Built: Between 2700 to 2500 BC

Location: Giza, Egypt, on the West Bank of the Nile River near Cairo

History:

The Great Pyramid of Egypt is the oldest and sole surviving member of the Ancient Wonders. Although there are ten pyramids at Giza, only the first three are held in the highest regard. Furthermore, it is only the pyramid of Pharaoh Khufu that is on the list of Ancient Wonders, and not all three.

The Great Pyramid of Khufu was built around the year 2560 BC as a tomb for the pharaoh when he dies. The idea of pyramid building is to protect the body of the pharaohs by covering the tomb with a mastaba, meaning platform. This prevents grave robbers and other factors from disturbing the grave.

Khufu’s pyramid is believed to have been built by 100 000 laborers working over a twenty year period.

The pyramids are built over several stages. The site was first located and then prepared. Then the blocks of stone are cut, transported, and put into place. The blocks are then covered with an outer casing, which had disappeared over the years, to smooth the surface. It is also believed that the monument was topped with solid gold, but time and weather has worn it down.

Today, all the pyramids and the Sphinx are enclosed together in the tourist region of the Giza Plateau.

Description:

The Great Pyramid is the first and largest of the group of pyramids located at Giza. At the time it was constructed, it measured 146 m (480 ft) high with a square base of 230 m (756 ft) on each side. Time, however, took about thirty feet off the top and it now rises to about 136 m (450 ft) and covers thirteen acres.

The Great Pyramid ranked as the tallest structure on Earth for more than forty-three centuries. It is covered with a casing of stones to smooth its surface. Each corner of the square base is carefully oriented with one of the cardinal points of the compass- north, south, east and west. The structure consists of about two million blocks of two ton stones.

Interesting Facts:

• Many scholars believe that the shape of the pyramid symbolizes the slanting rays of the sun and the sloping sides allow the soul of the king to climb to the sky and join the gods
• There are enough blocks in the three pyramids to build a 3 m (10 ft) high, 0.3 m (1 ft) thick wall around France
• The area covered by the Great Pyramid can contain the combined buildings of St Peter’s in Rome, the cathedrals of Florence and Milan, and Westminster and St Paul’s in London