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| Intro:
It is the one and only wonder which does not need speculations concerning its
appearance, size, and shape. It is the oldest, yet out of the Seven |
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Wonders of the World, it is the only still exists until present
day. It is the Great Pyramid of Giza.
| Location:
It is situated in the city of Giza, a necropolis of ancient Memphis, and today it
is part of Cairo, the capital city of Egypt.
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| History:
Contrary to the common belief, only the Great Pyramid of Khufu (Cheops), not all
three Great Pyramids; is on top of the list of the World Wonders. The massive monument was
built by the Egyptian Pharaoh (King), Khufu of the Fourth Dynasty around the year 2560 BC
to serve as a tomb when he dies.
The great pyramid is believed to have been built over a period of 20 years. Throughout
their history, the pyramids of Giza have stimulated human imagination. Today, the Great
Pyramid is enclosed, together with the other pyramids and the Sphinx, in the touristic
region of the Giza Plateau.
New theories concerning the origin and purpose of the Pyramids of Giza have been
proposed... astronomic observatories... places of cult worship... geometric structures
constructed by a long-gone civilization... even extraterrestrial-related theories have
been proposed with little evidence in support. The overwhelming scientific and historic
evidence still supports the conclusion that, like many smaller pyramids in the region, the
Great Pyramids were built by the great Ancient Egyptian civilization off the West bank of
the Nile as tombs for their magnificent Kings... Tombs where Khufu, Khefre, and Menkaure
could start their mystic journey to the afterlife.
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| Architecture:
When it was built, the Great pyramid was 145.75 m (481 ft) high. Over the years,
it has lost 10 m (30 ft) off its top. It was ranked as the tallest structure on Earth for
more than 43 centuries, only to be surpassed in height in the nineteenth century AD.The
structure consists of approximately 2 million blocks of stone, each weighing more than two
tons. It has been suggested that there are enough blocks in the three pyramids to build a
3 m (10 ft) high, 0.3 m (1 ft) thick wall around France. The area covered by the Great
pyramid can accommodate St Peter's in Rome, the cathedrals of Florence and Milan, and
Westminster and St Paul's in London combined. |
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