between 2.5 to 15 tons each and "had to be cut, transported, fashioned, and laid into place by hand" (National Geographic; Parker). Historically, pyramids are thought to have been built to house a pharaoh's body and his significant possessions after he passed away. These possessions were thought to have been stored in various burial chambers located inside the pyramid.

The Great Pyramid is thought to be "the centerpiece of an elaborate complex, which included several small pyramids, five boat pits, a mortuary temple, a causeway, a valley temple, and a many flat-roofed tombs for officials and some members of the royal family" (National Geographic). The Great Pyramid's builders "oriented [the] pyramid almost perfectly north," which could provide insight into the importance and significance of the monument.

One of the most astounding things about the Great Pyramid lies within its interior layout. The Great Pyramid has three different burial chambers and is unlike any other pyramid excavated. The interior of the Great Pyramid is composed of eleven basic structures: entrance, descending passageway, subterranean chamber, well shaft, ascending passageway, "Queen's" chamber, ventilation shafts, Grand gallery, antechamber, King's Chamber, and relieving chambers (Hawass). The subterranean chamber is located underground, almost directly beneath the apex of the pyramid and slightly off-centered from the King's chamber. The subterranean chamber can be accessed by the descending passageway and by a shaft that leads to the Grand gallery. The subterranean chamber appears to be unfinished. The "Queen's" chamber is located above the subterranean chamber within the pyramid structure. This chamber, although nicknamed the "Queen's" chamber, was not intended to house one of Khufu's wives, but rather is believed to have meant to hold a sacred statue of the Pharaoh; it is difficult to pinpoint the exact purpose of this chamber as the Great Pyramid, like many others, has been ransacked by grave robbers (National Geographic). The King's Chamber is located above the "Queen's" chamber and is accessible via the Grand Gallery, which is accessible via the ascending passageway that connects the Grand Gallery and "Queen's" chamber to the pyramid's entrance.

In the center of the King's chamber is located a granite sarcophagus, however, it is uncertain if there was a corpse interred inside the chamber as no mummy or grave "good" have been found inside the pyramid (Lohnher & Zuberbuhler). Given the physical dimensions of the King's chamber, it can be assumed that mathematical principles were highly prized among ancient Egyptians. While the height of the chamber is not a whole number, the diagonal measurements of the room are whole-numbered (Lohner & Zuberbuhler). Furthermore, given the dimensions and size of the sarcophagus, it is believed that the sarcophagus was transported to the pyramid while the monument was under construction.