Giza Pyramid Complex

Egypt’s Giza pyramid complex (also called the Giza necropolis) is home to the Great Pyramid, the Pyramid of Khafre, and the Pyramid of Menkaure, their associated pyramid complexes and the Great Sphinx. The Giza Pyramid Complex is the most popular tourist attraction in Egypt. Also known as the Giza Necropolis, this Complex is an Ancient Egyptian site on the Giza Plateau. Widely known, it includes the Great Pyramid of Giza, its associated networks, and the Sphinx of Giza. The ancient Egyptians built these massive constructions during the Fourth Dynasty of the Old Kingdom of Ancient Egypt. Additionally, the Giza Complex includes several cemeteries and the remains of a workers’ settlement on its territory.

Location of Giza Pyramid Complex

The Giza Necropolis exists on the outskirts of the Egyptian Western Desert, Giza Governorate. It typically stands about 9 km west of the Nile River in Giza. Meanwhile, it is located near Downtown Cairo, about 13 km southwest.

Features of the Giza Pyramid Complex

The Giza Pyramid Complex has many features. Of course, the most notable features of this Complex are the three well-known pyramids. When we look at this vast site, we will unearth its complexity. Moreover, it has a Workers’ Village and cemeteries. To make it clear, we will list these features as follows:

1. Khufu’s Complex.
2. Khafre’s Complex.
3. Menkaure’s Complex.
4. Sphinx.
5. Tomb of Queen Khentkaus I.
6. Workers’ village.
7. Besides the Cemeteries.

Khufu’s Pyramid Complex

The Khufu Pyramid complex is the most prominent monument in the Giza Pyramid Complex. It consists of the following features:

1. The Valley Temple: This temple is now buried beneath the village of Nazlet el-Samman.
2. Causeway: The ancient builders connected the valley temple to a causeway. Unfortunately, when modern Egyptians constructed Nazlet el-Samman village, they essentially destroyed it.
3. Mortuary Temple of Khufu: The causeway led to the Mortuary Temple of Khufu. The basalt pavement is the only relic of this temple.
4. Khufu Pyramid: Pharaoh Khufu connected this Pyramid to his mortuary temple.
5. Three Queen’s Pyramids: The King’s Pyramid has three more minor queen’s pyramids.
6. Also, Three Boat Pits: The King’s Pyramid has three smaller queen pyramids. The boat pits contained three royal ships. One of these ships, the Khufu ship, has been restored and is on display at the Giza Solar Boat Museum. Meanwhile, the other two pits on the south side of the Pyramid still have intact ships.

Khafre’s Complex

Khafre’s Complex is the second significant aspect of the Giza Necropolis. It consists of the following features:

1. We also call the Valley Temple the Sphinx Temple. This temple has the great Sphinx inside it; Mariette, in 1860, found several statues of Khafre in the Valley temple. He found them in a well on the floor of the temple. However, during subsequent excavations, Wilhelm Sieglin (1909–10), Junker, Reisner, and Hassan found the other statues.
2. A causeway.
3. A mortuary temple.
4. The King’s Pyramid: The ancient Egyptians built the Khafre’s Pyramid in 2570 BCE.
5. Khafre’s Complex contains five boat pits.
6. Also, a subsidiary pyramid with a serdab.

Menkaure’s Complex

Menkaure is the third Pyramid in the Giza Pyramid complex, situated in Greater Cairo, Egypt. Smallest of the three, this beautiful structure rises to 66 metres (218 feet). Despite being short, Menkaure Pyramid houses some of the most stunning sculptures from Ancient Egyptian history. Menkaure Pyramid complex consists of the following features:

1. The Valley temple: This valley temple once contained several statues of Menkaure. During the 5th Dynasty, the Ancient Egyptians added a smaller ante temple.
2. A causeway.
3. A mortuary temple: The Mortuary temple also yielded several statues of Menkaure.
4. And Menkaure’s Pyramid: The Ancient Egyptians completed the king’s pyramid ca. 2510 B.C.E.
5. In addition, Three subsidiarys or Queen’s Pyramids.

Great Sphinx

The Great Sphinx is one of the most significant sculptures in the world. It stands nearly 66 feet and showcases a reclined lion’s body and a human head. A royal headdress adorns the Sphinx’s human head. This magnificent statue is around 240 feet long.

Moreover, the face resembles Pharaoh Khafre. Hence, historians date the Great Sphinx to the 4th Dynasty. Therefore, ownership of the Sphinx aligns with Khafre. 

However, some scholars believe Khafre’s older sibling, Redjedef, built the monument. Perhaps Redjedef built the Sphinx to honour their father, Khufu. Moreover, people debate that the Great Sphinx resembles King Khufu more than Khafre.

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