Giza

Giza is a city in Giza Governorate that extends along the western bank of the Nile directly opposite Cairo. Its residential neighborhoods blend seamlessly into palm groves and open sandy stretches before reaching the archaeological zone with monuments from the fourth dynasty.

The necropolis arose during the fourth dynasty as a burial ground for rulers and their courtiers, with craftsmen summoned from across the realm. Later periods saw the repurposing of some structures and the gradual burial by sand of lesser tombs in the dry climate.

The Sphinx takes its name from the Greek word for strangler, though the oldest Egyptian designations point instead to its role as guardian. Vendors in the surrounding quarters sell spices following traditional recipes, while camel handlers prepare their animals for visitors.

Arriving early in the morning brings cooler temperatures and fewer crowds on the pathways between structures. Sturdy footwear helps when walking on uneven terrain, and head covering provides protection from direct sun exposure.

Stonemasons used copper tools and dolerite hammers to shape blocks from nearby quarries, leaving some visible traces of their working technique. A network of mud-brick ramps enabled the transport of heavy loads to height, remnants of which archaeologists later discovered in the surrounding area.