History: 古埃及金字塔 – The Ancient Egyptian Pyramids

The Ancient Egyptian Pyramids

The ancient Egyptian pyramids are among the most famous ancient structures in the world, mainly located on the west bank of the Nile River in Egypt. The most famous group is called the ‘Giza Pyramid Complex,’ located next to modern-day Cairo.

The Largest Pyramid

The largest pyramid at Giza was built for Pharaoh Khufu, called the ‘Pyramid of Khufu,’ also known as the ‘Great Pyramid.’ It was completed in the early 25th century BCE. The Great Pyramid stands 146 meters (481 feet) tall. Until 1221 CE, no human-made structure was taller than it – meaning this pyramid remained the world’s tallest building for over 3,800 years.

The Great Pyramid is not only tall but also built with remarkable precision. Each side of the pyramid’s base is over 230 meters long, yet the difference between the four sides is only 4.4 centimeters – an extraordinary achievement for over four thousand years ago.

Who Built the Pyramids?

Many people assume the pyramids were built by slaves, but this theory has been disproven by modern archaeology. Archaeological evidence shows that the workers who built the pyramids were not slaves, but skilled laborers. From the workers’ residential areas and cemeteries, we can see they ate well and were treated with respect.

The entire project took approximately twenty to thirty years and required over two million massive stones.

The Purpose of the Pyramids

The pyramids primarily served as tombs for pharaohs. Ancient Egyptians believed that after death, pharaohs would go to another world, so magnificent tombs needed to be built for them, filled with various items to help them in the afterlife.

Interestingly, the large pyramids at Giza actually contain no hieroglyphics, treasures, or mummies inside. Interior decorations only began appearing in pyramids built hundreds of years after those of Khufu, Khafre, and Menkaure.

The Pyramids Today

The Giza Pyramid Complex is the only one of the ‘Seven Wonders of the Ancient World’ that survives today. It was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979. Today, millions of tourists still visit Egypt each year to see these structures built over 4,500 years ago.

In recent years, scientists have used new technologies such as cosmic rays to discover previously unknown spaces inside the Great Pyramid. There are still many mysteries about the pyramids waiting to be solved.