The Pyramids of Giza and Sakkara

In late August AUC took 300(!) or so of us on a tour of the Pyramids. Because of the size of the group we weren't able to stay at any of the sites for too long but it was still great to finally see the Pyramids up close. They are enormous and really jaw dropping. I'll hopefully be seeing them in a little more detail later this year to give you a better idea and provide some better pictures (they are hard to take from a moving bus).

We left school at seven in the morning, a good and way-too-early start on the day. Our first stop, literally just outside the city, were the Pyramids of Giza. The three main pyramids were all built during the 4th Dynasty by various rulers. The first was built by the Pharaoh Khufu and is the oldest -finished in 2560 B.C., and the largest at 146 meters. The second was built by his brother Khephren, stands at a height of 143 meters and is the only pyramid with some of the limestone shell still intact near the top. The smallest of the three was built by Menkaure, the son of Khufu, sometime in the 26th century B.C., and is significantly smaller at 62 meters. All of these acted as tombs, making the entire complex a necropolis.

From left to right: Pyramid of Khufu, Khephren, Menkaure...


From up close...

There are also 6 smaller pyramids in the complex- designated for the queens of each Pharaoh.

We then went to valley on the other side of the Pyramids (which are on a plateau) to see the Sphinx. The Great Sphinx most likely represents a guardian deity with the facial features of Khephren and a lion's body- made to protect his tomb. The sand originally encasing the Sphinx has been cleared several times since 1875 and much of the huge stature has been restored.

Before being restored (obviously not taken by me- let's hope I don't get sued for using this. To be safe :: Credit :: )...


From the front...


The side...


Next up we went to Saqqara, another cemetery complex that belongs to the ancient Pharaonic capital city of Memphis. The chain of tombs stretches 6 kilometers. The area is dotted with smaller pyramids as well as the famous Step Pyramid of Saqqara which is the first pyramid built in Egypt- around 2650 B.C. It acts as the tomb of Djoser who was a Pharaoh of the 3rd Dynasty. It is the oldest stone structure of it's size in the world. It's design is attributed to Imhotep. Next to the Pyramid is a complex of buildings meant for the celebration of festivals commemorating a Pharaoh's reign.

Inside the complex...


The Step Pyramid (60 meters tall)...


Afterwards we were allowed to visit some other tombs in the area with unbelievable carvings, reliefs and hieroglyphics covering the walls. It was like in the movies. Unfortunately, no pictures were allowed.