Khufu

The Pharaoh was commonly known as Cheops. He ruled in the 4th dynasty (2551-2528 B.C) He was the second Pharaoh of this period and he ruled for 23 years. According to archaeologists, not much is known about Khufu’s personal life or his accomplishments. Many assume that this period was a highly structured society and that he must have gained great wealth. His most known and famous construction was the Great Pyramid of Giza. The Pyramid is about 481 feet tall. 

The pyramid has so much fame, more famous than the builder, Khufu. Although he was the one who organized the construction, not much is known about the Pharaoh due to the fact that his remains have never been found. There was only an empty sarcophagus in the center of the King’s Chamber located inside the pyramid. And a very small statue of 9 cm of Khufu has been found. This statue was not found in Giza or near the pyramid, it was found to the south at the Temple of Osiris at Abydos. Many believed that his tomb was robbed.

Many archaeologists believe that Khufu led military into the Sinai, Nubia and Libya. Khufu was believed by some to have been a ruthless and cruel Pharaoh. He commanded a tremendous ability to organized and mobilized workers to build the Great Pyramid. Khufu was the son of a pyramid builder, King Sneferu. He probably learned a lot from his father. 

There are many theories surrounding the construction of the Great Pyramid of Giza. The lamest theory, suggested by many, suggests that aliens built the pyramid. The second theory, experts suggest that slaves were forced to work daily until the task was finished. The other theory, however, suggests the pyramid was built by thousands of skilled workers who camped near the pyramids everyday and worked for a salary. 

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http://guardians.net/egypt/khufu.htm

Pyramid of Cheops or also known as the Great Pyramid at Giza.  You can call these monuments as one of the Seven Wonders of the World.  Pyramid is the oldest and the three found in Egypt.  According to Egyptologist, believes that the pyramid was built over the grave of the dynasty of four Egyptians.  To perform this construction took about 14-20 years, which was built in 2560 BC.  This is an impressive monument and a landmark for Egypt, where millions of people come to see this spectacular site.  Believe it or not, the fact that this pyramid is a structure that is male and measured at a height of 480.6 meters.  This is the tallest structure made by man, which is recognized as one of the wonders, even in the world.  Pyramid of Khufu is the oldest monument in the world that was built three years ago in 1800.

Basically, this pyramid was closed down by the stones on the outside forming a smooth surface.  Even today, if you visit you can see the original structure is not destroyed.  To build this one of the Seven Wonders of the World has taken millions of rock known as limestone material.  Many Egyptians were used as workers for the construction of this site.  They were forced to lift, move and drag the huge stones in place to be.  In this pyramid, there are three well-known cameras.  The lower house is registered in a layer of solid stone pyramid was built.  For kings and queens of the two cameras were placed on top of the pyramid.

When you see the pyramid can be noticed that the passages are made in ascending and descending, which is found only in the Great Pyramid of Giza.  The most important part of Giza are the two mortuary temples in honor of Khufu.  Between the two temples, one near the pyramid, the other near the Nile.  In this area there are three small pyramids that were made in honor of the wives of Cheops.  These small pyramids were known as “Satellite”.  In addition to the two temples, there is a small pit that surrounds the pyramid is called a mastaba.  For the construction of this site baeutfil found among the Seven Wonders of the World, used the stone facing sloping roof, flat on top of white limestone and refined.  The stones were so heavy box that was not easy to lift one person, but that’s about 193 centimeters.

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This great pyramid was  believed to be built to be used as tomb for the Pharaoh Khufu by the fourth dynasty Egyptians. It was constructed for over 20 years concluding around 2540. This pyramid was considered as the tallest man made structure for over 3,800 years in the world.

It was covered by casing stones forming a smooth outer surface. This smooth surface was being vanish, what remains today is the underlying core structure. Scientific and alternative theories varies regarding the construction technique of this Great Pyramid. The most acceptable theory of its construction is that it was built with moving huge stones.This stones were came from a quarry and were being dragged and lifted them into their respective places in the pyramid.

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There are three chambers inside the pyramid, the lowest chamber, the Kings chamber and the Queens chamber. The lowest chamber was said to be unfinished and it was being cut into the bedrocks which the pyramid was built. The King’s chamber and the Queens chamber were located higher up within the structure of the pyramid. Within the complex, the Great Pyramid of Giza was considered as the main part. There are two mortuary temples in the honor of Khufu.

One of this temples is located near the Nile river and the other one is near Khufu’s pyramid. There are three other small pyramids,these pyramids are for Khufu’s wives. The architect of this pyramid was Hemon or Hemiunu, the vizier of Khufu. Scientist and expert believe that the pyramid was originally 280 Egyptian cubits tall, 146.59 metres or 480.94 ft. Erosion was said to loss its pyramid-ion. The current height of the pyramid is about 138.74 metres or 544.18 ft. The base side of the pyramid measures 440 royal cubits, about 230.37 metres or 755.81 ft. Royal cubit measures 0.524 meters.

