After thousands of years, there are still many mysteries to uncover and decode about the Egyptian pyramids.
For instance, what lies within the pyramids? How did the ancient Egyptians construct and transport materials?
The answer to the faces of the pyramid was first revealed in 1926 (Photo: Getty).
Let’s start with the basics: How many faces does the Great Pyramid of Giza, the main structure of the Egyptian pyramid complex, actually have? If you answered 4, you are mistaken. In fact, this structure has as many as 8 faces.
This unique feature has helped the monumental structure stand strong for over 4,500 years.
The answer about the faces of the pyramid was first uncovered when P. Groves, a pilot in the British Royal Air Force, took aerial photographs of the pyramid in 1926.
From that viewpoint, it was observed that each face of the pyramid has a significant concave section, extending vertically along a straight line from the base to the apex.
This discovery revealed that the Great Pyramid of Giza is, in fact, an object with a concave octagonal shape, rather than a standard square pyramid. The concavity is so subtly designed that it cannot be seen from any ground position, but only from above.
8 faces of the Great Pyramid of Giza observed from above (Photo: Reddit).
According to archaeologists and architects, these concave sections were not created randomly. In fact, they enhance the pyramid’s stability and longevity.
“The sloped layers, along with the reinforced base, are essential designs for the long-term stability of the pyramid against harsh natural impacts such as gravitational compression, earthquakes, and storms,” explained Akio Kato, a physicist at Kanagawa University in Japan.
“As some layers deteriorate and weaken over time, others tighten to become stronger. That is the genius construction secret of the ancient Egyptians.”
In reality, the “auxiliary faces” of the Great Pyramid of Giza have proven to be a success, allowing it to endure for 4,500 years in harsh desert conditions.
Although the ancient Egyptians are often regarded as genius architects, their designs were not flawless.
Archaeologists point out that some features of the pyramid, often the internal chambers, have unstable structures that are prone to collapse and very difficult to restore.
This has led some to believe that the existence of the pyramid’s 8 faces might be coincidental, not part of any ancient Egyptian calculations, and that this factor has helped the pyramids survive to this day.
