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The Great Pyramid Of Giza  It served as the tomb of pharaoh Khufu, who ruled during the Fourth Dynasty of the Old Kingdom. Built in 2600 BC, over a period of about 26 years. Hemiunu, Khufu's vizier, is believed by some to be the architect of the Great Pyramid. Purpose: The primary function of the Great Pyramid was to serve as the burial tomb for Pharaoh Khufu. It also served to showcase the pharaoh's power and ensure his journey to the afterlife. It had, like other tombs of Egyptian elites, four main purposes: It housed the body of the deceased and kept it safe. It demonstrated the status of the deceased and his family. It retained the deceased's place in society. It was a place where offerings could be brought to the deceased. Construction: The pyramid was built using an estimated 2.3 million stone blocks, mostly limestone sourced locally from the Giza Plateau. White limestone from Tura was used for the outer casing, and granite from Aswan, some blocks weighing up to 80 tonnes, was used for the interior structures, including the King's Chamber. Scholars believe the blocks were transported by boat on the Nile and then moved up ramps using sleds, rollers, and levers. Interestingly, archaeological evidence suggests the pyramid was built by tens of thousands of skilled Egyptian laborers who were compensated for their work, not by slaves, as was once popularly believed. Size and Structure: Initially, the Great Pyramid stood at 146.6 meters (481 feet) tall, making it the world's tallest man-made structure for over 3,800 years. Due to erosion and the removal of its smooth white limestone casing over time, its current height is 138.5 meters (454.4 feet). The base is roughly 230.3 meters (755.6 feet) square. Until the Eiffel Tower was completed in Paris, France in 1889 CE, the Great Pyramid was the tallest structure made by human hands in the world, a record it held for over 3,000 years and one unlikely to be broken. Interior: Inside the pyramid are three main chambers: the unfinished subterranean chamber, the Queen's Chamber, and the King's Chamber. The King's Chamber is lined and roofed with granite and contains a granite sarcophagus. Two narrow shafts run from this chamber to the exterior, their purpose still debated (possibly religious or for ventilation). Giza Necropolis: The Great Pyramid is part of the larger Giza Necropolis complex, which also includes the Pyramids of Khafre and Menkaure, smaller pyramids for queens, temples, causeways, and the iconic Great Sphinx. This entire complex is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. |