Everyone who comes to Egypt needs to take in the pyramids of Giza; the great pyramid of the pharaoh, Cheops, and the two pyramids of his sons. They are the only survivors of the seven wonders of the ancient world.
And so, a few weeks ago, we took them in with our visiting granddaughter, Julia. At first look they can seem a bit smaller than one first thought. But it doesn’t take long before you’re bowled over by them. Built over 4,000 years ago, they were once covered by smooth white limestone that shined in the sun for miles.
The pyramids are mausoleums. The pharaohs thought that you could take it with you. They spent a good part of their lives and their kingdom’s wealth building huge pyramids which served as lockers for whatever they wanted to take into the afterlife…their bodies, their treasures….. and even their favorite people (woe to their best friends!)
No one knows exactly how the pyramids were built. Archaeologists figure that 100,000 laborers spent 20 years building the largest one. Workers dragged over 2 million huge stones up ramps eventually constructing the 450-foot-high great pyramid.
Long corridors lead to the tomb chamber. Originally, these tunnels were blocked by sliding stones — to keep grave robbers out. Grave robbing must have been hard work. Long tunnels lead to the center of the pyramid. The Pharaoh’s mummy was put in a large stone tomb. The whole room was filled with treasures. Completing the whole scene is the Sphinx. It’s as old as the pyramids; carved out of a piece of hard rock.
Every day the plateau is filled with buses and tourists, camels and ATV”s and horses. The pyramids never cease to amaze!
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