The Great Pyramids of Giza were not built in a desolate desert but at the heart of ancient Egyptian civilization. Around 2580 BC, Pharaoh Khufu (Cheops), the second ruler of the 4th Dynasty during the Old Kingdom, chose this plateau for strategic reasons. It was an elevated area near Memphis—the capital of Egypt—overlooking the fertile Nile Valley.
The plateau itself was a mass of limestone, ideal for quarrying local building stone, while the river`s proximity allowed for the transport of tons of granite from Aswan, located 800 km to the south. The construction was an act of incredible state mobilization, possible only under the absolute power of a pharaoh who commanded the nation`s resources for 20–30 years.
The Architects of Eternity: Pharaohs of the 4th Dynasty
The success of these monumental pyramids is the achievement of the engineering genius of ancient builders and the concerted efforts of an entire dynasty:
Sneferu (Khufu`s father): His reign was a "dress rehearsal." He built three pyramids (at Meidum and two at Dahshur—the Bent and Red Pyramids), experimenting with angles and technologies, which accumulated invaluable experience.
Khufu (Cheops): Realized his father`s vision by creating the most perfect and grand structure of human antiquity, the Great Pyramid. His name is scarcely preserved at other monuments; all his glory is in the stone.
Khafre (Chephren): Son of Khufu. A master of optical illusion and harmony. He built the second-largest pyramid on a higher part of the plateau with a steeper angle, making it appear taller than his father`s. He created a unified ensemble with the Sphinx.
Menkaure (Mycerinus): Grandson of Khufu. His reign marks the end of the era of giants. Although small, his pyramid is distinguished by unprecedented quality of granite finishing and complex internal chambers, indicating a shift in focus from quantity to quality.
Comparative Sizes of the Great Pyramids of Giza
1. Pyramid of Khufu (Cheops)
• The largest and most perfect.
• Original Height: 146.6 meters.
• Current Height (without casing and capstone): 138.5 meters.
• Base Side Length: about 230.4 meters.
• Angle of Inclination: 51° 50`.
• Volume of masonry: ~2.6 million m³ (the largest volume).
2. Pyramid of Khafre (Chephren)
• Second largest but appears taller due to an optical illusion.
• Original Height: 143.5 meters.
• Current Height: 136.4 meters.
• Base Side Length: 215.25 meters.
• Angle of Inclination: 53° 10` (steeper than Khufu`s Pyramid).
• Special Feature: Original Tura limestone casing is preserved at its apex.
3. Pyramid of Menkaure (Mycerinus)
• The smallest of the three, marking the end of the era of giants.
• Original Height: 65.5 meters.
• Current Height: 62 meters.
• Base Side Length: 102.2 meters (north side) by 104.6 meters (west side) (has a slight rectangular form).
• Angle of Inclination: about 51° 20`.
• Special Feature: The lower third was clad in granite, the upper part in limestone.
Key Numerical Ratios
• Volume: The Pyramid of Menkaure constitutes only about 1/10th the volume of the Pyramid of Khufu.
• Height Illusion: Although the Pyramid of Khafre is 7.1 meters shorter than the Pyramid of Khufu (in original dimensions), its steeper angle and construction on higher ground create the effect that it is taller.
• Precision: The orientation of all pyramids to the cardinal points has an error of less than 0.06 degrees, demonstrating the incredible geodetic knowledge of the builders.
The Subsidiary Pyramids: Menkaure`s Family Necropolis
Next to Menkaure`s pyramid stand three small subsidiary pyramids (G3-a, G3-b, G3-c). These are not mere additions but miniature replicas of the royal tomb, each with its own small mortuary temple. They are believed to be the tombs of the pharaoh`s principal royal wives. Two of them were stepped pyramids. This ensemble makes Menkaure`s complex the most "familial" and harmonious, reflecting the ruler`s personal connections.
The Eternal Guardian: The Great Sphinx and Its Temple
Carved from a single limestone ridge, the Great Sphinx is the oldest monumental sculpture (c. 2500 BC). Its face, according to the most convincing theory, is a portrait of Pharaoh Khafre, whose pyramid stands behind it. It embodied the pharaoh in the form of the god Horemakhet ("Horus on the Horizon").
Dimensions: Length — 73 m, Height — 20 m, Face Width — 4.1 m.
The Sphinx Temple: At its paws lie the ruins of the Lower Temple, built from giant blocks. It was part of a ritual route connected to Khafre`s Valley Temple (source of his famous statues) and the pyramid itself.
Unsolved Mysteries of the Pyramids: A Challenge to Modern Science
Incomprehensible Precision: The working of granite sarcophagi and casing (especially in Menkaure`s pyramid) achieves optical flatness. The joints between blocks are so tight that a razor blade cannot be inserted. Marks on the stone resemble the work of an unknown high-speed tool rather than copper saws with sand. Even today, such workmanship on hard granite requires high-precision machinery.
Astronomical Code: The orientation of the pyramid faces to the cardinal points with an error margin of fractions of a degree. The shafts from the King`s Chamber in Khufu`s pyramid precisely pointed to Sirius and Thuban (the pole star of that era).
Age of the Sphinx: Vertical erosion on the walls of its enclosure is characteristic of water, not wind erosion. This gave rise to the hypothesis (R. Schoch) that the Sphinx could be thousands of years older than the pyramids, dating to a period of wet climate (7000–5000 BC).
Construction Technology: The lack of a single proven theory on lifting multi-ton blocks (200+ tons at the base of Khafre`s pyramid) to a height of over a hundred meters.
Hidden Cavities: Modern scanners (muon radiography) have detected a large unknown void ("Big Void") above the Grand Gallery in Khufu`s pyramid. Its purpose remains a mystery.
Legends That Stir the Imagination
• "Hall of Records": An esoteric legend about a library of knowledge from lost Atlantis, hidden in a chamber beneath the Sphinx`s paws.
• Curse of the Pharaohs: A popular 20th-century myth associated with the opening of Tutankhamun`s tomb, often projected onto the pyramids as well.
• Extraterrestrial Intervention: A speculative theory explaining the incredible precision of construction with the help of unknown technologies.
Practical Guide: How and When to Visit
The ideal day at the Giza Plateau can be split into two parts to avoid the midday heat and fatigue.
Option 1 (Classic): Morning → Pyramids, Afternoon → Museum
06:00 – 12:00: Pyramids and Sphinx. Arrive at opening time (usually 8:00 AM) to catch the soft light for photos and avoid crowds. Explore the plateau; optionally, descend inside a pyramid (requires a separate ticket).
12:30 – 16:30: Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM). After the heat, it`s the perfect time for the cool, air-conditioned halls of the new grand museum at the foot of the plateau. Here you will see in detail the treasures of Tutankhamun, statues of the pyramid builders, and the authentic Solar Barque of Khufu.
Option 2 (Alternative): Morning → Museum, Afternoon → Pyramids for Sunset
09:00 – 13:00: Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM). Start the day by immersing yourself in history to better understand what you will see later on the plateau.
14:00 – Sunset: Pyramids. After lunch, head to the pyramids. The evening light is ideal for photography, and the view of the sunset behind the pyramids is one of the most impressive sights in the world. Optionally, stay for the sound and light show.
The Pyramids of Giza are not just ancient tombs but the grand culmination of an entire era`s engineering genius, achieved by the pharaohs of the 4th Dynasty about 4500 years ago. Each of the three great pyramids is unique. Beside them, the Great Sphinx eternally guards its secrets. The mysteries of their construction—from the incredibly precise fitting of multi-ton blocks to their astronomical orientation—still baffle scientists today.
