Until now, the truth about the pyramids remains a significant question that scientists have yet to accurately answer.
How were the Egyptian pyramids built?
The Pyramid – The Most Mysterious Architectural Achievement of Humanity
Most of us know that the pyramids are the magnificent structures of ancient Egypt. These pyramids also served as tombs for the Pharaohs, containing many mysteries that scientists have not yet fully explored.
1. The three pyramids at the Giza necropolis, also known as the Giza Necropolis, are the most well-known Egyptian pyramids. However, in reality, up to 140 pyramids have been discovered in this area.
2. The oldest known pyramid is the Pyramid of Djoser, built around the 27th century BC.
3. The largest pyramid in the world is the Pyramid of Khufu, also known as the Great Pyramid of Giza. Originally standing at 146.5 meters high, its current height is 138 meters.
4. The Great Pyramid of Giza was the tallest man-made structure in the world for 3,871 years until Lincoln Cathedral in England was completed in 1311, taking its place.
5. The Great Pyramid of Giza is the oldest of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World and the only remaining wonder still in existence today.
6. There are various records of the number of workers involved in building the pyramids in Egypt. Scientists estimate that about 100,000 people were needed to construct one Giza pyramid.
7. Next to the Giza Pyramid stands the largest sphinx in the world, which is also the largest monolithic statue in existence. The face of the sphinx is believed to have been sculpted in the likeness of Pharaoh Khafra.
8. All pyramids were constructed on the west bank of the Nile River, facing the setting sun, symbolizing the land of the dead in ancient Egypt.
9. Inside the pyramids are burial chambers for the kings and the wealthiest individuals of ancient Egypt. They were buried alongside everyday objects made of gold, as the Egyptians believed they could use them in the afterlife.
10. The first known architect of the pyramids is Imhotep, a renowned engineer, physician, and scientist of ancient Egypt. He is believed to have designed the world’s first pyramid, the Pyramid of Djoser.
11. Scientists agree that the pyramids were built using large stone blocks, carved into square shapes of uniform size. However, the methods of moving and placing these massive stones remain a mystery.
12. The methods of constructing pyramids changed over time, alongside advancements in science. Experts have discovered that later pyramids were built in a completely different manner than the oldest ones.
13. After the pyramids were built in ancient Egypt, many other pyramid-like structures were constructed worldwide, including pyramids in Sudan.
14. The Giza pyramids were once targeted for destruction by Al-Aziz, but the solid architecture of the massive stones made this attempt unsuccessful. However, Al-Aziz did succeed in destroying the Pyramid of Menkaure.
15. The three Giza pyramids were aligned with the three largest stars in the Orion constellation. In ancient Egypt, the Orion constellation symbolized the god of resurrection.
16. The Great Pyramid of Giza was constructed with 2,300,000 stone blocks, each weighing over 50 tons.
17. The original stones used in the pyramids were covered with a layer of white limestone on the outside. When sunlight hit them, the stones reflected the light, making the pyramid shine like a precious gem.
18. When reflecting sunlight, these pyramids could be seen from the moon.
19. Despite the high external temperatures around the pyramids, as this is a hot desert region year-round, the temperature inside the pyramid remains consistently at 20 degrees Celsius.
20. Although it is difficult to calculate accurately, the mass of the Pyramid of Khufu is estimated to be around 6 million tons.
21. The Pyramid of Khufu is oriented towards the north. However, due to the shifting of the true north over time, the orientation of this pyramid has deviated from true north. This allows scientists to calculate how much the true north has shifted.
22. One reason the pyramids have endured for so long is due to the type of mortar used to bind the stone blocks. This is a special type of mortar whose formula we still do not know today.
23. Contrary to many stories, the pyramids were not built by slaves and prisoners. In fact, it is likely that the builders of these pyramids were skilled workers who were paid for their labor.
24. Although ancient Egyptians often inscribed symbols or hieroglyphs on their structures, we have yet to find any symbols or hieroglyphs inside the Giza pyramids.
25. An average pyramid takes about 200 years to complete, meaning it would take 2 to 3 generations of Pharaohs to finish one pyramid. However, multiple pyramids were often built simultaneously.
