It’s no wonder that our fascination with the pyramids of Giza has endured for millennia. The Great Pyramid of Giza—built for the Pharaoh Khufu and finished around 2560 BCE—is the only marvel of the original Seven Wonders of the Ancient World still intact. And the rest of the pyramid complex is nothing short of brilliant too. Perched on the outskirts of Cairo, the Giza site is a necropolis of royal tombs. It contains three towering pyramids (the Great Pyramid of Khufu, the Pyramid of Khafre, and the Pyramid of Menkaure); three smaller pyramids (for queens and sisters); and an enormous statue of a sphinx, for good measure.
You’d think that a few thousand years on Earth would have revealed all of the pyramids’ mysteries, but it seems that they still have plenty of secrets to share. In 2023, a hidden corridor was discovered in the Great Pyramid, and in 2024, a mysterious structure was found adjacent to it. While we’re still learning more about this ancient monument, here’s what we do know about the Great Pyramid of Giza.
When was the Great Pyramid of Giza built?
The Great Pyramid of Giza dates to Egypt’s Old Kingdom, more than 4,000 years ago. “The Great Pyramid was built by King Khufu, son of King Sneferu and Queen Hetepheres I, and the Fourth Dynasty’s second pharaoh,” says Rami Girgis, expert Egyptologist and Abercrombie & Kent’s director of private jet and special interest travel. “He ruled Egypt between 2585 BC and 2560 BC, and during that time, he led the construction of the Great Pyramid.” It’s estimated that it took around 20 years to build the Great Pyramid.
Why was the Great Pyramid of Giza built?
You’re probably well aware that Egyptian pyramids are tombs, and the Great Pyramid is no exception. Khufu—also known by his Greek name, Cheops—commissioned this funerary structure as his final resting place, but the pyramid was also a civic project that secured Khufu’s legacy. “It was intended to be a national project to display the wealth and power of the pharaohs, not as simple as a tomb, but a building that endures for ages.”
We’d have to say the pyramid accomplished that mission—perhaps too well. The pyramid itself outlasted just about every statue of King Khufu himself. “The only statue we have of King Khufu—the builder of the Great Pyramid, the tallest structure in the world for thousands of years—is a short three-inch-tall piece,” says Girgis.
Who built the Great Pyramid of Giza?
While Khufu is considered the builder of the Great Pyramid, there were thousands of others who physically built the structure. But there’s a big misconception here—the pyramids were not built by enslaved people. They were built by skilled hired workers. “Archeologists discovered a village near the Giza complex where the workers resided. Inscriptions and food remains in their homes confirmed that they were very well fed for their labor,” says Gergis. “Workers had working shifts, lunch breaks, and hierarchies. Furthermore, the pharaoh was deified, and working for him was considered a great honor in ancient Egypt.”
What did the Great Pyramid of Giza originally look like?
Today, the Giza pyramids wear the tawny tones of their surrounding Libyan Desert, but back in their heyday, they sparkled. Originally, they were encased in white limestone. “The limestone casing would have been smooth and polished, and overall, a lot more dazzling—especially in the light,” says Elissa Day, a PhD candidate in Egyptology at Harvard University. The workers would’ve essentially sanded down the surface of each stone, leaving no discernible marks. “At Giza, you can see some remains of an outer casing on top of the pyramid of Khafre and at the bottom of the Great Pyramid,” says Day.
Those dazzling façades have long been stripped—some sources report that those blocks of stone were repurposed and used to build mosques. You can see the Smithsonian’s rendering of what the pyramids looked like in their glory years.
How was the Great Pyramid of Giza built?
The construction of the pyramids is still a mystery, but archaeologists have unearthed quite a few clues. Both excavations at other archaeological sites and written records provide insight into the construction methods and tools likely used to build the Great Pyramid.
“Most of the core limestone blocks for Khufu’s pyramid came from the central field quarry at Giza, whilst the exterior casing stones were quarried at Tura, which is east of Giza,” Day adds. “We know this because of the Wadi al-Jarf papyri, which were discovered in 2013 and are probably the oldest inscribed papyri found to date. They contain records written by an inspector called Merer, and there is a portion that documents the transportation of the limestone from Tura to Giza by boat.”
They were first floated down the Nile River, then down specially built waterways to the pyramid site. Finally, they were transported down a causeway to the actual construction site. (Today, the Nile is about seven miles away from the Great Pyramid, but the river was likely closer to the site during construction.)
At the pyramid site, the blocks were likely hauled up mud-brick ramps on sledges. “We found remnants of a mud-brick ramp behind the large pylon at the entrance to the Temple Karnak in Luxor to further prove this method,” says Girgis. But as for the exacting precision of the structure, we have no idea how the builders did it without modern tools!
How big is the Great Pyramid of Giza?
“The pyramid was originally 481 feet high, but due to erosion, it lost 31 feet and today stands at 449.5 feet,” says Girgis. (To put that in context, the Statue of Liberty tops out at 305 feet.) For nearly 4,000 years, it was the tallest building in the world—and it’s hefty too. The pyramid was built with an estimated 2.3 million stone blocks, which weigh 2.5 to 15 tons each.
And here’s a bit of a fun fact for those who haven’t been to Giza: In most photos, the middle pyramid (built by Khufu’s son, Khafre) seems to be the tallest, but it’s an illusion. The Great Pyramid is the back pyramid, and it only looks shorter because it’s built on lower ground. In case you were wondering, the third pyramid of the main three was built by Khafre’s son, Menkaure, and it’s less than half the height of the Great Pyramid.
Why is the Great Pyramid of Giza important?
For starters, it’s an architectural marvel. The fact that such a massive structure could be built 4,000 years ago—and last to the present day—is extraordinary. It’s incredible to think that hundreds of generations of humans have gazed upon the Great Pyramid.
Day thinks the human element of the Great Pyramid and the Giza necropolis at large is also intriguing. “The Giza complex itself is made up of the pyramids, yes, but also temples, cemeteries, and even a settlement for the workers who built the structures,” she says. “It’s a wonderful snapshot of power and ambition, as well as daily life. It wasn’t just builders working there, but craftsmen, administrators, and even bakers. The pyramid itself is a testament to human ambition and innovation, but we often forget about the people who were fueling and facilitating the actual building process.”
How do you visit the Great Pyramid of Giza?
The Giza Plateau, where you’ll find six pyramids plus the Great Sphinx, is gated. You can buy tickets at the entrance. And while you don’t need a guide to enter the site, Girgis suggests hiring a certified Egyptologist to provide you with crucial context about the pyramids during your visit—there’s not much in the way of signage or placards.
It’s possible to enter the Great Pyramid too. You’ll need a special ticket, which you can buy at the entrance gate. “Only 300 people are allowed inside the Great Pyramid each day, so I highly recommend visiting the site in the early morning hours to maximize your chances of getting a ticket. This will also help in beating the midday heat,” says Girgis. He also advises that anyone who is claustrophobic should not enter, as the passageway leading to the king’s chamber is very cramped.
What is inside the Great Pyramid of Giza?
Truthfully, not much. “Unfortunately, the pyramid was plundered, and therefore no objects were discovered inside,” says Girgis. “Only a series of corridors and an empty chamber can be seen today. Inside the king’s burial chamber, there is an empty sarcophagus made from granite that presumably housed the body of King Khufu.”
Day points out that the interior is not as highly decorated as you might expect. “Contrary to many later pyramids, there are no hieroglyphs inside the burial chamber—or anywhere else,” she says. “Another interesting fact is that there’s no mummy inside the Great Pyramid either. Perhaps there was in antiquity, but Khufu’s mummy is yet to be found.”