The second largest pyramid in Giza. The Great Pyramids of Giza (Egyptian Pyramids) and the Great Sphinx are a legacy of the Old Kingdom. Egyptian pyramids: interesting facts
The Pyramids of Giza are the oldest tourist attraction on our planet and iconic symbols of ancient Egyptian civilization. The largest of them, the Great Pyramid, consists of 2.3 million stone blocks. No one knows for sure how exactly the multi-ton blocks were installed in place, but what is certain is that it retained the title of the tallest structure in the world for more than 3,800 years (before construction cathedral in Lincoln, about 1300). Moreover, the Great Pyramid is the only one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World to survive. Today it is considered the most massive building built in the entire history of mankind - an amazing achievement by its builders, achieved 4,500 years ago! Hanging Gardens Babylon no longer hangs, the Colossus of Rhodes disappeared to the bottom of the sea several thousand years ago, other wonders ancient world crumbled to dust, but famous pyramids Giza continues to stand and attract the interest of millions of tourists from all over the world.
Great Pyramid
The Great Pyramid of Khufu at Giza is the largest of all the pyramids Ancient Egypt. Khufu (Cheops in Greek) was a pharaoh of the 4th Dynasty and reigned for 23 years, from 2589 to 2566 BC. e. The Great Pyramid is amazing in its size and mathematical precision, representing the apogee of the construction of the most famous monuments of ancient Egyptian civilization.
The largest pyramid in the entire history of construction consists of 2.3 million stone blocks, the average weight is 2.5 tons, the maximum is 15 tons. The blocks fit together so tightly that the entire monument was built without the use of mortar. Based on the number of stone blocks (2.3 million units) and the construction time (20 years), a new block was installed every five minutes.
The Great Pyramid of Giza looked very different when it was completed than it does today. The surface of the structure was covered with polished white slabs, which are no longer present. The top was crowned with a pyramidal stone, also missing at present. Having lost the lining and the “cap,” the height of the pyramid decreased to 138.75 meters (it was 146.5), the length at the base was 225 meters (it was 230.33).
To enter the center of Khufu's pyramid, you must walk through a low, poorly lit corridor. Having crossed halfway, you enter the Gallery with a length of 47 m and a ceiling height of 8.5 m (photo below). The gallery leads to the tomb of the pharaoh (second photo from the bottom), in which only the sarcophagus of Cheops remains. The rectangular walls are 5 meters wide, 11 meters long, and 6 meters high, made of red granite. The Pharaoh's chamber was isolated from thieves using shifted granite blocks. However, this did not prevent it from being plundered.
If you still have strength, there are two more chambers inside. The easiest way to go is to the queen's chamber, which probably never contained the queen's body. The third chamber is located underground, almost 160 meters below the top of the pyramid and 90 meters below the pharaoh's chamber.
Archaeologists have discovered two underground storage facilities for Solar Boats near the Pyramid of Khufu. After death, the pharaoh on the Solar Boat must go on a journey along the celestial Nile with the sun god Ra. The Solar Boat discovered by archaeologists consisted of 1,224 separate parts. It took 14 years to reconstruct it and is now on display at the Solar Boat Museum near Great Pyramid(on the picture). The dimensions of the boat are impressive: 43 meters long and 6 meters wide.
Pyramid of Khafre in Giza
Khafre was a 4th Dynasty pharaoh and reigned for 27 years, from 2558 to 2532 BC. Khufu's son, Khafre, tried to outdo his father's burial complex. And he succeeded. Although his pyramid is 3 meters shorter and 15% smaller in volume, built on a high mound, it appears significantly taller than his father's.
The internal structure of Khafre's pyramid is much simpler. The two entrances connect internally (one goes down below the base of the pyramid, the other starts higher). A long corridor (top photo) leads directly to the burial chamber (bottom photo). There is nothing else in the burial chamber except a sarcophagus made of black granite. The lower passage leads to another chamber, perhaps intended for the queen.
