Uncommon Airborne Photos Revealing Age-old Pyramid Structures
The Great Pyramid of Giza, one of the most legendary architectural feats in human history, continues to captivate and confound those who view it. While many have visited these impressive structures, relatively few have witnessed the pyramids as they appear from above or at higher altitudes.
The Giza pyramids, particularly the Great Pyramid, are renowned not only for their historical significance but also for the numerous enigmas that surround them. Despite extensive research, essential details about the construction of the Great Pyramid remain mysteries. The absence of ancient texts from the time of its construction leaves significant gaps in our understanding of the techniques used by the ancient Egyptians to quarantine, transport, and assemble the massive stones.
Despite this lack of documentation, the Great Pyramid of Giza stands as a testament to the ingenuity and precision of ancient engineering. For over 3,800 years, it held the title of the tallest pyramid on Earth. Moreover, it is the only confirmed ancient Egyptian pyramid built with eight instead of the usual four sides. The eight sides of the Great Pyramid are most easily visible from the air at dawn or sunset during the spring and autumn equinoxes.
Archaeologist I.E.S. Edwards documented this curious feature in his 1975 book "The Pyramid of Egypt," noting that the packing-blocks in the Great Pyramid sloped inwards slightly, resulting in a noticeable depression along each face. British Air Force pilot P. Groves captured this unique aspect of the pyramid in an early photograph in 1940.
The precision exhibited in the construction of the Great Pyramid is truly astounding. Measurements and surveys of the Giza plateau have uncovered remarkable details about the pyramid's accuracy and precision. For instance, the ratio of the perimeter-to-height, at approximately 1760/280 Egyptian Royal cubits, equates to 2π with an accuracy of better than 0.05 percent. While some Egyptologists attribute this precision to sheer chance, the sheer magnitude and complexity of the project suggest a higher level of planning and calculation.
Constructing the Great Pyramid required the use of various materials. Approximately 8,000 tons of granite were imported from Aswan, while the bulk of the limestone blocks was sourced from local quarries on the Giza plateau. The largest and heaviest stones were quarried near Aswan, about 800 kilometers away from the pyramid's original construction site.
The methods used to transport such heavy stones remain a topic of fascination. The Egyptians likely employed a combination of techniques, including ramps, waterways, sledges, and manpower. Ramps may have facilitated the movement of stones from the quarries to the pyramid site, while waterways and canals played a crucial role in transporting stones, particularly those sourced from distant quarries such as Tura and Aswan.
The pyramids of Giza are nothing short of marvels, but they would not exist in their current form without the pioneering work of earlier kings. The history of pyramid building in Egypt can be traced back to the Third Dynasty reign of King Djoser, who commissioned the first pyramid complex around 4,700 years ago. Djoser's Step Pyramid is considered the earliest colossal stone building in Egypt and the earliest large-scale cut-stone construction.
King Sneferu, Egypt's greatest pyramid builder, followed Djoser and perfected the pyramid design. He is credited with constructing three massive pyramids and one smaller one and commissioning the Pyramid at Meidum, the Bent Pyramid, and the Red Pyramid at Dahshur. Sneferu's contributions laid the groundwork for the construction of the Pyramid of Khufu, a monument of unparalleled beauty and precision that stands as an enduring testament to the ingenuity and complexity of ancient Egyptian civilization.
- The Great Pyramid of Giza, an architectural marvel from ancient times, continues to amaze scientists in the field of space-and-astronomy, especially when viewed from above or at higher altitude.
- Despite the lack of ancient texts detailing its construction methods, the Great Pyramid's precision and accuracy are undeniable, with its dimensions being remarkably close to mathematical constants like 2π.
- The construction of the Great Pyramid required substantial resources, including limestone sourced from local quarries and granite imported from Aswan, a journey of about 800 kilometers.
- The techniques used to transport these heavy stones remain one of the biggest mysteries in history, with evidences suggesting the possible use of ramps, waterways, and sledges.
- The pyramids we see today would not have been possible without the pioneering efforts of earlier kings, like King Djoser and King Sneferu, who began the tradition of pyramid building thousands of years ago in the realm of home-and-garden design, leading up to the awe-inspiring Great Pyramid of Giza.
