The Giza Plateau
How the Great Pyramid was built
is a question that may never be answered. Herodotus said that it
would have taken 30 years and 100,000 slaves to have built it.
Another theory is that it was built by peasants who were unable
to work the land while the Nile flooded between July and
November. They may have been paid with food for their labor. The
flooded waters would have also aided in the moving of the casing
stones. These stones were brought from Aswan and Tura and the
water would have brought the stones right to the pyramid. This
pyramid is thought to have been built between 2589 - 2566 BC. It
would have taken over 2,300,000 blocks of stone with an average
weight of 2.5 tons each. The total weight would have been
6,000,000 tons and a height of 482 feet (140m). It is the largest
and the oldest of the Pyramids of Giza.
(Cheops)
2551-2528 B.C.
4th Dynasty
Cheops was the second king of the 4th Dynasty and was the builder
of the Great Pyramid of Giza. Khufu was succeeded by Radjedef,
his son by a lessor wife, whose reign was abruptly ended. He was
succeeded by Khephren, Khufu's son by Queen Henutsen. A miniature
statue of Khufu is on display at the Cairo Museum. This is the
only likeness of him known to be in existence
Pyramids of Dashur (Dahshur)
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Located in South Saqqara stand the pyramids of Dhashur (Dahshur).
The Red Pyramid and the Bent Pyramid are about 2 km south of the
Mastaba Faraoun. The constructor of these pyramids is thought to
have been Snofru (2575 - 2551 BC), who was the first ruler of the
4th Dynasty. Snofru built these two pyramids and is thought to
have built the pyramid at Maidoun. His son was Cheops who
continued his constructive tendencies.
The Red Pyramid is thought to be older and is the only one that
can be entered at this time.. The Bent Pyramid was built out of
limestone which was quarried locally. The casing was of polished
Turah limestone. This pyramid is also known as the Southern
Shining Pyramid. The casing blocks are very stable and very
difficult to remove because they slope inwards. The base of the
pyramid is 188.6m and is 105m high. Because of the bend in
construction, the original angle would have made it 128.5m high.