The Great Pyramid of Giza is one of the seven wonders of the world. It is known as the tomb of the pharaoh. Many of us know only this about her. Meanwhile, even with the most advanced technologies, science cannot reproduce these pyramids. The only thing we can say is that they were built in 2504 BC. For more information, check out the following 18 facts.
The pyramid was built by workers, not slaves
There was a theory by the Greek historian Herodotus that the ancient pyramid was built by slaves. However, the truth is that there were many experienced artisans at that time who wanted to participate in the creation of this pyramid.
Research shows that workers were well fed, paid well, and respected. As a result, many of them died during the construction process and were buried near the burial site of the last pharaoh as a tribute.
The bricks that make up the pyramid weigh more than an elephant
Next, we will talk about the weight of the bricks. Each of them weighs about 50 tons.
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It is estimated that a total of more than 2 million bricks weighing between 2 and 50 tons were used. How were they moved and raised at that time, because the corresponding technologies and equipment did not exist yet? Scientists believe that about 100 thousand people were employed in the construction.
Sphinx protects the pyramid
The Sphinx is a mythical creature, according to the ancient Egyptians, which combines the body of a lion and the head of a man. The Egyptians erected sphinxes where they needed sacred protection, for example, in tombs and temples.
The pyramids once sparkled
The pyramids once sparkled in the sun like giant decorations. They were lined with shiny limestone shells.
This coating has worn down over time and crumbled due to earthquakes, so we no longer see the dazzling shine. The pyramid at Giza was created from 2.3 million limestone blocks.
The pyramids are tilted to the north
The pyramid is located on the west bank of the Nile. This is the direction of the setting sun. According to ancient Egyptian mythology, it is associated with the kingdom of the dead.
The Egyptians knew very well how to align the pyramid towards the north. Scientists still cannot explain the remarkable talent of the ancient Egyptians.
The location of construction is no coincidence
The pyramids were built in different places, for example in Saqqara, others were found a few kilometers from Cairo. This is not just a coincidence.
As you know, the pyramids were built as the tombs of the pharaoh and ancient kings on the north bank of the Nile. Egyptian mythology considers it to be the land of sunset as well as the land of death.
There is a country in Africa with 2 times more pyramids than Egypt
Believe it or not, it's up to you, but before you argue, try visiting the Nubia region of Sudan.
Nubia was once part of Ancient Egypt. It is known that the pyramids in Nubia were built 500 years before the pyramids at Giza. They are similar to the Egyptian pyramids, but smaller in size. Most of the pyramids here are built as tombs for one ruler.
Egyptians were not the first to build the pyramid
Many pyramids were built before the Egyptians, and those found in Nubia are prime examples of this.
The ancient Egyptians were excellent builders, so their buildings existed for a very long time. They built pyramids from limestone, the type of stone available in the country. They used rough stones, which are usually used for the outside of the building.
The pyramid was built to accompany the pharaoh to the afterlife
The ancient Egyptians were very religious, they believed that the pyramid was a safe place to enter another world. They also believed in many gods and that after death the Pharaoh would become a god. They built the Sphinx next to the pyramid to protect the ruler from evil spirits.
Pharaoh's curse protects the pyramid
While the Sphinx was used to protect the pharaoh from persecution, the pharaoh's curse was supposed to protect the pyramid and the ruler's family.
This explains why bad things happened to many archaeologists and explorers, and according to legend, they had to die. Some experts say that the diseases these people got were caused by pathogenic bacteria, but the Egyptians know that the reason goes deeper.
Djoser is the first pharaoh buried in the pyramid
The first tomb is the ancient tomb of Djoser, built of clay or stone bricks. The architect Imhotep was the first to design the pyramid-shaped tomb at Sakkara, which was used for the burial of the third dynasty pharaoh in the 27th century BC.
Mycerinus - the last pharaoh buried in the pyramid
The last Egyptian pharaoh is buried in the pyramid of Mycerin. He is considered the son of Pharaoh Khafr and the grandson of Pharaoh Khufu. These three rulers are the heirs of Pharaoh Sneferu. This was the most famous dynasty.
The pyramid of Khufu is the tallest building in the world
The Pyramid of Giza was the tallest man-made structure in the world for 3,800 years. Its original height was 146.5 meters, but later its record was broken by Lincoln Cathedral, whose construction was completed in 1300 AD at an altitude of 160 meters.
The current height of the pyramid after the destruction and loss of the tallest stone is 138.8 meters.
Tunnel under the pyramid
Another amazing truth about the Egyptian pyramids is the existence of a complex network of tunnels and mysterious chambers and axes under the pyramid.
Few people know about this, because tunnel excavations are always controlled by the government and information is kept secret with a high level of security. Details of the treasures found under the pyramids inside the tunnels have never been released to the public.
The temperature inside the pyramid always remains at 20 degrees Celsius
This is the oldest and most effective conditioner. Although the outside temperature is constantly changing, the temperature inside these mysterious structures has never exceeded 20 degrees Celsius.
Egypt is a country that experiences very high temperatures during the day, but this has never affected the temperature inside the pyramids.
Mysterious solution
"People are afraid of time, and time is afraid of pyramids." This is an ancient Arabic proverb that proves that the pyramids really existed on Earth for a very long time.
The special mortar used to fix the rock mass may be the reason for this. Scientists have analyzed that this solution has been used many times, but they still cannot determine its composition. About 5 million tons of mortar were used to join the heaviest bricks.
Rimma Sergeevna
