The two largest pyramids in Giza

Comet Hunter

Comet Hunter

Supporting Member
Oops, I over looked this video which is kinda cool so I thought I would post it here.

The two largest pyramids in Giza are the Great Pyramid of Khufu (Cheops) and the Pyramid of Khafre (Chephren), built around 2580–2532 BC by 4th Dynasty pharaohs. The Great Pyramid is the largest at 481 ft (original height), while Khafre’s is only slightly smaller but appears taller because it is built on higher ground and retains its top casing stones.

1. Great Pyramid of Khufu (Largest)
  • Dimensions: Originally ~146.6m (481 ft) tall, currently ~138.5m (454.4 ft).
  • Construction: Composed of approximately 2.3 million stone blocks, averaging over 2 tons each.
  • Significance: It is the oldest of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, and the only one still largely intact.
  • Interior: Features three known chambers, including the King’s Chamber and the Grand Gallery.
  • Original Appearance: Originally covered in smooth white limestone casing stones.

2. Pyramid of Khafre (Second Largest)
  • Dimensions: Originally 143.5m (471 ft) tall, slightly shorter than Khufu's.
  • Location: Situated on higher bedrock (10m/33ft higher) than Khufu's, making it look taller.
  • Distinctive Feature: Retains its original polished limestone casing on the apex.
  • Sphinx Association: The Pyramid of Khafre is part of a larger complex that includes the Great Sphinx, which is believed to bear the face of Pharaoh Khafre himself.
  • Structural Detail: Has two entrances leading to a single burial chamber, unlike the multi-chambered Great Pyramid.
Both pyramids are part of the Giza Necropolis and were built during a "golden age" of the Old Kingdom, relying on advanced surveying for alignment with the cardinal directions


Pyramid Khafre shown 1st


 
AlanLichty

AlanLichty

Moderator
I am amazed at the level of tourist traffic as shown in your video. I can hardly blame folks wanting to see these structures themselves as one who visited them as well but this video shows some relatively crowded conditions with the tour busses dropping off even more.

Back in the 1970's there was still a threat of hijackings and airlines made a point of flying older planes into Middle Eastern cities from European airports so you always had to wonder what shape the planes were in. When we left Cairo the plane took off normally and when we were up to about 1000' the engines suddenly throttled back and the plane leveled off instead of continuing to climb. I was left wondering if we were going to continue to remain airborne and in a state of high anxiety to say the least. Then the pilot came on the intercom and announced that were going to go down towards the Pyramid area slowly making a sweeping turn over the Giza area before continuing our flight to Rome. I didn't have film in my camera as was my habit before sending my camera through the Xray machines back then but my hands were shaking so badly I couldn't load a new roll in time to grab shots out the window as we passed over Giza :rolleyes: Since I had the window seat someone else in our group handed me their camera and I grabbed some shots but I never did get copies of those slides.
 
Comet Hunter

Comet Hunter

Supporting Member
AlanLichty said:
I am amazed at the level of tourist traffic as shown in your video. I can hardly blame folks wanting to see these structures themselves as one who visited them as well but this video shows some relatively crowded conditions with the tour busses dropping off even more.

Back in the 1970's there was still a threat of hijackings and airlines made a point of flying older planes into Middle Eastern cities from European airports so you always had to wonder what shape the planes were in. When we left Cairo the plane took off normally and when we were up to about 1000' the engines suddenly throttled back and the plane leveled off instead of continuing to climb. I was left wondering if we were going to continue to remain airborne and in a state of high anxiety to say the least. Then the pilot came on the intercom and announced that were going to go down towards the Pyramid area slowly making a sweeping turn over the Giza area before continuing our flight to Rome. I didn't have film in my camera as was my habit before sending my camera through the Xray machines back then but my hands were shaking so badly I couldn't load a new roll in time to grab shots out the window as we passed over Giza :rolleyes: Since I had the window seat someone else in our group handed me their camera and I grabbed some shots but I never did get copies of those slides.
Click to expand...
They said they now get 15000 visitors a day. Quite the income nowadays
 
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