Pyramids

Early on the second morning of our tour, we went down the road from our Gizan hotel to the site of the Pyramids. The Pyramids are essentially mausoleums. Each of the three contained the mummified corpse of a Pharaoh along with all the treasures and possessions someone of his standing would need in the afterlife. The largest (the Great Pyramid) was built by Khufu (aka Cheops), the next largest by his son or grandson Khafre, and the smallest by Menkaure. The afterlife was a major concern in Egyptian theology, so the final resting place of the Pharaoh was a major public project throughout his reign. Although it is smaller in height and in volume, Khafre's pyramid (the one with the remnants of its outer casing still visible around the top) is built on higher ground and so looks taller than the Great Pyramid that Khufu built. Since the Egyptians associated the setting sun metaphorically with the end of life, Giza is on the west side of the Nile.

The Gizan Pyramids were one of the seven wonders of the ancient world and are the only still in existence today. Although the Great Pyramid was built approximately 4,500 years ago, it was the tallest man-made structure until the construction of the Lincoln Cathedral in England was completed in 1311 AD. Their size made them prime targets, though; these and later smaller pyramids were all looted. Future generations of Pharaohs moved their tombs to underground complexes in the Valley of the Kings.

Besides the three main pyramids, there are a few much smaller pyramids that contain the remains of the queens of the Pharaohs. Additionally there are rectangular mounds called mastabas that mark the underground burial chambers of nobles. There are also underground pits that house disassembled ceremonial boats. One of these was unearthed in 1954, reassembled painstakingly for a decade, and is now on display in a museum that abuts the Great Pyramid. This Wikipedia image shows the layout of the Gizan Pyramid site.

For more of my pictures of the Giza Pyramids, click here.