Khufu's pyramid, known as the great pyramid of Giza, is the oldest and
largest, rising at 481 feet (146 meters). Archeologists say it was the
tallest structure in the world for about 3, 800 years. The sphinx is a
73.5-meter (241 ft.) long monument built during the reign of Khafra.
Most construction theories are based on the idea that the pyramids were
built by moving huge stones from a quarry and dragging and lifting them
into place. Disagreements arise over the feasibility of the different
proposed methods by which the stones were conveyed and placed. In building
the pyramids, the architects might have developed their techniques over
time. They would select a site on a relatively flat area of bedrock—not
sand—which provided a stable foundation. After carefully surveying the
site and laying down the first level of stones, they constructed the
pyramids in horizontal levels, one on top of the other. For the Great
Pyramid, most of the stone for the interior seems to have been quarried
immediately to the south of the construction site. The smooth exterior of
the pyramid was made of a fine grade of white limestone that was quarried
across the Nile. These exterior blocks had to be carefully cut,
transported by river barge to Giza, and dragged up ramps to the
construction site. Only a few exterior blocks remain in place at the
bottom of the Great Pyramid. During the Middle Ages (5th century to 15th
century), people may have taken the rest away for building projects in the
city of Cairo.
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Pyramid of Giza Operating Hours: Summer (April - September): 8 AM - 5 PM;
Winter (October - March): 8 AM - 4 PM
