The Great Pyramid of Giza is the oldest and largest of the three ancient monuments found in Giza, Egypt and is the only one remaining today. The Great Pyramid of Giza stands at an impressive 139 meters tall and covers a perimeter of 230 meters with its four sides. It is thought to have taken tens of thousands of workers to build the iconic pyramid and is still shrouded in mystery today.
The sheer size of the pyramid and the knowledge and engineering skills required to build it have astounded many generations, and there are many facts to explore about this impressive ancient site. Here are some of the most astounding facts about the Great Pyramid of Giza.
Exact Origins of the Pyramid Remains a Mystery
The exact origins of the pyramid remain a mystery. Although it is believed to have been constructed during the reign of Pharaoh Khufu, who ruled in the 4th Dynasty, the architectural designs of the pyramid, the methods of carving and embedding the stones, and the techniques used to construct it are still unknown. Speculation abounds as to who designed the structure and how it was built and the mystery only adds to its mystery and awe.
It Records Fascinating Ancient Measurement Systems
The Great Pyramid is a magnificent structure and also serves as a record of interesting ancient measurement systems. The pyramid is based on the Royal Cubit, a unit of measurement that was used in ancient Egypt and is still used in some parts of the Middle East today. The Royal Cubit is the length of the forearm from the elbow to the tip of the middle finger, which was probably chosen to keep any measurement system requiring precision as consistent and accurate as possible. Furthermore, it has been suggested that the pyramid was designed in such a way that its inner geometry was designed and constructed to align with the latitudes and longitudes of Earth’s surface, which could mean the builders had detailed knowledge of the size and the movement of the Earth.
One of the Oldest and Largest Manmade Structures on Earth
The Great Pyramid of Giza is widely accepted as one of the oldest and largest manmade structures on Earth. The structure was built over 4,500 years ago and is made from more than 2.3 million limestone blocks with an average weight of 2.5 tonnes each. The sheer size of the structure is enough to astound people, but even more incredible is that the architects and builders of the time were able to place the massive stones precisely so that the pyramid appears almost perfectly symmetrical and looks exactly the same now as it did way back then.
Considered a Wonder of the World
The Great Pyramid of Giza was given the honor of being listed as one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World and remains the only one of the seven original wonders to still exist today. This alone is an incredible feat and shows the immense legacy of this ancient structure. The Great Pyramid has survived through the centuries because of the sheer size, durability and precision of its construction, making it an incredible architectural feat.
Pyramid Corridors Contain Thousands of Hidden Rooms
One of the most astounding facts about the Great Pyramid of Giza is that it contains secret passageways and hidden chambers with thousands of hidden rooms. Some of the rooms have been newly discovered as recently as 2014 and 2017.
•In 2014, an archaeological team discovered a secret passageway known as the “Ascending Passage” leading to the “Grand Gallery.”
•In 2017, an infrared scanner discovered two strange voids between the Grand Gallery and the King’s Chamber.
•In 2018, an archaeological team uncovered another secret passageway known as the “North Corridor” extending from the King’s Chamber to an undisclosed location.
These hidden tunnels and chambers are interesting as they could help us answer some of the many mysteries around the creation and purpose of the Great Pyramid.
Mysterious Shafts Point to Stars in the Sky
Two mysterious shafts known as the Queen’s Chamber Shafts were discovered inside the Great Pyramid of Giza. The puzzling thing about these shafts is that they point to specific stars in the night sky that would have been visible during the time when the structure was built. It is thought that these shafts were used to help the ancient Egyptians chart the stars and constellations in the night sky.
Exchanging Cylinders
The Great Pyramid of Giza has several mysterious objects within its inner chambers. One of the oddest artifacts is a pair of cylindrical objects which some archeologists believe may have been used as a form of currency. They are thought to have been exchanged between the ancient Egyptians and other countries as payment for goods and services.
Mythology Connections
The pyramid also has a connection to ancient mythology. One of the most interesting facts is that some cultures believed the Great Pyramid of Giza was built by the gods to guard the entrance to the underworld and to prevent powerful creatures from entering the earth. It was built like a mountain to guard the underworld from the gods. This mythological connection further adds to the aura of mystery and incredulity surrounding the pyramid.
The Great Pyramid of Giza is an incredible structure and has captivated the minds of people for hundreds of years. From its exact origins to its mysterious hidden chambers, this ancient structure is shrouded in mystery and is one of the most impressive feats of ancient engineering. Despite its age, the Great Pyramid of Giza still stands as one of the most astounding ancient structures ever built, and its many facts and stories remain as fascinating as ever.
