The great Egyptian pyramids is one of the most magnificent man-made structures in the world being the last of ancient seven wonders in history. It was built for king (Pharaoh) Khufu who ruled between 2589-2566 BCE which is also called Cheops.
These great pyramid was constructed for over twenty years and holds over 3,000 years records as the tallest structure made by human hands in the world until the spire of Lincoln cathedral was built in c. 1300. With height of 146 meters and width of 230 meters that contains over two millions stones, covered with limestone casing stones that formed a smooth outer surface which is known as underlying structure.
It was said that the pyramids became focus of a cult of the dead king that was supposed to continue well after his death as the belief was that when the king died, part of his ka (spirit) remained with his body and for this to be properly taken care of, the corpse was mummified, and everything the king would need in the afterlife was buried with him which include, food, offering, gold vessels, furniture etc.
The oldest pyramid was built around 2630 B.C. for the third dynasty’s king Djoser which becomes something of tradition that grew to be more ambitious. But pyramid of Giza remains the greatest, located near Cairo on the west bank of river Nile. With three main chambers, where the lowest is cut into bedrock upon which the pyramid was built then the queen’s chamber followed by the king’s chamber.
Millions of people all of the universe visit the pyramids every year drawn by their towering grandeur and the enduring allure of past wealth of Egypt. These pyramids are one of the UNESCO world heritage site.
OLUWASEUN AFOLABI
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