Near the Pyramid of Khafre there are two sanctuaries: the Mortuary Temple and the Welcoming Temple. They are connected to each other by a laid embankment almost 500 meters long. Both are built from megalithic blocks (the largest weighs about 400 tons) covered with red granite. The Welcoming Temple has been preserved in good condition; the Mortuary Temple remains mostly in ruins.
Pyramid of Menkaure at Giza
Perhaps due to increased construction costs or other reasons, all subsequent pyramids were built on a small scale. The size of the pyramid of Menkaure is only one tenth that of the similar monument of Khafre. High-quality stone and granite were used in its construction, which distinguishes it from other pyramids built from poor quality limestone. Sultan Osman ibn Yusuf was convinced of the strength of the walls of the pyramid of Menkaura, who tried to destroy it at the end of the 12th century, but after 8 months of unsuccessful efforts he retreated.
The burial chambers of Menkaure are not entirely interesting to visit: if the first chamber has traces of decoration, then further down you will see only rough stone walls. There are four cameras inside, which is quite unusual (photo below right). Scientists have no definite idea for what purpose they built so much. The dark sarcophagus is no longer in Menkaure's burial chamber (photo below left). It lies at the bottom of the sea after the ship carrying it, the Beatrice, sank in 1838 on its way to England.
After Pharaoh Menkaure, the construction of pyramids continued, but on a much smaller scale. The center of construction from Giza moved to Saqqara and Abusir.
Sphinx
The Great Sphinx of Giza is depicted with the body of a lion and the head of a man. This is the largest monolithic statue in the world (length 73.5 m, width 6 m, height 20.2 m).
The Sphinx is one of the most interesting monuments of Ancient Egypt, primarily because no one can say a specific purpose for the construction of this huge sculpture. The most likely theory states that the Sphinx served as protection for the two great pyramids of Cheops and Khafre.
Over time, the pharaohs began to view the Sphinx as a holder of royal power, so the rulers of Ancient Egypt often presented him with donations. It all started with Prince Thutmose IV, who dreamed that if he cleared the Sphinx of sand, he would become a pharaoh. When this happened, Pharaoh Thutmose IV built a donation stele in front of the Sphinx.
Over the past few thousand years, the monument has been covered with sand several times. In 1905, the statue was finally cleared of sand. Today the monument is in constant need of repairs. The sandstone from which the Sphinx is carved is quite soft and easily destroyed by time. In addition, the Sphinx is rotting from the inside, likely due to rising groundwater levels and environmental pollution. The popular theory that Napoleon’s soldiers knocked off the statue’s nose is not at all true: it was lost long before the famous Frenchman was born.
Plunder
Even at the design stage, Egyptian architects tried to prevent thieves from entering the Giza pyramids. For this purpose, the passages were blocked with huge granite blocks, and false chambers and entrances were created. Despite these tricks, the robbers turned out to be more cunning and without exception, all the tombs of the Egyptian kings were plundered.
Pyramids of Giza: useful information
In almost any hotel in Giza you can purchase tickets for organized tours to the pyramids.
Near the pyramids there are two ticket offices: the first is located next to the main entrance, the second is near the Sphinx.
To visit the pyramids you will need an additional ticket. The number of visits inside the pyramids of Cheops and Khafre is limited to 300 tickets: 150 at 08:30 am and the rest after 13:00.
Inside the pyramids it is very hot, humid, the corridors are dusty, it is difficult to move, and those who have heart or lung problems should not go inside. For those who are not afraid of such conditions, visiting the pyramids will be a very interesting and educational activity. Seeing the internal walls and passages with your own eyes will help you better understand the achievements of the builders of these ancient structures.
Taking photographs inside the pyramids is prohibited.
It is best to start your visit in the morning at the time of opening; you will have the opportunity to explore the pyramids in relative peace. Then buses of tourists begin to arrive; in addition, the intense daytime heat in the summer is unlikely to allow you to fully enjoy the visit.
The Pyramids of Giza are a major tourist attraction in Egypt, attracting millions of tourists every year. They also attract a large number of scammers. Even as you approach the central gate, young people will approach you and shock you with the news that they won’t let you in without a guide (don’t worry, they will let you in), or that you need a horse or a camel, which you can’t do without (you can do it easily).
