The Pyramids at Giza

The first historically documented Egyptian pyramid is attributed to the architect Imhotep, who planned what Egyptologists believe to be a tomb for the pharaoh Djoser. Amenhotep is given the credit for being the first to conceive the notion of stacking mastabas on top of each other — creating an edifice composed of a number of “steps” that decreased in size towards its apex.  The Step Pyramid of Djoser was the result — which was designed to serve as a huge stairway by which the soul of the deceased pharaoh could move to the heavens. Such was the importance of Imhotep’s achievement that he was deified by later Egyptians.

The most prolific pyramid-building phase coincided with the greatest degree of absolutist pharaonic rule.  The most famous pyramids, those near Giza, were built during this time. Over time, as authority became less centralized, the ability and willingness to gather the resources required for construction on a massive scale decreased, and later pyramids were smaller, less well-built, and often hurriedly constructed.

When the Great Pyramid of Egypt was built it was 146 meters (438 feet) high. Time has worn the pyramid down by 10 meters (30 feet) and it still continues to erode. The pyramid was once covered with limestone that was painted a bright red color. The sides of the pyramid are carefully positioned to point north, south, east, and west. The bottom of the pyramid has sides that measure 227 meters (681 feet) in length. It was designed so precise that the error margin between the sides is less then 1 percent.

It belonged to the Pharaoh Khufu and once held his body. The pyramid is made up of approximately two million blocks of limestone with each weighing more than two tons.  This pyramid today is the last wonder of the world that is still standing.

The Second Pyramid belongs to the Pharaoh Khafre. Unlike the pyramid of Khufu, the angle of this pyramid is 53 degrees. This pyramid is three meters shorter then Khufu’s and stands on the northern side of the Giza Plateau. The top of the pyramid has some limestone left with a white cap on top of the pyramid that can be still seen. This large tomb had been looted before archeologists found it.

The Third Pyramid or the The pyramid of Menkaure is the smallest of the three pyramids. Its design is not as well detailed as the other two pyramids. Although the pyramid was not complete when Menkaure died, his son Shepseskaf took the task to finish the large project. This pyramid stands 66 meters high.