Located just 14 kilometres away from the capital city of Cairo, the Great Pyramid of Giza stands as the last remaining wonder of the ancient world. Yes, you read that right. The seven traditional wonders of the world were the Great Pyramid of Giza, the Colossus of Rhodes, the Lighthouse of Alexandria, the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, the Temple of Artemis, the Statue of Zeus at Olympia, and the Hanging Gardens of Babylon. Of these, only the Great Pyramid of Giza remains.
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Fun fact: Giza has three main pyramids: Khufu or the Great Pyramid (481 feet); Khafre (471 feet); and Menkaure (213 feet). Together they are called the Pyramids of Giza. Built roughly between 2700 BC to 2500 BC, the Great Pyramid continues to inspire awe and curiosity, not just for its immense size and architectural precision, but also for the mysteries that surround it.
The largest of three, the Great Pyramid, was built for Pharaoh Khufu and originally stood at 146.6 metres (481 feet), making it the tallest man-made structure in the world for over 3,800 years. The other two pyramids were built for Khufu’s successors: Pharaoh Khafre and Pharaoh Menkaure.
One of the most mysterious aspects of the pyramids is their construction. The sheer scale of the project, involving the transportation and assembly of millions of limestone blocks, some weighing as much as 80 tons, has led to numerous theories about how the ancient Egyptians managed such a feat. Traditional theories suggest that a massive workforce, possibly tens of thousands of skilled labourers, worked for decades to complete the pyramids. Some studies suggest they likely used ramps, levers, and ropes. But the exact methods remain a topic of debate.
This mystery fuels much of the intrigue surrounding the pyramids, as modern engineers still struggle to fully replicate or understand the techniques used.
While the pyramids are commonly understood to be tombs for the pharaohs, there are elements that suggest they served more complex purposes. Some theories propose that the pyramids were built as part of a grand religious complex, designed to ensure the pharaoh’s journey to the afterlife.
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Another mystery is the internal layout of the pyramids, which includes narrow passageways, chambers, and shafts. The Great Pyramid, for example, has three main chambers: the King’s Chamber, the Queen’s Chamber, and an unfinished underground chamber. The purpose of some of these chambers and the significance of their design remain unclear.
Interestingly, over the years, the pyramids have been the subject of countless theories, ranging from the plausible to the fantastical. One of the most famous alternative theories is that the pyramids were built with the help of extraterrestrials, a notion popularised by fringe theories and media. In simpler terms, the pyramids are so perfect in scale and precision that it almost seems like something beyond the capabilities of ancient humans and must have involved advanced technology. Aliens?
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The Pyramids of Giza are not only mysterious but also immensely popular, drawing millions of visitors each year. Their status as a UNESCO World Heritage site and their inclusion as one of the original Seven Wonders of the Ancient World contribute to their iconic status. To say that the pyramids are popular would be an understatement.