Avoid the temptation to take a camel ride around the pyramids, these tours are clearly overpriced. In principle, you can book similar trips much cheaper in other places in Egypt.
If you decide to ride a horse or camel, first of all agree on the price, and do not pay in advance until you get what you agreed on. If you pay in advance, your horse will go lame after a couple of meters, and you will need another one, but for an additional fee. Discuss all travel conditions in detail. The arrogance of pet owners knows no bounds. For example, after making a trip, you will be asked for an additional fee in order to help get off the camel onto the ground.
Gives way to the hot Libyan desert, on the Giza plateau, before the eyes of heat-exhausted travelers, the Egyptian pyramids with the main pyramid of Cheops appear - the only one of the Seven Wonders of the World that has survived to this day.
Predecessors of the pyramids
Even the first dynasties of the pharaohs were preoccupied with their afterlife. They found their final refuge in mastabas - funeral buildings with a trapezoidal structure above the ground and underground storage. To the Arabs they resembled large benches, hence the name.
The oldest pyramid
Later, ancient architects designed pyramids based on the principle of the World Mountain - the mythological center of the universe. The first structure of the stepped type was the 62 m high pyramid of Djoser in Saqqara, erected in 2650 BC. e. priest of Pharaoh Djoser Imhotep. It consisted of several mastabas placed on top of each other. The designer was deified by his grateful fellow tribesmen - upon completion of construction, he bore the proud title of the son of the patron of arts and crafts, the god Ptah.
Who built the pyramids
The ambitious pharaohs liked this cover for the tomb most of all - it emphasized their greatness and inspired awe in their descendants. Again, the shape of the World Mountain subtly recalls the divinity of the ruler. Subsequently, the construction of pyramids began almost from the very first day of his reign - the construction of a huge building took ten to twenty years, and not every pharaoh could live that long. There is an opinion that the pyramids were built by slaves and captives, but this is not so - peasants were involved in the construction outside of seasonal work. The historian Herodotus, who visited Egypt in 445 BC, also wrote about this. e. And unfree people could not even touch places of worship.
The Egyptians, for example, built the Pyramid of Cheops. This largest ancient monument in the Giza necropolis was the tallest building on Earth for 3,000 years - until Lincoln Cathedral was built in England (1311). Presumably, the architect Hemiun, who managed the construction of Pharaoh Cheops, completed the work in 2540 BC. e. The dimensions amaze the imagination of even a modern person: the base is 230 m, the height is 146 m (before the earthquake in the 13th century, now it is 138 m). It is interesting that the final resting place of the despot Cheops is not mentioned in any papyrus. As sunlight moves through the day, the walls of the pyramid seem to become concave - and not a single physicist can explain this phenomenon. They also cannot give a clear answer as to how, using the technology of that time, the Egyptians were able to build the upper part of the structure, because each block weighs about 2.5 tons! The solar boat is also a mystery - a boat made of cedar without a single place for fastenings. You will inevitably think about the extraterrestrial origin of the pyramids.
In company with the Sphinx
The second largest pyramid of Khafre (Khafra), the son of Cheops, is slightly inferior in height to its predecessor (136 m), but no less titanic labor was invested in its construction. The greatness of these two buildings is emphasized by the modest small pyramid of Mikerin (Menkaure), the grandson of Cheops, - only 62 m in height. The ensemble of the Giza pyramids is vigilantly guarded by the strict Great Sphinx. The facial features of this mythological creature with the head of a man and the body of a lion are somewhat reminiscent of Khafre. The Sphinx looks directly east, oblivious to the annoying tourists. According to the beliefs of the Egyptians, the lion is a solar deity, and the pharaoh, as the deputy of the god Ra on earth, should merge with the luminary after death, bestowing all sorts of favors on his descendants, such as a good harvest.
The Curse of the Egyptian Pyramids
Over the centuries, the descendants of the pharaohs lost their reverence: after the revolution pyramids of giza were plundered by vandals, all the goods found were taken out and divided. Part building material went to the construction of new religious buildings - mosques. To be fair, the pharaohs themselves slowly dismantled the tombs of their predecessors for immediate needs.
