Great pyramid giza closeup

The Great Pyramid of Giza, the oldest and only surviving Wonder of the Ancient World, stands at 138.5 meters high today.

About this subject

The Great Pyramid of Giza, also known as the Pyramid of Khufu or Cheops, is the largest of the three pyramids in the Giza necropolis, located on the outskirts of Cairo, Egypt. Built around 2560 BC, it was commissioned by Pharaoh Khufu (Cheops) of the Fourth Dynasty of the Old Kingdom. Originally standing at 146.6 meters (481 feet) tall, it now measures 138.5 meters (454 feet) due to the loss of its outer casing of white limestone and the pyramidion. Its square base covers about 5.3 hectares (13 acres), with each side approximately 230 meters (755 feet) long. It is estimated that the pyramid comprises 2.3 million stone blocks, each weighing an average of 2.5 tons, totaling about 6 million tons. The pyramid's alignment with the cardinal points is remarkably precise, deviating by only 3 minutes of arc.

Internally, the pyramid contains three main chambers: the King's Chamber, the Queen's Chamber, and the Grand Gallery. The King's Chamber, built entirely of granite, holds an empty granite sarcophagus. The Grand Gallery, 8.7 meters (28.5 feet) high, is a sloping corridor with a corbelled ceiling. The original entrance is located 17 meters (56 feet) high on the north face, but visitors today use a tunnel forced by the Abbasid caliphs in the 9th century. The pyramid has been explored by numerous historians and archaeologists, such as Herodotus in the 5th century BC and Napoleon Bonaparte in 1798, who calculated that the pyramid's stones could build a 3-meter-high wall around France.

The construction of the Great Pyramid remains one of the greatest engineering feats of humanity. The most accepted theory is that ramps of earth, stone, and wood were used to transport and position the massive blocks. The outer casing of white limestone, removed over the centuries for use in other buildings, gave the pyramid a smooth, gleaming surface. Today, the pyramid attracts millions of tourists annually and is the centerpiece of Egypt's cultural landscape. In 1979, it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site as part of the Giza complex. Despite centuries of study, mysteries remain, such as the possible existence of hidden chambers and the exact construction techniques. Recently, in 2023, a 9-meter-long hidden corridor was discovered using muon tomography, revealing new spaces never before explored.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the current height of the Great Pyramid of Giza?

The Great Pyramid currently stands at 138.5 meters (454 feet) tall, having lost about 8 meters due to the removal of its outer white limestone casing and the pyramidion.

How many stone blocks make up the Great Pyramid?

The pyramid is estimated to consist of approximately 2.3 million stone blocks, each weighing an average of 2.5 tons, totaling about 6 million tons.

Who built the Great Pyramid and during which period?

The pyramid was built around 2560 BC under the orders of Pharaoh Khufu (also known as Cheops) of the Fourth Dynasty of the Old Kingdom of Egypt.