The largest of the three Old Kingdom pyramids located at Giza in Egypt, Khufu's pyramid was likely built during the reign of the Pharoah Khufu between 2589 and 2566 BC. The pyramid base covers an area of 13 square acres, and its original height was 481 feet, although it has been eroded over the millennia and is now only about 449 feet tall. Built of cut and shaped limestone blocks and weighing a total of approximately 6.5 million tons, Khufu's Pyramid is also, justifiably, known as the Great Pyramid. The Pharaoh Khufu was called Cheops in Greek, and he was a member of the 4th Dynasty, Old Kingdom.
In addition to the Great Pyramid, Khufu's complex included three smaller subsidiary pyramids and a three small groupings of mastabas (a rectangular mud-brick precursor to the pyramid). These structures were burial places for officials or relatives of the pharaohs.
For more in-depth reading:
In addition to the Great Pyramid, Khufu's complex included three smaller subsidiary pyramids and a three small groupings of mastabas (a rectangular mud-brick precursor to the pyramid). These structures were burial places for officials or relatives of the pharaohs.
For more in-depth reading:
- Ancient Egypt Timeline
- Khufu's Pyramid, from American Public Broadcasting's NOVA series
- Khufu's Pyramid, from TourEgypt.