It is difficult to come to terms with the fact that the pyramids essentially only cover the sarcophagi of the rulers of Egypt - it is human nature to look for mystical meanings. Journalists made guesses, conducted investigations, scientists got to the bottom of things and put forward semi-scientific versions. The American writer Lovecraft drew inspiration for his plots from this theme, describing horrors on the verge of science fiction. Hollywood made films filled with ingenious traps and curses that the thieves of the pharaoh's property faced. But by now passions have subsided; the pyramids are not yet in a hurry to join the race of sensational discoveries. They are protected. They are world famous. They are going to see them. And the Egyptians are accustomed to a steady flow of tourists and are proud pyramids of Giza and are always ready to welcome guests.
We can only admire the titanic works of ancient craftsmen and admire the objects that are under the care of UNESCO.
ETHNOMIR, Kaluga region, Borovsky district, Petrovo village
At all times, humanity has created grandiose works of architectural art that amaze and delight dozens of generations of descendants. But today these structures need protection and careful treatment.
The exhibition of models presents ETNOMIR guests with miniature copies of buildings under UNESCO protection. The exhibition is located on the second floor of the Peace Street pavilion “Around the World”, above Peoples’ Friendship Square. Here you can admire the Pyramids of Giza and the Japanese Himeji Palace, the Chinese " forbidden city» Gugun and the Aztec Pyramid of the Sun, the Bavarian Neuschwanstein Castle and the French Chateau Chambord, the Indian Mahabodhi Temple and the Roman Pantheon, Tower of London and the Moscow Kremlin. Miniature models are made from high-quality polymer material by Chinese craftsmen to a special order from ETNOMIR.
Come get acquainted with the world at ETNOMIR!
3. Architecture of the pyramids at Giza.
The Egyptian pyramids are the greatest architectural monuments of Ancient Egypt, among which one of the “seven wonders of the world” is the Pyramid of Cheops. Pyramids are huge pyramid-shaped stone structures that were used as tombs for the pharaohs of Ancient Egypt. A total of 118 pyramids have been discovered in Egypt.
The Great Pyramids are the pyramids of the pharaohs Cheops, Khafre and Mikerin located in Giza, near Cairo. Pyramids have a geometric, pyramidal shape. These pyramids date back to the IV Dynasty. The walls of the pyramids rise at an angle from 51° (Pyramid of Menkaure) to 53° (Pyramid of Khafre) to the horizon. This angle embodies the mathematical value of the number “π” in the pyramid (at an angle of 51-53°, the ratio of the semi-perimeter of the base of the pyramid to its height, with an accuracy of 4%, is equal to the ratio of the circumference to its diameter). The edges are precisely oriented to the cardinal points. The Pyramid of Cheops was built on a massive natural rock elevation, which was located in the very middle of the base of the pyramid. Its height is about 9 m.
The biggest is the Pyramid of Cheops. Initially, its height was 146.6 m, but due to the fact that the cladding of the pyramid is now missing, its height has now decreased to 138.8 m. The length of the side of the pyramid is 230 m. The construction of the pyramid dates back to the 26th century BC. e. Presumably, construction lasted more than 20 years.
The pyramid is made up of 2.3 million stone blocks that were fitted together with unsurpassed precision. No cement or other binders were used. On average, the blocks weighed 2.5 tons, but in the King's Chamber there are granite blocks weighing up to 80 tons. The pyramid is an almost monolithic structure - with the exception of several chambers and corridors leading to them.
According to Herodotus, who was the first to describe the pyramids of Giza in detail, 100,000 slaves were employed in the construction of the Cheops pyramid. Perhaps the pyramids were erected by peasants who were free from field work during the Nile floods. The construction of the pyramids was apparently a kind of labor obligation - in the form of a state tax. The builders received payment for their work.
Each of the pyramids was not a single monument, but was part of a funerary complex, which included a funeral underground temple, a connecting gallery and a funerary temple in the valley.
