The oldest pyramid in the Giza complex is the Cheops Pyramid, widely known as the Great Pyramid of Giza. In the 26th century B.C., it was constructed specifically for the Pharaoh Khufu. It is the only one of the ancient world’s seven wonders preserved in its original form to the present day. Continue reading to find out more information about this ancient marvel.
If you are looking for an amazing experience that you will ever have in Egypt, check out Egypt travel packages
Where is the Cheops Pyramid?
The enormous Pyramid of Khufu is situated in Egypt, notably close to the city of Giza, Giza Complex. It is known as the Great Pyramid and the Great Pyramid of Giza, and its geographic placement at the same junction of the most extended lines of longitude and latitude, at 29 degrees and 58 minutes north and longitude 31 degrees and 09 minutes east, is quite remarkable. And among them is Khufu. The Khufu pyramid, regarded as the largest in Giza and distinguished by its exact geographic location within the latitude and longitude, was named one of the Seven Wonders of the World.
Who built the Cheops Pyramid?
The construction of this enormous pyramid was reportedly carried out by a large group of slave laborers—up to 20,000 individuals—over 20 years. It was finished in 2560 BC, during the reign of Pharaoh Khufu, and its intended use was as a repository for weapons and precious objects. It took 20,000 slaves 20 years to construct the enormous Khufu Pyramid, built in 2560 BC under the rule of Pharaoh Khufu.
How tall is the Cheops Pyramid?
The Khufu pyramid stood at 138 meters and was finished in 2560 BC. The Great Pyramid of Khufu had a foundation that was 227 meters tall and had sides that rose at an angle of 51.8 degrees. The pyramid of Khufu had a height of 147 meters when it was first constructed, but after its outer shell and lining were removed, its size was reduced by 9 meters.
Who is Khufu?
Khufu is the birth name of the ancient Egyptian pharaoh who ruled during the Fourth Dynasty of the Old Kingdom, around 2580 BC. Equally well known by the Hellenic name Cheops
Cheops Pyramid design:
Cheops Pyramid is the largest of the pyramids of Giza, which still exists today and is also intact. The design of the Khufu pyramid is distinctive and delicate design. The design details of the Cheops Pyramid are divided into internal and external structures as follows:
Cheops Pyramid design
The massive shape of the pyramid includes a rectangular base and four sloping sides that meet at the top, and the following describes them:
The base of the Cheops Pyramid has four edges
The average length of the edge is approximately 230.360 meters; The northern border has a height of 230,328 meters, the eastern boundary is 230.369 meters, the southern edge is 230,372 meters, and the western edge is 230,372 meters, with the most significant difference between them being only 4.4 centimeters.
The height of the pyramid of Cheops
The size of the pyramid is straight at present, and after being exposed to erosion factors a little, it is only 138.75 meters, while the lateral height of the inclined sides is 186.42 meters.
The Size of the Cheops Pyramid
The size of the Cheops Pyramid is enormous, as the total volume of the pyramid, Khufu is approximately 2,592,968.43 cubic meters.
Cheops Pyramid interior design
From the inside, the Cheops Pyramid contains several corridors, rooms, or rooms, each with a unique description and with different areas and sizes, as follows:
Queen’s Chamber
This room is located in the heart of the pyramid and is an unfinished room, and from the walls of this northern and southern room, two channels called air shafts (cylindrical channels that allow air to pass vertically) emerge.
The Grand Gallery
The so-called Great Gallery is located at the intersection of the ascending and descending corridors and is a high open-roof space.
King’s Chamber
It is a large room accessed through a common horizontal corridor at the gallery’s top. Inside this room, there is a massive granite sarcophagus without a cover only inside this large room.
Horizontal Passage
This corridor extends into the heart of the pyramid. It was filled with several blocks of granite, and its walls were of limestone; it ended in a small square and empty room, which later became the room called the Queen’s Chamber.
Descending Passage
This corridor is near the entrance to the pyramid from the north side, descends by 26 degrees, and is a narrow corridor.
Ascending Passage
At the end of the descending corridor, there is a point of intersection with another corridor called the ascending corridor. At that intersection, there are three granite stone blocks; this corridor curves 26 degrees upwards, leading to the grand plaza or gallery.
Top facts of Cheops Pyramid
- It is made up of 2,300,000 individual stone slabs and blocks: There are various possible weights for the blocks, ranging from 900 to 30,000 kg. Twenty degrees Celsius is the constant temperature that is maintained inside of it. Because it was covered with limestone, it acted like a gigantic mirror and reflected light in all directions.
- The chest of the Pharaoh was positioned there during the construction of the structure: It is impossible for the chest discovered in the Pharaoh’s chamber to have made its way through the narrow tunnels of the pyramid to get there; therefore, it must have been placed there during the construction process.
- This pyramid is symmetrical to the other two: Following the pattern of the stars that make up Orion’s Belt, the Cheops Pyramid, popularly known as the Giza Pyramid, is aligned with two other pyramids, namely the pyramids of Khafra and Menkaura. The entrance to the staircase that leads down the pyramid faces the pole star that is known as Alpha Draconis.
- It features revolving doors: Only two other pyramids, Huni and Snefru, have doors like this one: this one and this one. The first person was the son, the second was the father, and the third was the grandfather. The revolving door at Giza is quite simple to operate once you are inside, even though it weighs many tonnes, and it is impossible to locate once you are outside.
- Considered one of the “Seven Wonders of the World”: The Great Pyramid of Giza in Egypt is the only one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World that may still be seen today. In addition, it held the title of the highest building in the world for many hundreds of years, specifically up until the construction of the Eiffel Tower in 1889.
- The Cheops Pyramid was the tallest, but his figure was the tiniest: Even though the Great Pyramid of Giza is the largest, the statue of Cheops that was discovered was the tiniest of any pharaohs. The item is constructed of ivory and measures only 7.5 centimeters in length.
- It was not constructed by slave labor: Egyptologists have concluded that a large number of competent laborers were responsible for the construction of the pyramid. It was believed that thousands of enslaved people constructed the pyramid for a long time. Cheops’ nephew planned the building, and the Pharaoh lavished a great deal of money and effort on providing the laborers with high-quality clothing and provisions.
- Levers were used in its construction: Even though their construction has long been a mystery, it is known that the most straightforward manner may have been accomplished with levers made of wood or bronze. After the initial stage was built, a machine constructed out of logs was used to move the stones up to the subsequent steps.
- The inside of the pyramid is divided into three chambers: There are three distinct locations within it: the king’s chamber, the queen’s chamber, and the chamber that was never completed. However, specialists assert that there is a fourth chamber beneath the queen’s room and that this is where Cheops was laid to rest. Some people believe that Cheops was never really present in the pyramid.
- A boat was also discovered in that location: A well and an unarmed boat were discovered near the pyramid’s base. Both of these artifacts were later reassembled and put on display at a museum. The name of Dyedefra, son and heir of Cheops, was written in the stones covering the well. It is believed that Dyedefra was the one who placed the boat in that location.
Summary
On the Giza Plateau, the Great Pyramid of Giza was the very first pyramid to be constructed, and other pyramids followed in its footsteps. Over approximately 27 years, it was built to serve as a tomb for the ancient Egyptian pharaoh Khufu. Hemiunu, Khufu’s cousin and vizier, is thought to have been the individual responsible for designing the Great Pyramid.
Around 2560 B.C., the construction of the Great Pyramid was finally finished, and for the next 3,800 years and more, it held the title of the world’s most prominent artificial monument.
Don’t miss to check out our Pyramids of Giza, Memphis and Sakkara Day Tour