Stories and Curiosities of Giza
Millennial Mysteries of Giza<a id="millennial-mysteries-of-giza"></a>
In captivating Egypt, the Giza Necropolis occupies about 160 square kilometers and was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, like Abusir, Saqqara, and Dahshur, in 1959.
About 4,600 years ago, three great pyramids were built on this plateau, the Pyramid of Khufu (Cheops or the Great Pyramid), the Pyramid of Jafra (Kefren), the Pyramid of Mycerinus (Menkaura).
Constructions such as the Great Sphinx, queens' pyramids, subsidiary pyramids, mastabas of nobles and courtiers (funerary buildings with a truncated pyramid shape and rectangular base), and funerary temples were also built.
And it is impossible to forget the valley temples, processional roads, moats containing Solar Boats (symbolic elements of Egyptian mythology, related to the daily cycle of the Sun), and the city of artisans with warehouses and workshops.
But focusing on the great pyramid of Giza, we can say that it is the main attraction of Egypt and one of the most fascinating and beautiful man-made works in the world.
Likewise, this impressive construction which has been maintained for thousands and thousands of years, hides some curiosities. For example, it was discovered that the pyramid does not have a square base, and its eastern side is 14.1 centimeters longer than its western side.
In turn, popular culture says that the Great Pyramid of Giza was built to offer eternal rest to the pharaoh. However, a mummy was never discovered inside.
In addition, the temperature inside remains constant at 20 degrees.
Let us also add that there is no stipulated figure on how many people worked on the construction of the pyramid, but there are experts who speak of 100,000 workers and that the pyramid is the largest that exists and it is also the one with the smallest statue: one of 7.5 centimeters ivory.
These are some of the facts and curiosities about the Great Pyramid that you probably didn't know. Continue reading and discover many more:
The Great Pyramid of Giza Condenses Energy<a id="the-great-pyramid-of-giza-condenses-energy"></a>
The famous Egyptian pyramid, one of the seven wonders of the world, concentrates electromagnetic energy in its internal chambers and under the base.
The conclusions, published in an article on applied physics from the American Institute of Physics, -AIP for its acronym in English, show that the researchers analyzed the response of the pyramid to radio waves and observed that, if the wavelength resonates with the dimensions of the pyramid, the imposing building acts as a channel.
The Pyramid of Giza Was Not Built by Slaves<a id="the-pyramid-of-giza-was-not-built-by-slaves"></a>
For many years it was thought that the pyramid was built by thousands of slaves, but Egyptologists revealed that many skilled workers were in charge of this project.
Khufu's nephew planned the construction and the pharaoh spent a lot of money on clothing and feeding the workers with quality products.
The Pyramid is Composed of 2,300,000 Stone Blocks<a id="the-pyramid-is-composed-of-2300000-stone-blocks"></a>
The weight of the blocks ranges from 900 to 30 thousand kilograms. Shocking, right? Well even more so because, as we said, inside the temperature maintains a constant 20° C.
In addition, the pyramid was covered with limestone which made it reflect light as if it were a giant mirror.
Pharaoh's Chest Was Put There During Construction<a id="pharaohs-chest-was-put-there-during-construction"></a>
The chest found in the pharaoh's chamber is too large to fit through the pyramid's small tunnels, so it must have been placed there during construction.
The Pyramid is Aligned with Two Others<a id="the-pyramid-is-aligned-with-two-others"></a>
The Pyramid of Cheops, also known as Giza, is aligned with two others: the pyramids of Kafrén and Menkaura, following the stars that form Orion's Belt. The passage down the pyramid points to the North Star known as Alpha Draconis.
Architectural Wonders: Revolving Doors<a id="architectural-wonders-revolving-doors"></a>
In addition to this pyramid, only two others have this type of door: those of Huni and Snefru. The three were son, father, and grandfather, respectively.
Although it weighs several tons, the Giza revolving door is very easy to open from the inside and practically impossible to find from the outside, making it a marvel of infrastructure for the time.
One of the 7 Wonders of the World<a id="one-of-the-7-wonders-of-the-world"></a>
Of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the Pyramid of Giza is the only one still standing. In addition, it was the tallest building in the world for thousands of years, more precisely until 1889, when the Eiffel Tower was built.
Cheops: the Largest Pyramid and the Smallest Statue<a id="cheops-the-largest-pyramid-and-the-smallest-statue"></a>
The total surface area of the base is said to occupy no less than the equivalent of a minimum of 20 Olympic swimming pools. In other words, 52000 square meters.
And there is another curiosity: although the Great Pyramid of Giza is the largest, the smallest statue found of any pharaoh belongs to Cheops. It measures only 7.5 centimeters and is made of ivory.
The Construction? With Levers<a id="the-construction-with-levers"></a>
Although its construction was always a mystery, it was indicated on several occasions that the method used could have been with wooden or bronze levers. Once the first step was established, a machine made of logs was used to lift the stones to the second step; and so on.
Explore Giza: A Journey Through the Centuries<a id="explore-giza-a-journey-through-the-centuries"></a>
The magic of Giza transcends time and space. Immerse yourself in the grandeur of ancient Egyptian civilization as you marvel at the towering pyramids and explore their intricate passageways. What secrets wait to be discovered beneath the warm desert sand? Come explore Giza and discover it in person!