The Great Pyramid consists of three chambers, which corresponded to the three stages of its construction. Pharaoh wanted to have a ready-made tomb at his disposal at any time.
First camera hewn out of the rock at a depth of approximately 30 m below the base, it is not located exactly in its center.
The area of the chamber is 8 x 14 m, height - 3.5 m. This chamber, like the second, remained unfinished.
Second camera is located in the core of the pyramid, exactly below its top, at a height of about 20 m above the base of the structure. Its area is 5.7 x 5.2 m. Vaulted ceiling reaches a height of 6.7 m. Previously, it was called the tomb of the queen.
Third chamber was the tomb of the pharaoh. She is the only one of all three that is complete. It was in this room that the sarcophagus was found. This chamber was built at a height of 42.2 m above the base, slightly south of the axis of the pyramid. The length of this room from east to west is 10.4 m, from north to south - 5.2 m. The ceiling height reaches 5.8 m.
Two more great pyramids - Pyramid of Khafre (Khafre) and Pyramid of Mikerin(Menkaura) - erected by the heirs of Cheops, the pharaohs of the IV dynasty.
Pyramid of Khafre- the second largest ancient Egyptian pyramid. Located next to the Great Sphinx, as well as the pyramids of Cheops (Khufu) and Mikerin in Giza. Built in mid. XXVI century BC e. the structure (215.3 × 215.3 m and height 143.5 m) was named Urt-Khafra (“Khafra the Great” or “Revered Khafra”).
Internal structure of Khafre's pyramid relatively simple. Two chambers and two entrances on the north side, one at about 15 meters in height, the other below it, at the base level. Nowadays one enters the pyramid from the upper entrance along a corridor, which levels out at the very base and leads to the burial chamber. The corridor leading from the lower entrance first descends to a depth of ten meters, and after a short flat section rises again and leads to the upper corridor; on the side it has a branch into a small chamber that remains unfinished. The burial chamber is located approximately on the axis of the pyramid; it extends 14.2 meters from east to west, 5 meters from north to south, and its height is 6.8 meters.
Pyramid of Mikerin- the southernmost, latest and lowest of the three Egyptian pyramids at Giza. It barely reaches 66 m in height, and the length of the side of its base is 108.4 m. Its volume of 260,000 m³ is only a tenth of the volume of the Khufu pyramid: it was the end of an era great pyramids. The interior of the pyramid reveals a lack of unity in plan: probably the original modest dimensions, not intended for the heir to the throne, were increased with his accession.
4. Sound absorption coefficients, materials and structures.
Acoustic materials and products according to their intended purpose are divided into:
sound-absorbing, intended for the internal lining of rooms and devices in order to create the required sound absorption in them;
soundproofing materials designed to insulate against structural (impact) noise;
soundproofing materials designed to insulate from air masses.
Sound energy falling on the fence is partially reflected from it, partially absorbed, turning into heat, and partially passes through it. Materials that have the ability to primarily absorb sound energy are called sound-absorbing.
These materials must be highly porous. If it is desirable to have closed pores in heat-insulating materials, then in sound-proofing materials they should be interconnected and possibly smaller in size. Such requirements for the structure of soundproofing materials are caused by the fact that when a sound wave passes through the thickness of the material, it causes the air contained in its pores to vibrate; small pores create greater resistance to air flow than large ones. The movement of air in them is slowed down, and as a result of friction, part of the mechanical energy is converted into thermal energy.
The sound-absorbing properties of materials are also influenced by their elasticity. In products with a flexible deformable frame, additional losses of sound energy occur due to the active resistance of the material to forced vibrations under the influence of incident sound waves.
Sound-absorbing materials include those that have a sound absorption coefficient of at least 0.4 at a frequency of 1000 Hz
According to the degree of rigidity, sound-absorbing materials are: hard, soft, semi-hard.
Hard materials are produced on the basis of granulated or suspended mineral wool; materials that include porous aggregates such as pumice, expanded perlite, vermiculite. Sound absorption coefficient: 0.5. Volumetric mass: 300-400 kg/m3.
