Interesting Facts About the pyramids of ancient Egypt

The Pyramids of Giza are one of the best tourist sites in the world. They have become one of the main attractions for travelers visiting Egypt. This historic site is located in the northern region of the country, on the west bank of the Nile River. There are a total of nine pyramids, but you will find the three largest and most famous pyramids on the Giza Plateau. Don’t forget to visit the Sphinx as well, which is the largest monolithic statue in the world. If you’re eager to visit the pyramids, here are some facts to discover before you start your trip.

The ancient Egyptians’ belief in God made them form a deep-rooted “afterlife concept.” They even believed that “life is just a short stay, and there is lasting pleasure after death.” Therefore, the Egyptians considered heavenly life to be a continuation of earthly life. Influenced by this concept, the ancient Egyptians sincerely prepared for the afterlife when they lived. The pharaohs built tombs for themselves when they were alive, causing the pyramids to be built in ancient Egypt. Therefore, the Kingdom of Ancient Egypt is also known as the Age of the Pyramid Builders.

All the pyramids in ancient Egypt were built on the west bank of the Nile, which has to do with the ancient Egyptians’ view of life and death. The west bank of the Nile is where the sun sets, representing the end of earthly life and the beginning of heavenly life.

In many tourist photos, the three pyramids of Giza are always on the horizon of the desert, showing the mysterious style of ancient Egypt. Many people mistakenly believe that the three pyramids are located in the center of the desert, away from the city. But in reality, they are in front of the bustling urban area of Cairo, only about 15 kilometers away from the city center, and they face busy traffic.

The Pyramid of Cheops is the largest pyramid in Egypt, with an original height of 146.5 meters and a current height of 138.8 meters. It was once the tallest man-made structure in the world. This record was held for 3,871 years, and was not broken until the completion of Lincoln Cathedral in Britain.

The stones to build the pyramids came from three places in Egypt. The stones used in the inner pyramid are collected from sandstone in the desert near Giza. The limestone used for the outer framework is transported from the east bank of the Nile; the granite used for the Great Gallery and tombs came from Aswan, 960 kilometers away. Each year when the Nile floods, a huge flat-bottomed barge carrying the stones drifts towards the mouth of the Nile.

Part of the reason the pyramids survived was the use of mortar. Analysis shows that a lot of strong mortar could be used to fix the stone in place. It is estimated that about 500,000 tons of mortar were used in the construction of the Great Pyramid of Giza alone.

It is a major misconception that the pyramids were built by slaves. Modern archaeologists have found labor records when studying hieroglyphic stone tablets, and found contracts inscribed with food guarantees in the tomb, all of which can prove the existence of labor relations. According to the research, the Great Pyramid of Giza was built by 5,000 permanent employees and 20,000 seasonal workers. Many of the workers who died during the construction of the pyramids were buried in tombs near the pyramids.

The most famous intact ancient Egyptian ship is the 44-meter-long “Cheops Ship” found in the Great Pyramid of Giza. It can be seen that the ancient Egyptians mastered the technique of shipbuilding thousands of years ago. They sailed on the Nile River and took boats for maritime trade with neighboring countries. The first boat was a wooden boat, but it later evolved into a barge and a unique transportation vessel. Ancient Egyptians skillfully used wooden nails and tongues to communicate, demonstrating their mastery of carpentry.

Archaeologists noted that mummifying the dead in ancient Egypt required a long, difficult and expensive process. Generally, only the privileged class could afford it. Most of the dead were buried in the desert. Interestingly, the hot, dry desert is more sanitized than the sarcophagus in the tomb.

Egypt is not the only country with pyramids
About 140 pyramids have been found in the regions of ancient Egypt, the most famous of which are the three pyramids of Giza. However, there are pyramids in many parts of the world. Egypt is not the country with the largest number of pyramids. In the desert more than 240 kilometers from Khartoum, the capital of Sudan, there is a pyramid complex with 220 pyramids, which is more than the pyramids in Egypt.

The warmth of its people, the beauty of its landscapes, and the grandeur of its monuments make holidays in Egypt one of the favorite options for tourists.
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