As soon as Pharaoh Khufu ascended the throne around 2575 BCE, work on his eternal resting place began. The structure’s architect, Hemiunu, estimated that he would need 20 years to finish the royal tomb. What he could not predict was that this monument would remain the world’s tallest manmade structure for over 3,800 years.
To construct the Great Pyramid, Hemiunu had to dig a 6-and-a-half-kilometer canal, quarry enormous amounts of limestone and granite, and use kilometers of rope to pull stones into place. Today, there are still vigorous debates about the exact methods the Egyptians employed. However, we do know that first Hemiunu needed a construction site. The Egyptians spoke of death as going west like the setting sun, and the Nile’s west bank had a plateau of bedrock that could support the pyramid better than shifting sand. In a brilliant timesaving move, masons carved the plateau itself to look like the stones used for the rest of the pyramid. With this level of foundation in place, construction could begin.
The project called for a staggering 25,000 workers, but fortunately, Hemiunu had an established labor supply. Egyptians were required to perform manual labor for the government throughout the year, and citizens from across the country came to contribute. Workers performed a wide range of tasks, from crafting tools and clothes to administrative work to back-breaking manual labor. Contrary to popular belief, these workers were not enslaved people. In fact, these citizens were housed and fed with rations better than the average Egyptian could afford.
To complete the project in 20 years, one block of stone would need to be quarried, transported, and pushed into place every 3 minutes, 365 days a year. Workers averaged 10-hour days, hauling limestone from two different quarries. One was close to the site, but its fossil-lined yellow stone was deemed suitable only for the pyramid’s interior. Stones for the outside were hauled from roughly 13 kilometers away, using 9-meter-long sleds made from giant cedar trunks.
When mined from the ground, limestone is soft and splits easily into straight lines. But after air exposure it hardens, requiring wooden mallets and copper chisels to shape. The pyramid used over 2 million stones, each weighing up to 80 tons. And there was no room for error in how they were shaped. Even the smallest inaccuracy at the bottom of the pyramid could result in a catastrophic failure at the top.
Researchers know where the materials used to build the pyramids came from and how they were transported, but the actual construction process remains mysterious. Most experts agree that limestone ramps were used to move the stones into place, but there are many theories on the number of ramps and their locations.
And the pyramid’s exterior is just half the story. Since death could come for the pharaoh at any time, Hemiunu always needed an accessible burial chamber at the ready, so three separate burial chambers were built during construction. The last of these, known as the King’s Chamber, is a spacious granite room with a soaring ceiling, located at the heart of the pyramid. It lay on top of an 8.5-meter high passageway called the Grand Gallery, which may have been used as an ancient freight elevator to move granite up the pyramid’s interior.
Granite was used for all the pyramid’s support beams. Much stronger than limestone, but extremely difficult to shape, workers used dolerite rocks as hammers to slowly quarry the stone. To ensure the granite beams would be ready when he needed them, Hemiunu dispatched 500 workers in the project’s first year so that the material would be ready 12 years later. Five stories of granite sit atop the King’s Chamber, preventing the pyramid from collapsing in on itself.
Once complete, the entire structure was encased with white limestone and polished with sand and stone until it gleamed. Finally, a capstone was placed on top. Covered with electrum and glimmering like gold, this peak shined like a second sun over all of Egypt.
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1. How do you think the construction of the Great Pyramid reflects the power and ambition of Pharaoh Khufu and ancient Egyptian society?
2. What do you find most impressive or surprising about the methods and materials used in the construction of the Great Pyramid?
3. How do you think the organization and management of such a large workforce contributed to the successful completion of the project?
4. How do you think the choice of materials, such as limestone and granite, impacted the durability and longevity of the Great Pyramid?
5. What do you think the significance of the pyramid’s interior, including the burial chambers and the King’s Chamber, tells us about ancient Egyptian beliefs and practices surrounding death and the afterlife?
6. How does the construction of the Great Pyramid challenge our modern perceptions of ancient civilizations and their capabilities?
7. What do you think motivated Pharaoh Khufu to build such an extravagant and monumental structure as his eternal resting place?
8. How do you think the completion and appearance of the Great Pyramid, with its white limestone casing and capstone, would have impacted the people of ancient Egypt and their perception of Pharaoh Khufu’s reign?
Using materials like sugar cubes, clay, or cardboard, create a model of the Great Pyramid. Pay attention to the structure and try to replicate the different layers, including the base and the capstone. This hands-on activity will help you understand the complexity and scale of the pyramid’s construction.
Create a timeline that outlines the key events in the construction of the Great Pyramid. Include the start date, major milestones like the completion of the canal, quarrying of stones, and the final placement of the capstone. This will help you visualize the 20-year construction period.
Research different theories about how the Egyptians might have moved the massive stones and constructed the pyramid. Form groups and hold a debate to discuss the most plausible methods. This will enhance your critical thinking and understanding of ancient engineering techniques.
Imagine you are one of the workers building the Great Pyramid. Write a diary entry describing a day in your life, including the tasks you perform, the tools you use, and your living conditions. This activity will help you empathize with the workers and understand their daily experiences.
Draw a detailed map of the pyramid’s interior, including the three burial chambers, the Grand Gallery, and the King’s Chamber. Label each part and write a brief description of its purpose. This will help you understand the internal structure and the significance of each chamber.
Pharaoh – The title given to the rulers of ancient Egypt. – The pharaoh was considered to be a divine figure and had absolute power over the kingdom.
Pyramid – A large, triangular structure built as a tomb for the pharaohs of ancient Egypt. – The Great Pyramid of Giza is one of the most famous pyramids in the world.
Construction – The process of building or assembling something. – The construction of the new bridge took several months to complete.
Limestone – A sedimentary rock composed mainly of calcium carbonate. – The ancient Egyptians used limestone to build their temples and monuments.
Granite – A hard, igneous rock composed mainly of quartz and feldspar. – The kitchen countertops were made of polished granite.
Workforce – The group of people engaged in a specific job or industry. – The construction project required a large workforce to complete on time.
Materials – The substances or components used in the construction or manufacturing of something. – The architect carefully selected the materials for the building’s facade.
Construction Process – The series of steps and activities involved in building something. – The construction process of the skyscraper involved excavation, foundation laying, and structural assembly.
Interior – The inside part or space of a building or structure. – The interior of the palace was adorned with intricate carvings and luxurious furnishings.
Granite Beams – Long, horizontal supports made of granite used in construction. – The ancient Egyptians used granite beams to support the ceilings of their temples.