Soft sound-absorbing materials made from mineral wool or fiberglass; as well as cotton wool, felt, etc. Sound absorption coefficient: from 0.7 to 0.95. Volumetric mass: up to 70 kg/m3.
Semi-rigid materials- these are mineral wool or fiberglass boards, materials with a cellular structure - polyurethane foam, etc. Sound absorption coefficient: from 0.5 to 0.75. Volumetric mass: from 80 to 130 kg/m3
Soundproofing materials designed to protect against impact noise, represent porous cushioning materials with a low elastic modulus (pressed cork in a roll - rolls made of polyethylene foam). Their sound insulation ability from impact noise is due to the fact that the speed of sound propagation in them is much lower than in dense materials with a high elastic modulus. Thus, the speed of propagation of sound waves in steel is 5050, in reinforced concrete - 4100, in wood - 1500, in cork - 50, and in porous rubber - 30 meters per second.
Elastic pads are placed between the load-bearing floor slab and the finished floor.
Soundproofing materials, intended for insulation from airborne noise. Reducing the level of airborne noise is carried out by installing walls, partitions, and ceilings. The soundproofing ability of fences is proportional to the logarithm of the mass of the structure. Therefore, massive structures have greater sound insulation ability from airborne noise than lightweight ones. Since constructing heavy fences is not economically feasible, proper sound insulation is ensured by constructing two- or three-layer fences, often with air gaps, which are recommended to be filled with porous sound-absorbing materials. It is desirable that the structural layers have different rigidity and tightness, since the latter increase the degree of sound insulation.
By appearance (shape) acoustic materials There are loose, piece (tiles, rolls, mats).
Based on their structure and type of porosity, they are divided into three groups:
1. Fiber frame materials(mineral wool, asbestos, fiberboard, wood fiber, particle board, felt).
2. Cellular materials, obtained by expansion or foam method (cellular concrete, foam glass).
3. Mixed structure, for example, acoustic plasters made using porous aggregates (expanded perlite, expanded vermiculite).
Among all the many attractions of Ancient Egypt, the Pyramids of Giza are considered the most important.
The Pyramids of Giza were built during the reign of the 4th Dynasty pharaohs (around 2550 BC) presumably as tombs for kings and queens. However, the tradition of building these majestic structures is also applied not only during the Old Kingdom, but also during the Middle Kingdom. The architecture of Ancient Egypt is represented by 90 pyramids, the main of which are the Pyramids of Giza, which are located on the edge of the capital Cairo. The largest in the world - the Pyramid of Cheops, towering above the plateau is one of the most ancient and untouched by historical and cultural monument. After its completion, the pyramid became one of the "Seven Wonders of the World", the only one remaining in the world. For 4,300 years, the Pyramid of Cheops was the most tall building on the ground. In 1889 her place was taken by Eiffel Tower in Paris.
The pyramid is built entirely from limestone. Scientists have still not been able to find out by what mechanisms this grandiose pyramidal complex of Egypt was built. During its construction, 1,300,000 stone blocks weighing from 2.5 to 15 tons were used. The length of its base is 230 m. The four sides of the Cheops Pyramid look at the four cardinal directions at an angle of 52 degrees. The original height of the Pyramid was 146.5 m, but today it is only 137 m. The Pyramid lost 9 meters in height due to the fact that the limestone covering and casing stones that were on the top were removed from the pyramid and used by those in power in Egypt Turks and used in the construction of houses and mosques in Cairo. The Cheops pyramid has two exits. Both of them are located in its northern part: one is the main one and the second is 17 m above ground level.
Heart of the Cheops Pyramid
In XI, the treasure hunter Caliph el-Mamun suggested that there were countless treasures inside the pyramid and sent masons to open the entrance to it. They dug a tunnel into the pyramid, which deviates from the original entrance and connects with it after 35 m. They found nothing inside the pyramid: the tombs of the pharaohs were plundered in ancient times. Currently, tourists use the Mamun entrance to move through the tunnels to the king's chamber.
Note for tourists:
Please note that if you are planning a tour inside the Cheops Pyramid, you will have to walk bending down the tunnel all the way to the burial chamber!
