Heralded as one of the seven wonders of the Ancient world, the Great Pyramids of Giza are among the largest pyramids in Egypt. The pyramids house three main pyramids, the Pyramid of Khafre, the Pyramid of Menkaure and the Great Pyramid of Giza. All these gems are flaunts their mystical charm and draw visitors from far and wide. The marvellous engineering of these pyramids embrace many interesting facts about the great pyramids of Giza. Hence, capture the attention of history buffs and people with curious minds. If the ancient mysteries of Egypt excite you then set off on a captivating journey where we will unfold some well-kept secrets behind the majestic pyramids.
11 Interesting Facts About The Great Pyramids Of Giza
Let your eyes and senses delve into the fascinating history of Egypt and unveil some of the wonderful facts about the great pyramids of Giza. These facts are as follows:
1. Dated Back To The Reign Of King Khufu
One of the most interesting facts about the great pyramids of Giza is that it was assembled during the reign of King Khufu between 2589 and 2566 BCE. Honoured as the second king of the 4th dynasty of the Egypt region, King Khufu established many pyramids for himself, as well as for his queens. The Great Pyramid was his main establishment which he stated as his own grand tomb and wanted to be buried in it. The structure of the pyramids is awe-inspiring and captures the attention of people with curious minds and history buffs. When the pyramids were exposed, these were covered with smooth casing stones that offered visitors a truly mesmerising view to behold. The pyramids of Giza are among the best places to visit in Egypt.
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2. Two Pyramids Are Dedicated To Khufu’s Son And Grandson
As he built the Great Pyramid for himself, he also established two more pyramids, one for his son and one for his grandson. The pyramid of Khafre is named after his son Khafre and is recognised as the second-tallest pyramid in Giza. It was built as a tomb for Khufu’s son who took over the throne after the death of his father. The third pyramid is the Pyramid of Mankaure which is known as the smallest pyramid in Giza. It is dedicated to Khufu’s grandson and Khafre’s son. One of the amazing facts about the Great Pyramids of Giza is that, later, the sculptures and ruins were found in the tomb revealing the untold mysteries of the region. However, these pyramids are said to be tombs but no mummies or graves have been found to date.
3. The Construction Took 20 Years To Complete
One of the astonishing facts about the great pyramids of Giza is that it took almost 20 years to complete the stunning structure of the pyramids. However, it is still a question that how many workforces were actually involved in the development of these great structures. Another argument is on the fact that they were skilled workers or just a clan of slaves. These mysteries add an extra dose of excitement in the minds of travellers to come and witness this impressive site full of secrets. You will be wondering knowing that over two million people come and admire the amazing construction of the Giza pyramids every year from all over the world.
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4. Surrounded By Numerous Wonderful Structures
Surrounded by amazing structures from every corner, the Pyramid of Giza enchants the tales of the region’s history and leaves the visitors speechless. You can also witness the tomb of Queen Hetepheres, the Khufu’s mother, his wives and other relatives. The Great Pyramid is also encircled by mastabas where the graves of the king’s supporters and relatives are buried.
5. Excavated By Sir William Flinders Petrie
It is one of the wonderful facts about the great pyramids of Giza that it was first excavated by Sir William Flinders Petrie in 1880. Known as a British archaeologist, he has run many archaeological operations in Egypt and resolved many historical mysteries from the ancient remains and pyramids, especially in Giza. For his incredible work, he was also rewarded with the title of knight in the year 1923.
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6. The Pyramid Was Looted
It is believed that the Great Pyramid had a great amount of ancient tressure which was looted even before the arrival of Petrie. Looting was actually rather widespread in ancient Egypt, whether it was done as retaliation, during bad times financially, or by the deceased’s own family. As the kings were considered the deity Horus in human form, their treasure and other belongings were perceived by their descendants without even thinking twice.
