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The Smithsonian Life List28 Places to See Before You Die |
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."
Comments
Nice information on the places. Wonderful collection of photos!
Posted by smrithi on January 17,2008 | 08:20PM
I am a Student trying to complete a assignment about the Great Pyramid of Giza. And this was all very helpful. Thanks.
Posted by Lilly on May 28,2008 | 02:04AM
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 | 09:32AM
The pyramid of Giza is almos 3,800 years old
Posted by riley naillon on October 16,2009 | 09:06AM