The Haunting Mysteries of Egypt's Ancient Pyramids
The Pyramids of Giza: A Lasting MysteryBuilt to honor Egypt’s Pharaohs of ancient times, the pyramids of Giza have long since been a staple of wonder and mystery. Standing tall and resolute for many centuries, these majestic structures contain a story that is still largely untold.Most notably, the construction of the pyramids poses an ongoing mystery. With the precision and craftsmanship evidenced by their grandeur, it has been a continued point of interest among engineers and scientists alike. It’s estimated that over two million stone blocks of limestone, each weighing between two and 15 tons, were used in the construction of the Pyramids of Giza. First crafted together in approximately 2570 BC, it’s hard to imagine how an ancient civilization could have possibly erected such massive structures.The various theories among experts range from alien intervention, to the massive movement of stones that were pre-cut and brought to the site by boat, to the use of enormous, ramp-like structures built around the temples. Some say that it took upwards of ten years to build each pyramid, while others argue that the process may have taken as few as 20 years. The Burial Chambers of the Great PyramidIn addition to the pyramids, the inside of the Great Pyramid of Giza held many secrets, yet to be deciphered and understood. The tomb, and its secrets, held the remains of Pharaoh Khufu, the ruler of the fourth dynasty. Of the three pyramids located on the Giza plateau, the Great Pyramid is the largest and most ornate.Featuring an inner chamber that holds a large granite sarcophagus, various chambers full of hieroglyphs, and an intricate ventilation system to aid in the burial and preservation of the Pharaoh, the Great Pyramid contains many mysteries. Mysterious HieroglyphsThe hieroglyphs found in many of the chambers inside the Great Pyramid present another aspect of the mystery. Hieroglyphics, the traditional written language of Ancient Egyptians, have been very difficult to decode and have only recently begun to be understood. Inside the Great Pyramid, hieroglyphs adorned every wall, containing written accounts of everyday life as well as religious beliefs and spiritual philosophies.With the recent advances in modern science and technology, more of these inscrutable messages have begun to be translated, teasing the secrets of their era.The Grandeur of the PyramidsTo this day, the Pyramids of Giza remain some of the most wonders of the ancient world. They hold within them, a myriad of mysteries and stories, forever entwined, in time and in legend. Scientists and engineers continue to be dazzled all the more, as our understanding of these awe-inspiring monuments grows each and every day.