The pyramid has estimated mass of 5.9 million tones and the volume of 2,500,000 cubic meters including an internal hillock. With the estimation of 20 years construction, it was assumed that it took an approximately 800 tones being installed on the pyramid everyday. Sir Flinders Petrie an Egyptologist is the first one who established the first precision measurements of the great pyramid in 1880-1882. He published the Pyramid and Temple of Gizeh. Almost all reports are based on this measurements. The casting stones and the interior chamber blocks of this great pyramid were in a high precision and fit together. With the measurement taken on the north-eastern casing stone, it was observed that the mean opening of the joints are measured only about 0.5 millimeters width or 1/50th inch. The pyramid was considered as the tallest mam-made structure in the world for about 3,800 years.

It was only surpassed by Lincoln Cathedra completed about 1300 with its 160 meter tall spire. It was observed that the accuracy of the pyramid is that the four side of its base have a mean error of only 58 millimeters in lenght. The sides of the square base are aligned closely to the cardinal compass point, (it is within 4 minutes of arc) basing true north,not magnetic north. The finished based was squared to a corner error of 12 seconds of arc. Its base is horizontal,and it is flat to within 15 mm. The Great pyramid was built with a lime stone block of 2.3 million.

This limestone block was obtained from a nearby quarry. Tufa limestone was used for casing and it was quarried across the river. A granite stone was found in the kings chamber. It was considered as the largest granite stone in the entire pyramid. It weigh 25 to 80 tonnes. It was believe that it was being transported away from Aswan for about 500 miles.The Egyptians cutted the stone blocks by hammering wedges to the stone, the stone then were soak wi watersth. As the wedges expand,the rock goes to crack. After the rocks had been cutted, they will be transported by boat within the Nile river to the pyramid construction site.

Upon its completion, the Great Pyramid was surfaced with white casing stones. They were slant–faced,flat top and block sand they highly polished with limestone.To give its overall dimension, the casing were cutted to approximately face lope with a seel of 5 1/2 palms.

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A massive earthquake loosened many of this outer casing stones in the year AD 1301. These stones were carted away to Cairo by Bahri Sultan An-Nasir Nasir-ad-Din al-Hasan in the year 1356. The stones was used to build mosques and fortresses. The stones can still be seen as part of those mosques and fortresses that was built in Cairo. There are many theories regarding the pyramid’s construction. It was believed that the block of stone were being quarried or could be casted.

Most experts believed that the block of stones were move from a quarry. Experts still unable to explain clearly whether the blocks of stones were dragged, lifted or rolled in place. The Ancient Greeks believe that Egyptians used slave laborers to built the pyramid. Egyptologist and experts in contrast, believe that the pyramid was built not by the slaved laborers but by thousands of skilled workers. These skilled workers camped near the pyramid. They worked for the pyramid for a salary or in order for them to pay taxes. The cemeteries of these workers were discovered by the archaeologists Zahi Hawass and Mark Lehn in the year 1990.

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Expert say that the laborers were organized into hierarchy. They were consisted of two gangs of about 100,000 men. They were further divided into five phyle (zaa) of 20,000 men. It is further divide according to the worker’s skills. These great pyramid had two passages, the ascending passage and the descending passage and contains three known chambers.Today’s entrance of the pyramid was a forced tunnel, dug around 820 A.D by Caliph Al-’mum together with his men. The forced tunnel is about 30 meters and meets the descending passage which where by then blocked with a series of massive granite plugs. As the workmen were unable to remove the block successfully, they tunneled around the plugs and they discovered the Ascending Passage.

The passage leads them to the Grand Gallery and to the interior chamber and found them empty.The pyramids original entrance was unknown at that time. They are several meters above the forced entry and probably, it was also blocked with a granite plugs. The main chamber of this pyramid is the King’s chamber. A lenghty series of entrance ways leads its location. It is originally 10 x 20 11.4 cubits, or 5.235 m x 10.47 m x 5.974 m and comprising a double 10 x 10 cubit square floor. It has a height equal to the half the double square diagonal.

There are two small shafts that ascend out of the pyramid discovered closed off at both ends originally. Expert once believed that they were used for the ventilation purposes. Later some expert say that these shafts were used for ceremonial purposes.It was being thought that the ancient Egyptians believed that there Pharaoh’s spirit would rise up to heaven.The Egyptians lined the King’s Chamber with granites These granites were brought from Aswan to the south.

Aswan has a distance of 935 kilometers or 580 miles. The smallest chamber is the Queen’s chamber. it measured approximately 5.74 by 5.23 meters. It has a height of 4.57 meters in height These chamber is lined with limestone. Its roof is made of large limestone slabs. There is a large angular doorway or niche on its eastern wall.Lies within 27.5 meters below the ground level and is rough-hewn is the unfinished chamber. It is lacking the precision of the other chamber.

Experts believe that this chamber was originally intended to be the original burial chamber and then the Pharaoh Khufu changed his mind and wanted the burial place to be higher up in the pyramid.Pyramid building continued until the end of Egypt’s Middle Kingdom, although these succeeding pyramids were smaller.

The Old Kingdom (2686-2181 B.C.). Like many kingdoms on the rise, the Old Kingdom of Egyt consisted of numerous independent communities. Its capital was Memphis.