From the main entrance to the Pyramid, a long narrow corridor with a low ceiling leads to the place where the sarcophagus was located. It descends to a depth of more than 100 m and will take you to a chamber located approximately 24 m below ground level. There is very little fresh air in the burial chamber!
20 m from the descending corridor there is another tunnel that leads to the very heart of the pyramid. It ends at the largest part of the pyramid - Grand Gallery (“Big Gallery”)! And it is a rectangular hall of 49 square meters. m in length and 15 m in height. From the Grand Gallery, a long tunnel leads to the second chamber, which is known as Queens Palace (“Tomb of the Queens”). Contrary to generally accepted belief, this room has nothing in common with the representatives of the female half of the royal family of the pharaohs, and received its name from the Arabs who first entered this room of the pyramid. It is believed that this room in the pyramid served as a storeroom.
Rising from the Grand Gallery, you can find the entrance to the third chamber; a sarcophagus is installed here, which was made from a single block of granite stone. The premises of this chamber are an amazing archaeological find: it was built from granite blocks that were brought from southern city Egypt's Aswan, located 1000 km from the Giza plateau! The roof of the chamber consists of 9 granite slabs, the weight of each of which is estimated at approximately 50 tons!
The burial chamber has small rectangular exits from the pyramid. Scientists suggest that these depressions in the pyramid served to provide ventilation, or, according to the beliefs of the ancient Egyptians, they ensured contact between the pharaoh and the stars.
The Great Pyramid in Egypt belonged to the Egyptian king Khufu. The name "Cheops" was given to it by the Greeks. Both names are common. The same applies to the nearby Pyramid of Khafre (Greek "Khefre") and the Pyramid of Menkaure (Greek "Mykerina") located nearby on the Giza plateau.
Masterpiece of Pharaoh Khafre on the Giza Plateau
Pyramid of Khafre, the second in order and largest pyramid on the Giza Plateau of Egypt. The main difference of this pyramid is the layer of facing white stone remaining on the top. When viewing the Pyramids of Giza, it seems that it is the largest. In fact, this is just an optical illusion, since it stands on a hill. The height of the Pyramid of Khafre is only 136 m, the width of the base is 214.5 m. Initially, the Pyramid of Khafre was 143.5 m in height.
The only similarity between this pyramid and the structure of Cheops is its exit to the north side at an angle of 53 degrees. In the pyramid of Ancient Egypt, no corridors leading to the center of the pyramid and burial chambers underground were discovered. The pyramid has a single entrance 15 m above the ground, and a descent along a narrow corridor at an angle of 25 degrees in burial chamber with an area of 14.2 by 6.9 m. This chamber contains a large black sarcophagus.
A second tunnel also leads from the chamber.
Small Pyramid of Giza Mikerin (Menkaure)
The smallest of the three pyramids on the Giza plateau was built for Khafre's son, Mikerinus: 65.5 m high (currently 62 m), with a base of 105 m and an angle of 51.3 degrees. This pyramid, like the other two on the Giza plateau, has a northern entrance.
In addition to its size, it differed from the other two in that its cladding was made of pink granite, which was brought from Aswan. King Muhammad Ali Pasha of Egypt used it to build a residence in Alexandria.
Great Sphinx of Giza
The Great Sphinx, or as it was called in ancient times, the "Shesib Ankh" or "living image", must be one of the most recognizable structures in history.
Seeing the image of the Sphinx, any inhabitant of the planet immediately imagines the great Pyramids of Giza and Egypt.
Many believe that the Sphinx, built from fine sandstone, would have disappeared from the face of the earth long ago if it had not been buried for a long time under a layer of sand. The Sphinx's body is 60 m long and 20 m high. His face is 4 m wide. The Sphinx's eyes are positioned in such a way that he greets every morning rising Sun. The ancient Egyptians revered the Sphinx so much that they built a temple in front of it.
There is a legend associated with the release of the Sphinx from under a thick layer of sand. A representative of the 18th dynasty of pharaohs, Thutmose IV installed a stele in front of the paws of a mythical animal. One day Thutmose went hunting and, tired from the midday sun, fell asleep in the shadow cast from the head of the Sphinx.
