The Great Pyramid of Giza (known in antiquity as "Akhet Khufu" or "The Horizon of Khufu") was constructed during the Old Kingdom period under the reign of Pharaoh Khufu (his Greek name is Cheops). He was the second ruler of the Fourth Dynasty, succeeding his father Sneferu, the pharaoh who built three pyramids. Khufu ruled from approximately 2589 to 2566 BC, and nearly his entire reign was dedicated to this monumental project.
It is noteworthy that aside from this pyramid, almost no other substantial material evidence from Khufu`s era remains—no major temples, no life-sized statues (only one miniature ivory statuette has survived). This makes the pyramid a unique and singular monument to his ambitions, the ultimate concentration of the power and resources of the ancient Egyptian state.
Architectural Phenomenon: Numbers and Facts
The Great Pyramid of Khufu is the largest of the Egyptian pyramids. For nearly 4,000 years, it remained the tallest man-made structure in the world.
• Original Height: 146.6 meters (481 feet).
• Current Height: 138.5 meters (454 feet), due to the loss of its outer casing (made of polished white limestone) and its capstone (pyramidion).
• Base Side Length: Approximately 230.4 meters (756 feet).
• Total Mass: Estimated at 5.9 million tons.
• Number of Blocks: Over 2.3 million stone blocks were used. The average weight of a block is 2.5 tons, while some granite blocks in the King`s Chamber weigh up to 80 tons.
Geometry and Astronomy: A Connection to the Cosmos
The pyramid`s precision is astonishing and has given rise to numerous theories.
Cardinal Alignment: The pyramid`s sides are aligned to the four cardinal points (north, south, east, west) with incredible accuracy—the error margin is less than 0.06 degrees. How the ancient builders achieved this precision remains a subject of debate.
Stellar Correlations: According to a hypothesis proposed by several researchers, the narrow shafts leading from the King`s Chamber may have had a ritual purpose beyond simple ventilation. It is suggested the southern shaft pointed towards the star Sirius (associated with the goddess Isis), and the northern shaft towards the star Thuban in the constellation Draco (which was the pole star at that time). The shafts from the Queen`s Chamber are thought by some to have been aligned with the stars Al Nitak (in Orion`s Belt, linked to the god Osiris) and Kochab (in the constellation Ursa Minor). This may have symbolized the pharaoh`s soul`s journey to the stars and eternal life.
The Solar Barque: A Ship for the Afterlife
In 1954, archaeologist Kamal el-Mallakh discovered two sealed, rock-cut pits at the south side of the pyramid. One contained a disassembled cedarwood vessel—Khufu`s Solar Barque.
Purpose: According to ancient Egyptian belief, such a barque was intended for the pharaoh`s use in the afterlife to travel with the sun god Ra across the sky and through the underworld.
Specifications: The barque is 43.6 meters (143 feet) long and 5.9 meters (19.5 feet) wide. It was constructed using rope lashings, without a single nail, showcasing supreme shipbuilding skill.
Fate of the Discovery: After 16 years of meticulous restoration, the barque was reassembled. For a long time, this priceless artifact was displayed in the purpose-built Solar Barque Museum adjacent to the pyramid. Today, the Solar Barque is exhibited in one of the pavilions of the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM).
Unsolved Mysteries of the Great Pyramid
Despite centuries of study, the pyramid holds enigmas with no definitive answers:
Construction Techniques: The primary question is how? How were the multi-ton blocks transported and lifted to such heights? How was such perfect fitting achieved? A single, fully proven theory still does not exist.
Purpose of the Inner Chambers: Why are there three main chambers (Subterranean, Queen`s, and King`s), which are not centrally aligned but offset? Was it solely a tomb, or did it serve other functions?
Secret Chambers: Modern technology (muon radiography, thermal scanning) in 2017 and 2020 confirmed the existence of at least one large void (known as "The Big Void"), about 30 meters long, above the Grand Gallery, as well as a possible cavity on the north-eastern side. Their purpose and contents remain a complete mystery.
Mathematical and Geographical Codes: Some researchers note that the pyramid`s dimensional ratios incorporate the mathematical constant π (Pi), and its original height multiplied by one billion is roughly equal to the distance from the Earth to the Sun. Most scholars consider these to be coincidences, but for enthusiasts, they are evidence of lost knowledge.
The Great Pyramid remains an eternal symbol of humanity`s aspiration for greatness, a monument to engineering genius and belief in the afterlife. Every new scientific examination unveils more of its secrets, but it seems it may be impossible to uncover them all.
