The Great Pyramid of Giza, aside from being the only remaining structure of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, is one of the most impressive archaeological structures in existence. In Ancient Egypt, pyramids were constructed to be the burial places of royals, meant to be a monument to their greatness and house their treasures for the afterlife. The Great Pyramid is no different. Originally completed around 2560 B.C., the Great Pyramid was built for King Khufu.

The inside of the Great Pyramid is composed of many different tunnels, passages, and chambers. The main chamber is the King's Chamber, which was originally 10 × 20 × 11.2 cubits large. The Queen's Chamber is the smallest and is located in the middle. There is also an “unfinished chamber” located about 90 feet below the surface. It is thought to be the original location of the burial chamber of King Khufu, until he changed his mind. However entering the Great Pyramid is at your own risk - make sure your travel insurance covers you in case you get injured.

Originally, the Great Pyramid was covered by highly polished casing stones that reflected the light of the sun. In fact, the glare off the stones was so bright that they could be seen from many miles away. They were loosened by an earthquake in 1301, and were taken to be used for building other structures.

The construction of the Great Pyramid has been a mystery for centuries. The structure is so soundly built that it seems almost preposterous that it had been built with limited technology thousands of years ago. It has lasted through over 4,000 years of earthquakes, contractions and expansions, and settling due to its unique ball and socket construction. The measurements were amazingly precise, and its unique construction makes it one of the Earth's most surveyed monuments.

Fun Facts About the Great Pyramid

• It was the tallest man-made structure in the world for nearly 4,000 years.
• The Great Pyramid is 30 times bigger than the Empire State Building in New York City.
• The limestone used to construct the Great Pyramid was excavated at quarries along the Nile, and were then carried up or down the River to the location of the Pyramid.

Statistics

• The temperature inside the Pyramid is constantly 68 degrees.
• The estimated weight of the Pyramid is 6.5 million tons.
• Approximately 2.3 million blocks of stone make up the Great Pyramid.
• It took 20 years to complete construction.

Resources

• National Geographic's Great Pyramid Page – provides pictures, facts, information.
• Khufu's Great Pyramid – an entry from the Museum of Unnatural History
• Great Pyramid of Giza Research Association – funds research on the Great Pyramid.
• The Great Pyramid of Giza – outlines the construction of the Pyramid.
• Great Pyramid Web Paper – a well-written academic paper on the Great Pyramid.
• PyramidCam – a live webcam feed of the Great Pyramid.
• Travel Medical Insurance - prepare yourself before your trip to Egypt.