The period in Egypt’s history was famous for the pyramids – ht etombs of the pharaos. An estimated 80 pramids were built during the time of the Old Kingdom.

The biggest pyramid in Egypt’s can be found in the city of Giza. King Khufu (or CHeops) had built in preparation for his death. This “Great Pyramid” has height of close to 147 meters, while the base has an area of five hectares.

Courtesy: Flickr

The pyramids are recognized as unique structures that showcase the artistry and skill of the Egyptians in architecture and construction. Up to now, it is not known for certain how they were able to carry the stones used in building the pyramids. Based on observations, the huge stones are so exact in shape that not even a thin-bladed sword can go through its gaps.

Although the first phase of the Old Kingdom was peaceful, the last years chaotic and marred by civil war. The power of the pharaos weakened, while locals leaders became more influential, causing more confusion. This hastened the downfall of the Old Kingdom; and for the next 200 years, provincial lords ruled more or less independently.

The Middle Kingdom (1191-1786 B.C.). Prince Mentuhotep II of Thebes reunited Egypt under a new, strong dynasty. With the restoration of a centralized government, the influence of local leaders weakened.

Mentuhotep II and his successors initiated many changes. A good number of roads were built to foster trade. Agricultural projects were implemented. Canals were widened for irrigation purposes, resulting in bountiful harvests.

Prince Mentuhotep / Courtesy: Flickr

These changes, however, did not prevent the fall of the Middle Kingdom. In 1786 B.C., the Hyksos (”Rulers of Foreign Lands”) invaded Egypt, which by then had been greatly weakened by internal conflicts. The Hyksos were Asians who had established themselves in the Nile River delta and had put up a capital in Avaris.

The New Kingdom, or Empire (1567-1085 B.C.). The Hyksos were expelled by Amosis. (Ahmose), who reunited all of Egypt under his control and was the recognized founder of the New Kingdom. The mighty pharaos came into power once again.

The succeeding line of pharaohs was again bestowed with the strong, unlimited authority of the early pharaohs. They became absolutely strict in running the government and controlling officials of the kingdom. They formed mighty combat forces composed of an army and navy that, for the first time, used weapons made of iron. Horse-drawn chariots of war were also utilized.

This stage of the New Kingdom was important, because it was during this time Egypt became an empire, with vast territories extending to western Asia.

Because of the belief that the pharaoh was a god, he could not marry an ordinary person. It was just right, therefore, that he should marry someone of the same stature.

Often, the pharaohs married his sister – which was the case with Thutmose II and his wife, Hatshepsut.

WHen Thutmose II died, his son, Thutmose III, succeeded him. But on the second year of his reign, Queen Hatshepsut had herself crowned as pharaoh. Despite the attendant controversies, she proved to be a capable leader. She gave more importance to the welfare of the kingdom rather than to warfare. During the reign of Queen Hatshepsut, Egypt became extremely influential and was able to open trade with more foreign countries.

Thutmose III succeeded his mother upon his death. He was known for his ambitious projects and successful conquests of other countries. As pharaoh, Thutmose III extended the Empire’s boundaries, which stretched from the Euphrates River to the shores of the Mediterranean Sea.

Many more pharaohs came into powers during the New Kingdom. We have come to know several of them through their remains, found on pyramids. The most famous example, perhaps, is Tutankhamen, whose coffin was discovered is 1922. 

Tutankhamen / Courtesy: Flickr

Another pharaoh – Amenhotep IV – tried to strengthen monotheism, or the belief in only one god. From 1377-1358 B.C., Amenhotep encouraged the worship of his personal god, Aton, the “Divine Sun Disk”. At other gods and goddesses inside the kingdom. After his death, the religion he established did not last much longer.

Amenhotep IV / Courtesy: Flickr

Ramses II, who lives around 1300 B.C., is said to have been the much-feared pharaoh of the Biblical Exodus. Early in his reign, he led the Egyptian army against the powerful Hitties and married one of their kind. A hundred years after Ramses II, Egypt was beset by internal conflicts and started on a period of decline. The temple priests had become richer and more powerful; soon, they had made themselves kings, and Egypt began breaking up into small states. Thus, it was Ethiopians, Nubians, and Libyans – and by emerging powers like the Assyrians, Persians, and Greeks.

Ramses II / Courtesy: Flickr

The great pyramid of Khufu has a mystery related to its placement. Its placement is exactly in the centre of gravity of its continent. Moreover it divides the earth’s land into equal quarters as it lies in the center of the earth (land mass). The remarkable thing is that these structures were built around 2600 B.C. which makes it impossible for such accurate calculations to be made.  The number of blocks of stone that were used to build the structure was about 2.3 million.

The ratio of the slant height to the half base height is equal to the golden ratio which is only contained by the relationship between earth and moon in the solar system. So a question arises that why would the Egyptians build a Pyramid using the golden ratio? And what significance would it make to them. Taking the mystery deeper, the perimeter of the sun’s pyramid as well as the great pyramid is nearly equal only the difference is that the height of the sun’s pyramid is nearly half as that of the great pyramid. But till date there has not been any clue to all the mysteries that still stand tall in front of all the scientists and archeologists that are researching on the structures.

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