Building of the Great Pyramid

The Great Pyramid of Giza, built around 2560 BCE for Pharaoh Khufu (also known as Cheops), is the oldest and largest of the three pyramids on the Giza plateau. Standing 481 feet tall, it was the tallest structure in the world for over 3,800 years. The pyramid contains approximately 2.3 million stone blocks, each weighing an average of 2.5 tons, with some blocks weighing up to 80 tons. How the ancient Egyptians built it remains one of history's great questions: they likely used a combination of ramps, levers, sledges, and an organized workforce of skilled laborers (not slaves, as was once believed). The pyramid served as a royal tomb and was intended to ensure the pharaoh's safe passage to the afterlife. It is the only surviving wonder of the ancient world.

Key Takeaways