There are a few things you may not know about the ancient places in the world, so let’s delve in to crazy facts about the pyramids of Giza.
The Pyramids of Giza, most referred to as The Pyramids of Egypt, are an iconic symbol of the Ancient World, which many of us around the World can instantly recognise.
Not only is the history of these incredible monuments fascinating, but the theories of how they were even constructed are just as intriguing, making this one of the top visited places in the World. This would surprise you if you thought you knew everything about these marvellous historical remains.
Here are 10 crazy facts about the Pyramids of Giza that you might not have known, which will make you want to visit the Pyramids even more!
10. The Great Pyramid has three known chambers – corridors and chambers within
The biggest of them all, The Great Pyramid, has three chambers we know of. They consist of The Queens Chamber, The Grand Gallery and The Kings Chamber. This structure also has a high-ceiling hallway and an unfinished underground chamber with tunnels connecting them.
9. It was the tallest structure made by people for 3,800 years – an impressive title
Well before structures like the Eiffel Tower in Paris and the Lincoln Cathedral in England were built, The Pyramids of Giza held the title of the tallest human-made structure for 3,800 years.
While there are many human-made structures these days, the pyramids remain iconic for their historical significance as a landmark.
8. They took twenty years to build – one of the most crazy facts about the Pyramids of Giza
Considering it is still unknown exactly how many labourers it took to create these incredible structures and how exactly they did it, one of the craziest facts about the pyramids of Giza is that it was built over twenty years, which is rather impressive if you ask us.
7. They have become smaller over time – the shrunken pyramids
Yes, that’s right, one of the top crazy facts about the Pyramids of Giza is that they have shrunk over the years, and constant measuring can prove this.
The Great Pyramid, for instance, which once stood 146m (481ft) tall, now stands 138m (455ft) tall, and the same goes for the other pyramids due to erosion.
6. They have been looted by grave robbers – for a variety of reasons
Long before excavations began, looting was common in Ancient Egypt, with descendants taking what they believed was their inheritance after the King died.
Due to the hardships during those times and as an act of revenge, people also resorted to looting the tombs for precious relics.
5. The sides are aligned in cardinal directions – an incredible revelation
Many historical sites throughout the World have been built with the stars and the sun in mind, and the Pyramids of Giza are no different.
The sides and the base of the Great Pyramid point in all cardinal directions, which has proved incredibly and impressively accurate.
4. The Great Pyramid has over 2 million stones – a tough job to do
One of the top crazy facts about the Pyramids of Giza is that the Great Pyramid, which was known to be the tomb of King Khufu, was made up of over 2.3 million blocks of stones.
They are said to have been either quarried from Giza or transported by boat, nevertheless each of these weighed between 25 – 80 tonnes.
3. They were once covered in white limestone – built to reflect the sun
If you didn’t already know, the Pyramids of Giza haven’t always looked as they do now; in fact, they were once coated with a limestone casing to reflect the sun
However, over the years, this has disappeared for a variety of reasons. Today the remains of this unique white limestone can still be seen in some parts of the structures.
2. They were built during the reign of King Khufu – potential burial tombs
King Khufu reigned in Egypt from 2589-2566 BCE, and not long after he came into power as the second King of the fourth dynasty, he began planning a tomb for his burial.
The impressive Great Pyramid is said to have been built for him, while other surrounding pyramids were made for his family.
1. It is the only remaining Seven Wonder of the Ancient World – a legendary place
Most of us know that the Pyramids of Giza are one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, but did you know that they are the ONLY remaining historical site from the category? If this isn’t impressive, we don’t know what is!
The Pyramids of Giza are well known to many of us, but these crazy facts tell us a little more about the history and legacy of these impressive structures.