Great Pyramid of Giza, Ancient Egyptian pyramid in Giza, Egypt
The Great Pyramid of Giza is a massive structure from the age of the pharaohs that rises on the western edge of Cairo and belongs to a royal necropolis. The structure consists of roughly two million stone blocks stacked into a smooth, tapering form, with interior chambers connected by ascending and descending passages.
It was erected around 2560 BCE as a burial place for Pharaoh Khufu and marked the peak of ancient Egyptian pyramid construction. The work required the effort of tens of thousands of laborers over a period that probably spanned two decades.
Today people from around the world come here to stand before one of humanity's most recognized monuments and connect with ancient Egyptian civilization. The area remains a place where modern travelers and local Egyptians meet, while camels and vendors shape the scene.
A visit in the early morning helps avoid the strongest heat and the largest crowds, and you should be ready for uneven surfaces and steep paths. Those wishing to enter the interior must manage narrow, low passages that require physical fitness and patience.
It remains the only surviving structure of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World and was the tallest human-made building on Earth for nearly four millennia. The original white limestone casing that gave it a smooth surface has mostly disappeared today, exposing the underlying steps.
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