In ancient times, which we often consider to be incredibly primitive, remarkable architectural structures existed around the world, one of the most recognized being the pyramids.
Pyramids are not just a representation of Egyptian culture. In fact, there are similar pyramid structures across the globe, such as the Sudanese pyramids, Great Pyramid of Mexico, Peruvian pyramids, Roman pyramids, and more.
As one of the most influential ancient structures in human history, the pyramids are surrounded by countless mysteries and legends spanning thousands of years. Especially since the advent of the Internet, conspiracy theories regarding the pyramids have emerged one after another.
The Egyptian pyramids are colossal structures visible from space. The construction of these pyramids was undoubtedly a monumental task; so who built them?
The pyramids are certainly the quintessential symbol of ancient Egyptian civilization, most notably the Giza Pyramid located near Cairo, the capital of Egypt. The significance of the Giza Pyramid is irreplaceable, with a unique historical value that other pyramids cannot compare to.
The earliest pyramids were constructed about 5,000 years ago. Among them, the most spectacular is the Pyramid of Khufu, standing at 146 meters tall with a base length of 230 meters. The Pyramid of Khufu held the title of the tallest man-made structure for a long time, until the Lincoln Cathedral in England was built.
Even in modern society, the height of 146 meters is still regarded as a benchmark for skyscrapers. The mass, grandeur, and intricate craftsmanship of the Pyramid of Khufu make it unique among ancient structures. However, the question of who built the pyramids remains a focal point of academic debate.
To this day, the Giza pyramids located on the outskirts of Cairo, Egypt, continue to astonish scientists. With their colossal size, perfect geometric structures, and adorned with intricate decorations, the pyramids at Giza showcase the power of the Pharaohs during Egypt’s golden age.
In the 1850s, it was argued that the construction of the pyramids was not carried out by humans. Many scholars even publicly supported and defended this view, including U.S. Congressman Ignatius Donnelly. As a proponent of prehistoric civilization theory, Donnelly firmly believed that the builders of the Egyptian pyramids must have been part of an advanced prehistoric civilization, but relevant records had been lost for some reason.
Since the 1930s, this perspective has shifted towards theories involving UFOs and extraterrestrials. Many believe that the subjects of this advanced prehistoric civilization were indeed extraterrestrial beings. They argue that all ancient human civilizations were guided by ancient aliens during their development.
Some point out that the pyramids are not tombs for the Pharaohs, as no actual mummies have been excavated from the pyramids, all of which originated from the Valley of the Kings in Egypt. Aside from some explored functions of the pyramids, there may be others that modern humans have not yet discovered, and due to their ancient age, the pyramids may have lost many of their original functions.
The Pyramid of Khufu, also known as the Great Pyramid, is the first structure built in the complex. It is also the largest of the three pyramids. According to National Geographic, the construction is estimated to have been made from approximately 2.3 million blocks of limestone and granite, with each block weighing between 2.5 and 15 tons.
According to geological analysis maps, archaeologists have discovered that almost all pyramids were constructed on volcanic or seismic regions. According to proponents of UFO and extraterrestrial theories, there is only one reason for this: to harness energy—the internal energy of the Earth is most concentrated in these two areas.
It is possible that the technology of extraterrestrial civilizations differs from ours, and the energy they require is also different, which is why they harness energy through pyramids to sustain themselves, similar to how we need electricity for development, but their methods are more advanced. It is this energy source that may have caused many extraordinary phenomena to occur within the pyramids.
However, these views are not accepted by mainstream scientists, historians, and archaeologists. Although traditional scholars disagree with these theories, in the Internet age, these ideas continue to spread widely and have become a topic of increasing discussion among many.
The Great Pyramid is the oldest structure among the seven wonders of the ancient world that still exists today.
However, the questions surrounding the process and methods of pyramid construction intrigue many. They primarily focus on two questions: How did ancient Egypt organize such a large workforce to construct the pyramids, and how did these laborers achieve such perfection in building the pyramids using primitive tools?
According to current archaeological evidence, archaeologists state that near the ruins of the Giza pyramids, there are remnants of a settlement that could accommodate 100,000 people simultaneously. This discovery suggests that ancient Egypt may have recruited a construction team of hundreds of thousands, which is the necessary labor scale required to build the pyramids.
To understand why the ancient Egyptians invested so many resources and manpower in building the pyramids, we need to grasp the religious beliefs of ancient Egyptians.
The ancient Egyptians believed that death was a passage to the afterlife or paradise, and thus they believed that after death, their souls needed a place to rest. Pyramids were grand structures used as tombs for the Pharaohs of ancient Egypt. To ensure that the Pharaoh’s soul could rest, the ancient Egyptians were willing to do everything possible.
The ancient Egyptians believed that death was a passage to the afterlife or paradise, and thus they believed that after death, their souls needed a place to rest.
Before the Pyramid of Khufu was built, many other pyramids existed throughout the Nile Valley. Objectively speaking, these early pyramids contributed to the development and perfection of the ancient Egyptians’ pyramid-building technology and paved the way for the later construction of the Pyramid of Khufu.
The dominant previous view in archaeology suggested that the pyramids could have been built by a large group of slaves. According to this perspective, behind each pyramid lies a history filled with blood and tears of humanity.
However, with further research into ancient Egyptian society, the prevailing view has begun to lean towards the belief that the pyramids were built by skilled, paid craftsmen.
In light of this perspective, many have questioned: How could ancient Egypt successfully recruit thousands of skilled craftsmen at once? In reality, the ancient Egyptian state implemented a series of measures to ensure the availability of sufficient craftsmen during the construction of the pyramids. First, ancient Egyptian Pharaohs would conduct large-scale conscription, recruiting young men to participate in pyramid construction.
Subsequently, the ancient Egyptian state would engage in diplomatic negotiations with other nations to acquire more builders. Additionally, the ancient Pharaohs rewarded craftsmen with high salaries and benefits to attract and retain them. These measures collectively contributed to the successful recruitment of a sufficient number of skilled craftsmen in ancient Egypt to build the pyramids.
When newly constructed, the Great Pyramid stood at a height of 146 meters, making it the tallest artificial structure in the world for nearly 4,000 years.
Despite this, many people remain skeptical of this scientific argument, as it is difficult to imagine how the ancient Egyptians could have perfectly arranged such enormous stone blocks thousands of years ago.
Many believe that no ancient civilization from that era, including Ancient Egypt, had the capability to realize such technologies. However, due to the long passage of time and a lack of relevant documentation, opinions on many mysteries of the pyramids vary widely, with countless contradictory theories existing, whether they come from mainstream or fringe perspectives.
To this day, scientists and archaeologists have yet to provide us with a reasonable explanation regarding when the pyramids were built, who constructed them, and how they were built.
