Man fears Time, yet Time fears the Pyramids

Arab proverb 










It is the one and only Wonder which does not require a description by
early historians and poets. It is the one and only Wonder that does not
need speculations concerning its appearance, size, and shape. It is the
oldest, yet it is the only surviving of the Seven Ancient Wonders. It is
the Great Pyramid of Giza.  




Location


At the city of Giza, a necropolis of ancient Memphis, and today part
of Greater Cairo, Egypt

History
Contrary to the common belief, only the Great Pyramid of Khufu (Cheops)
rather than all three Great Pyramids is on top of the list of Wonders. 
The monument was built by the Egyptian pharaoh Khufu of the Fourth Dynasty 
around the year BC 2560 to serve as a tomb when he dies. The tradition of 
pyramid building started in AncientEgypt as a sophistication of the idea 
of a mastaba or "platform"covering the royal tomb. Later, 
several stacked mastabas were used.
Early pyramids, such as the Step Pyramid of King Zoser (Djoser) at Saqqara
by the famous Egyptian architect, Imhotep, illustrate this connection.
The great pyramid is believed to have been built
over a 20 year period. The site was first prepared, and blocks of stone
were transported and placed. An outer casing (which disappeared over the
years) was then used to smooth the surface. Although it is not known how
the blocks were put in place, several theories have been proposed. One
theory involves the construction of a straight or spiral ramp that was
raised as the construction proceeded. This ramp, coated with mud and water,
eased the displacement of the blocks which were pushed (or pulled) into
place. A second theory suggests that the blocks were placed using long
levers with a short angled foot. 

Throughout their history, the pyramids of Giza have stimulated human
imagination. They were referred to as "The Granaries of Joseph"
and "The Mountains of Pharaoh". When Napoleon
invaded Egypt in 1798, his pride was expressed through his famous quote:
"Soldats! Du haute de ces Pyramides, 40 siècles nous contemplent".
(Soldiers! From the top of these Pyramids, 40 centuries are looking
at us). Today, the Great Pyramid is enclosed, together with the other pyramids
and the Sphinx, in the touristic region of the Giza Plateau. 
Also in the area is the museum housing the mysterious Sun
Boat, only discovered in 1954 near the south side of the pyramid. The
boat is believed to have been used to carry the body of Khufu in his last
journey on earth before being buried inside the pyramid. It may also serve
him as a means of transportation in his afterlife journey according to
Ancient Egyptian beliefs. 




Description
When it was built, the Great pyramid was 145.75 m (481 ft) high. Over
the years, it lost 10 m (30 ft) off its top. It ranked as the tallest structure
on Earth for more than 43 centuries, only to be surpassed in height in
the nineteenth century AD. It was covered with a casing of stones to smooth
its surface (some of the casing can still be seen near the top of Khefre's
pyramid). The sloping angle of its sides is 54 degrees 54 minutes.
Each side is carefully oriented with one of the cardinal points of the
compass, that is, north, south, east, and west. The horizontal cross section
of the pyramid is square at any level, with each side measuring 229 m in
length. The maximum error between side lengths is astonishingly less than
0.1%. The structure consists of more than 2 million blocks of stone, each
weighing several tons. It has been suggested that there are enough blocks
in the three pyramids to build a 3 m (10 ft) high 0.3 m (1 ft) thick wall
around France. The area covered by the Great pyramid can accommodate St
Peter's in Rome, the cathedrals of Florence
and Milan, and Westminster and St Paul's in London combined. 

On the north face, is the pyramid's entrance. A number of corridors,
galleries, and escape shafts either lead to the King's burial chamber,
or were intended to serve other functions. The King's chamber is located
at the heart of the pyramid, only accessible through the Great Gallery
and an ascending corridor. The King's sarcophagus is made of red granite,
as are the interior walls of the King's Chamber. Most impressive is the
sharp-edged stone over the doorway which is over 3 m (10 ft) long, 2.4
m (8 feet) high and 1.3 m (4 ft) thick. All of the interior stones fit
so well, a card won't fit between them. The sarcophagus is oriented in
accordance with the compass directions, and is only about 1 cm smaller
in dimensions than the chamber entrance. It might have been introduced
as the structure was progressing.
New theories concerning the origin and purpose of the Pyramids of Giza
have been proposed... Astronomic observatories... Places of cult worship...
Geometric structures constructed by a long-gone civilization... 
Even extraterrestrial-related theories have been proposed with little 
evidence in support... The overwhelming scientific and historic evidence 
still supports the conclusion  that, like many smaller pyramids in the 
region, the Great Pyramids were built by the great Ancient Egyptian 
civilization off the West bank of the Nile as tombs for their magnificent 
Kings... Tombs whereKhufu, Khefre, and Menkaure could start their mystic 
journey to the afterlife.