Interesting Facts About Pyramids Of Giza
Pyramids of Giza, located on the West Bank of the Nile in Egypt, are some of the most iconic structures ever built and are the only surviving ancient wonders of the world. It is believed that they were built around 2560 BC for the Pharaohs of the Fourth Dynasty of the Old Kingdom. They are also the oldest, largest, and most intact pyramids in the world.
From their incredible size and scale to the secrets that remain locked away within, there’s no shortage of interesting facts about Pyramids of Giza. Read on to discover the amazing stories behind these awe-inspiring structures.
30 Interesting Facts About Pyramids Of Giza
1. The pyramids of Giza were once covered in polished white limestone, which would have made them gleam in the sun.
2. The Great Pyramid of Giza is the oldest and largest of the three pyramids in the Giza complex and is the oldest of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
3. The Great Pyramid was built for Pharaoh Khufu and is believed to have been completed around 2560 BC.
4. The Great Pyramid of Giza is the only surviving ancient wonder of the world.
5. The Great Pyramid is estimated to have been constructed with around 2.3 million blocks of limestone, each weighing up to 2.5 tons.
6. The Great Pyramid is the tallest ancient structure in the world, with a current height of 138.8 metres.
7. The Great Pyramid is estimated to have taken 20 years to build and was constructed by an estimated 20,000 laborers.
8. The Great Pyramid was built at an incredibly precise angle of 51.5 degrees, which is an impressive feat for its time.
9. The Great Pyramid of Giza is one of the most accurately aligned structures in the world, facing true north with only 3/60th of a degree of error.
10. The pyramid is estimated to have been built using a complex system of ramps and levers.
11. The interior chambers of the Great Pyramid are made of granite, which is an incredibly hard rock.
12. The Great Pyramid is made up of three pyramids, the largest being the Great Pyramid of Khufu, followed by the Pyramid of Khafre and the Pyramid of Menkaure.
13. The Great Pyramid of Giza is estimated to have weighed 6.5 million tons.
14. The Great Pyramid is the only pyramid in Egypt that still has its original capstone, also known as the “Ben Ben”.
15. The Great Pyramid is believed to have been built as a tomb for Pharaoh Khufu, though the mummy of the Pharaoh has never been found.
16. The burial chamber of the Great Pyramid is located beneath the north side of the pyramid and is the only known chamber in the pyramid.
17. The Great Pyramid is located on the west bank of the Nile, which was believed to be the place of the afterlife in Ancient Egyptian religion.
18. The Great Pyramid was originally 146.5 metres tall, but its top has now eroded away over time.
19. The three pyramids of Giza are aligned perfectly with the constellation of Orion, though it is unclear if this was intentional.
20. The Pyramid of Khafre is estimated to have been built around 2520 BC and is the second largest pyramid in Giza.
21. The Pyramid of Khafre is believed to have been built for Pharaoh Khafre, the son of Pharaoh Khufu.
22. The Pyramid of Menkaure is the smallest of the three pyramids and is believed to have been built around 2490 BC.
23. The Pyramid of Menkaure is believed to have been built for Pharaoh Menkaure, the grandson of Pharaoh Khufu.
24. The Sphinx is located between the two smaller pyramids and is believed to have been built around 2500 BC.
25. The Sphinx is a limestone statue of a lion with a human head and is believed to have been built for Pharaoh Khafre.
26. The Great Pyramid is surrounded by several other smaller pyramids, known as the Queens’ Pyramids.
27. The Queens’ Pyramids were built for the wives and daughters of Pharaoh Khufu.
28. The Great Pyramid is estimated to contain around three million stone blocks weighing up to two and a half tons each.
29. The Great Pyramid is made up of two million blocks of limestone, one million blocks of granite, and two hundred thousand blocks of basalt.
30. The Great Pyramid is surrounded by three large tombs, known as the Valley Temples, which are believed to have been built for Pharaoh Khufu’s mother, wife, and daughter.
The pyramids of Giza are truly awe-inspiring structures that have captivated people for centuries. From their incredible size and scale to the secrets that remain locked away within, there’s no shortage of interesting facts about Pyramids of Giza. Whether you’re an Egyptologist or just an interested onlooker, these 30 facts are sure to leave you in awe of the incredible structures.