The Pyramids of Giza

Figure 1: Aerial view of the Giza Necropolis showing the relative size of pyramids

Located near the Nile river on the outskirts of Cairo lies the Giza Necropolis (Ancient Greek: city of the dead), one of the most famous archaeological sites. This was the royal burial ground of the capital of the Old Kingdom of Egypt, Memphis. The site is home to the pyramids of Giza which stand tall since about 4500 years. In about 2,550 B.C. Pharaoh Khufu ordered the building of his tomb on the plateau of Giza. The tomb was designed to protect the Pharaoh’s body as well as his possessions ensuring a safe trip into the afterlife. The three smaller pyramids next to the Great Pyramid are believed to hold the Pharaoh’s queens. The second largest pyramid as well as the sphinx was commissioned by Pharaoh Khufu’s son, Pharaoh Khafre, in 2520 B.C. The last and smallest pyramid was built by Pharaoh Menkaure around 2490 B.C. 

The Great Pyramid of Giza was the tallest man made structure in the world for 3800 years which is not only a testament to its durability but to its mark as one of the most remarkable structures built. The engineering skills at ancient Giza were so impressive that even today scientists hold different views about how the pyramids were constructed. It is likely that communities across the Old Kingdom of Egypt joined hands and contributed workers, as well as food and other essentials, for what became in some ways a national project to display the wealth and control of the ancient pharaohs. But it is not only the bodies of pharaohs which got preserved, the decorated tombs preserved every aspect of life in ancient Egypt in the form of wonderful art. Most of the historians and archaeologists are attracted to the Giza Necropolis because it is a gateway to experience the flamboyant culture and civilization, the ingenious art and architecture, the mightiness of the Pharaohs and the beauty of the queens of the ancient Egypt. Being an astrophysicist, what draws me to this place is the astronomical significance of the location of these pyramids.

The corners of the base of the three main pyramids coincide almost exactly with the four cardinal points, and the base is level to within in an inch. For such huge monuments, this could only have been achieved by astronomical observation. The design of the pyramid of Khufu also includes a series of symbolic alignments in the ventilation channels emanating from two chambers in the interior of the pyramid. As a consequence of the general cardinal grid of the necropolis, the Sphinx, a personification of the god Horus at the horizon, faces the equinoctial (see figure 2) rising sun. The general pattern of the necropolis also encapsulates a series of additional topographic and astronomical alignments that create a cosmic landscape, reflecting ancient Egyptian world-view.

Figure 2: Astronomical significance of the Giza Necropolis

For many years classical Egyptologists maintained that the Pyramids were merely grandiose tombs to commemorate dead Pharaohs, built by slave labor and laid out in a relatively unstructured manner. However, Robert Bauval with decades of work claims that the three pyramids of Giza are a perfect reproduction of the three stars of Orion’s belt (see figure 3). Although, Derek Hitchins discards Robert's view and claims that the pyramids are strategically placed so that they appear to be equally-spaced and right on the visible horizon as seen from the banks of Nile river (see figure 4). He says that sunset on the western horizon between the pyramids marked the onset of the resurrection of the Pharaohs! (Both contradictory views can be found in the links on their names).

   

Figure 3: Relation of the pyramids of Giza to the Orion constellation

Figure 4: Pyramids of Giza as seen from the bank of Nile river

This is truly amazing and mysterious, isn't it? Someday, we will know for sure what was the real reason behind the location of these gigantic structures. And someday, hopefully, I will visit the ancient city of Memphis and its necropolis myself ! 

If you are interested in reading more on this topic, check out the following links.
1. http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/86 (Standardized information)
2. http://science.nationalgeographic.com/science/archaeology/giza-pyramids/ (Good info!)
3. http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/pyramid/explore/gizahistory.html
4. http://www2.astronomicalheritage.net/index.php/show-entity?identity=24&idsubentity=1
5. http://www.discoveringegypt.com/pyramid3.htm (Coolest site!)
6. http://www.personal.psu.edu/mkw5102/giza.html
7. http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/pyramid/explore/gizahistory.html
8. http://www.worldheritagesite.org/sites/memphispyramidfields.html