Thutmose had a dream in which Ra Hor-Akhty, personifying the Sun, spoke to him through the Sphinx and told the young prince that if he removed the sand from the Sphinx, since it was hard for him to breathe, he would soon become the main pharaoh of Egypt. Thutmose was the last, 11th son of the ruling pharaoh, power was inherited descendingly and he had almost no chance of becoming king. He fulfilled his promise: he cleared the Sphinx of sand. 2 years after this he became king of Egypt.
Today part " uraeus " (sacred cobra on the forehead) and the nose of the Sphinx are missing. Many believe that they used it as a cover. However, there is reliable information that they were destroyed by Saim Al-Dar, a Sufi fanatic from Hardah. In 1378, having learned from Egyptian Christians that they were offering gifts to the Sphinx in the hope of increasing their harvest, Saim Al-Dar was so outraged that he destroyed his nose!
Opening hours of the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt
Every day 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. winter time until 16:30.
During Ramadan – 8:00-15:00.
Entrance ticket per person costs 60 Egyptian pounds.
Entrance to the Cheops Boat Museum - 40 Egyptian pounds.
Entry to Khafri's Pyramid is £20.
Entrance to the Pyramid of Cheops - 100 pounds.
Rules for visiting the Pyramids of Giza for tourists
- Climbing the pyramids is prohibited. You can only climb up the stone steps to the entrance, which is approximately 20 m above ground level.
- It is strongly recommended not to use electronic equipment inside pyramids.
- When visiting the pyramids, it is better to wear comfortable walking shoes.
- The number of visitors inside the pyramid is limited to prevent tourists from crowding inside the narrow corridors of the pyramids. Only 300 tickets sold per day certain time: 150 tickets at 8-00 am and the rest at 13-00.
- The Pyramid of Mikerin is currently closed for restoration.
- If you want to take a photo on a camel with the pyramids in the background, then best place For this purpose there are stables at the foot of the pyramid plateau. Don't give your cameras to anyone!
Remember that it is not safe to go into the desert on your own without a guide!
One of the most ancient and yet striking Wonders of the World are the Great Pyramids located in Giza (Egypt). The complex of Gisean buildings represents the greatest architectural monument ever created by man. In total, more than a hundred pyramidal structures were found in Egypt, but most of them did not stand the test of time.
Pyramids of Giza
The Pyramid of Cheops
The largest of the Gisean complex, the Pyramid of Cheops is the largest building structure in the world. Its base is a square with a side of as much as 227.5 meters. The original height of the structure is believed to have been 146 meters, but several of the top stones were destroyed, and today the pyramid is 9 meters lower.
Engineering studies have shown that the largest Gisea architectural monument consists of 2.3 million stone blocks, each of which weighs at least 2.5 tons. The total volume of the structure is 2.34 million cubic meters. The edges of the pyramid are turned to the cardinal directions, with the entrance to the inside being from the north.
A distinctive feature of the structure is that every single building block fits together so well that even now, after several thousand years, it is impossible to insert even the thinnest blade between them. In addition, the researchers discovered that the mortar used to hold the structural elements together was stronger than any modern material.
Purpose of the pyramids
There are no inscriptions, drawings or decorations in the Cheops pyramid. Inside the building there are three chambers, in the center of one of which there is a granite sarcophagus. At first it was assumed that the structure was a tomb. Many years of research have either confirmed or refuted this assumption.
But neither the remains of the pharaoh, nor any utensils or things that, according to the tradition of that time, were buried with the deceased, were found. True, there is a high probability that the pyramid was simply plundered. However, some details in the hypothesis about the purpose of the structure do not agree with the version about the tomb.
However, we will leave to historians and archaeologists questions about the origin and purpose of the construction of such an amazing complex of buildings, the entrance to which is protected by the Great Sphinx - the largest monolithic sculpture on the planet. For you and me, the Pyramids of Giza, with which many legends are associated, remain one of the most striking and unusual examples of the heights of engineering.