February 17, 2009
The Original Seven — #1: The Great Pyramid of Giza The Great Pyramid of Giza is the oldest and largest of the three pyramids in the Giza Necropolis bordering what is now Cairo, Egypt, and is the only remaining member of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. It is believed the pyramid was built as a tomb for Fourth dynasty Egyptian King Khufu and constructed over a 20 year period concluding around 2560 BC. The Great Pyramid was the tallest man-made structure in the world for over 3,800 years. Originally the Great Pyramid was covered by casing stones that formed a smooth outer surface, and what is seen today is the underlying core structure. The great mystery behind the pyramid is its construction and finish. The casing stones that once covered the surface were engineered to be so similar and smooth some believe we could not build the pyramid today. The pyramids today are the subject of much scientific and not-so-scientific debate, and have been co-opted by religions, nut cases and the Sci-Fi channel. About the Pyramid: Total Blocks of Stone: over 2,300,000 Base: 13 square acres, 568,500 square feet, or 7 city blocks. The length of each side of the base was originally 754 feet (230 m), but is now 745 feet (227 m) due to the loss of the outer casing stones. Total Weight: 6.5 million tons Average Weight of Individual Blocks of Stone: 2.5 tons, the large blocks used for the ceiling of the King’s Chamber weigh as much as 9 tons. Height: Originally 481 feet (146.5 m) tall, but now only 449 feet (137 m). Construction Material: limestone, granite Warning upon entering Khufu: The 1908 edition of Baedeker’s Egypt warns “Travelers who are in the slightest degree predisposed to apoplectic or fainting fits, and ladies travelling alone, should not attempt to penetrate into these stifling recesses.”

The Original Seven — #1: The Great Pyramid of Giza

The Great Pyramid of Giza is the oldest and largest of the three pyramids in the Giza Necropolis bordering what is now Cairo, Egypt, and is the only remaining member of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. It is believed the pyramid was built as a tomb for Fourth dynasty Egyptian King Khufu and constructed over a 20 year period concluding around 2560 BC. The Great Pyramid was the tallest man-made structure in the world for over 3,800 years. Originally the Great Pyramid was covered by casing stones that formed a smooth outer surface, and what is seen today is the underlying core structure.

The great mystery behind the pyramid is its construction and finish. The casing stones that once covered the surface were engineered to be so similar and smooth some believe we could not build the pyramid today.

The pyramids today are the subject of much scientific and not-so-scientific debate, and have been co-opted by religions, nut cases and the Sci-Fi channel.

About the Pyramid:

  • Total Blocks of Stone: over 2,300,000
  • Base: 13 square acres, 568,500 square feet, or 7 city blocks. The length of each side of the base was originally 754 feet (230 m), but is now 745 feet (227 m) due to the loss of the outer casing stones.
  • Total Weight: 6.5 million tons
  • Average Weight of Individual Blocks of Stone: 2.5 tons, the large blocks used for the ceiling of the King’s Chamber weigh as much as 9 tons.
  • Height: Originally 481 feet (146.5 m) tall, but now only 449 feet (137 m).
  • Construction Material: limestone, granite
  • Warning upon entering Khufu: The 1908 edition of Baedeker’s Egypt warns “Travelers who are in the slightest degree predisposed to apoplectic or fainting fits, and ladies travelling alone, should not attempt to penetrate into these stifling recesses.”
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