Ponder the Pyramids of Giza
The ongoing debate about how the pyramids were built is a testament to the brilliance of its makers
- By Cate Lineberry
- Smithsonian magazine, January 2008, Subscribe
The Pyramids of Giza rise from the west bank of the Nile River almost as an act of defiance, perfectly symmetrical behemoths imposed upon a flat, barren landscape. The Great Pyramid—the oldest, largest and most famous of the monuments—is the last of the ancient world's "seven wonders" still standing. Built 4,500 years ago as a tomb for the fourth dynasty pharaoh Khufu, it once stood 481 feet high. Because thieves (who robbed the burial chambers) stripped the pyramids of their outer casings of polished white limestone, they no longer reach their original heights. Today the Great Pyramid stands at 450 feet.
Precisely how the Egyptians built these colossal structures is still a matter of debate. To construct the Great Pyramid, workers had to cut, haul and assemble 2.3 million limestone blocks, weighing on average more than two tons. Contrary to the long-held belief that the workers were slaves, Egyptologists now believe the pyramids were ancient public works projects (which, unlike modern public works projects, actually got finished).
Erected as a vanity effort by a ruthless pharaoh, the pyramids remain first and foremost a monument to the ingenuity of a remarkable civilization. As Jean-Pierre Houdin, a French architect who has studied the Great Pyramid for almost a decade, observes, "You don't build such a mountain of stones with so few people this size unless you have reached a very high level of knowledge in many sciences."
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Comments (16)
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Egypt is very nice place to visit . the oldest civilisation in the word .more than 5000 years . the pyramids , sphinks @ the river nile . the red sea is a differnt today you see the blue aqua colcor of the water is mazing . the waterb is the red sea is nice and clear specialy Hurghada & sharm alshekh . the egyption people is friendly the care about each other . anyone go to egypt he feel safe.
Posted by Hany N. Farag on April 23,2013 | 04:52 PM
It really needs more info.
Posted by Bob on April 23,2013 | 03:23 PM
Nice blog.i agree with the blogger,i just love the pyramids of giza.
Posted by na plots in satara on March 14,2013 | 02:02 AM
An article like this shouldn't have slipped past Smithsonian Magazine's editorial eye. It's terribly misinforming. The outer casing of the pyramids weren't stripped by "thieves (who robbed the burial chambers)." The casings and satellite pyramids were systematically quarried for building stone throughout Egypt's medieval period (Lehner, The Complete Pyramids, p.41). It's also a highly inaccurate judgment to deem the pyramids "a vanity effort by a ruthless pharaoh." Archaeological evidence from the adjacent pyramid village suggests the laborers were valued, skilled, and well fed; not subjects of a vain, ruthless tyrant. Inscriptions indicate the laborers took pride in their work.
Posted by Lucas Livingston on January 2,2013 | 09:28 PM
This doesn't describe the art in the pyramids and only a little bit of the mathmatical strcutures of the pyramid but it was still a very well writen report.
Posted by Selma on May 6,2012 | 02:35 PM
Geometric demonstration and discovery of a " geometric sacred boss " used very presumably in the construction of The Great Pyramid of Gizéh's plateau and his chance? Relation with the number "pi" (with a simple rule and / or compass) 2300 years B. Arquimedes (4600 years B.J.C.) for the farón Jufu-Keops. by PIRRAMIDES
Posted by Pirramides on February 1,2012 | 06:09 AM
I am doing an assignment of the pyramids of giza and this is the best site I have found so far!!!
Posted by Mallory Jean on August 9,2011 | 12:28 AM
Very Helpful information!
Posted by Mallory Jean on August 9,2011 | 12:27 AM
This is very helpful information. Thank you.
Posted by Omkar on November 14,2010 | 01:20 PM
I already know all of this info, but it is very good.
Posted by Your Face on November 14,2010 | 01:16 PM
I myself impressed and astonished with such a great engineering of 4500 years ago took place. As by fact people of egypt were very wise and had discovered the mathematics, science, astrology caused the Agriculture revolutions and Nile of river was the main reason for so great great civilization (Egypt is gift of Nile river).
At the present time people are thinking how people of egypt got some hardworking, wise, mathematics,science and those discoveries are still in used modern time especially mathematics(geometry, elementary and algebra)and science. If some body want to make trip to the pyramids of Giza can book cheap flights to egypt.
http://www.southalltravel.co.uk/Egypt/
thanks
Posted by sunil singh on August 11,2010 | 07:15 AM
The Pyramids at Giza wereno built by Khufu. They are far older than that. They likely were built around 10,500 BCE, the last tiem they would have been locked into Orion's belt
Posted by Greg on November 30,2009 | 01:58 PM
The pyramid of Giza is almos 3,800 years old
Posted by riley naillon on October 16,2009 | 12:06 PM
I'm doing a project for Social Studies and i need a pyramid to do a report on. I just need a photo of whats inside a pyramid. If you can help please write it above and write the website you got the photo on! Thank You SO Much!
Posted by Haleigh on September 19,2009 | 12:32 PM
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