7. Houses Three Mysterious Chambers
Housing three chambers and a high-ceilinged hallway, the Great Pyramids of Giza has a lot to tell about its folklore. These three chambers are the Queen’s Chamber, the King’s Chamber and an unfinished subterranean chamber. The King’s and Queen’s chambers are located higher up in the construction, while the incomplete chamber was dug into the bedrock. There is still an argument whether these tunnels were really for air circulation or rather for ritualistic purposes related to the ascension of the king’s spirit to the heavens. Unlocking the mysterious tunnel is one of the interesting facts about the great pyramids of Giza.
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8. The Marvellous Engineering Of Pyramids
Knowing about the stunning engineering of pyramids is among the interesting facts about the great pyramids of Giza. The structure was recognised as the tallest man-made structure until the 19th century. Furthermore, it is astonishing that without any high-tech machine and advanced tools, a marvellous structure had been established which is still standing today gracefully. Not only this, the structure was made using over 2 million stone blocks, each weighing from 5 to 10 tons. The pyramids have a mass weight of 5.9 million tons, 2.5 million cubic meters volume and 203 steps.
9. Mystery Of Coffer
Unfolding the mystery of Coffer which is present inside the pyramid is among the interesting facts about the great pyramids of Giza to know. Although you won’t find anything strange about it at the fight sight. However, when you observe it in-depth, you will feel that it is too large to be an entrance passage. Unfortunately, till the present, there is no theory to tell behind it.
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10. Location And Temperatures Miracle
You might be wondering knowing that the location of these pyramids has its own story to tell. It is located exactly in the centre of the planet’s landmass according to a discovery made in 1877. It is one of the most interesting facts about the great pyramids of Giza. Furthermore, another study reveals that the location of the pyramids is located exactly where the sunsets. However, the masterwork and theory behind the construction are still unknown. Moreover, another one of the great pyramids of Giza is its temperature miracle which remains 20°C no matter what is the time of the year.
11. Were Adorned With A Limestone Exterior
The scholar stated that today, we are only observing the core or base structure of the pyramids of Giza. Before, it was adorned with a limestone structure which disappeared. It was because of an earthquake that occurred during the 14th century. It never went into repairing, hence, it had lost its glorious structure.
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Holding countless mysteries, the pyramids of Giza are known for their precise alignment with the cardinal points and for their marvellous construction. These above-mentioned interesting facts about the great pyramids of Giza will surely add an extra dose of excitement to your visit. On your next trip to Egypt, don’t let these pyramids slide away from your itinerary.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Facts About The Great Pyramids of Giza
Why are the pyramids of Giza famous?
Constructed by the following pharaohs, Khufu, Khafre, and Menkaure, the pyramids of Giza are the 3 ancient tombs dating back to the old kingdom of Egypt. They were constructed as pharaohs' resting spots and emblems of authority.
What is inside the pyramids of Giza?
Khufu’s stone sarcophagus remains inside the Great Pyramid of Giza, which served as his final resting place. Like previous Egyptian aristocrats’ tombs, it served four basic purposes. It protected and stored the deceased’s body. It illustrates the deceased’s and his family’s situations.
Can we go inside the pyramids of Giza?
Yes, the pyramids of Giza are open to the public and you need to buy separate tickets for entry. First, the entry was free but now you have to purchase tickets to visit the tombs.
Who built the pyramids of Giza?
The construction of the Giza pyramids was started by Pharaoh Khufu, the first Egyptian king, sometime around 2550 B.C.
What are the 5 fun facts about the great pyramids of Giza?
Here are some of the interesting facts about the great pyramids of Giza:
- The sides of the pyramid are aligned perfectly with the four cardinal directions.
- Prior to the construction of the Eiffel Tower in 1889, it was the tallest manmade structure for millennia.
- The pyramid's base is level to within inches, and the sides have only a fraction of an inch difference in length.
- Inside the pyramid are three main chambers: the King's Chamber, the Queen's Chamber, and the Subterranean Chamber.
- Researchers have been fascinated by the corridors and shafts found within the Great Pyramid for centuries.
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