Pyramids of Giza

Status: draft · Confidence: low (0.55) · Basis: verified_sources

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## TL;DR

The Pyramids of Giza (Egypt, ~2560 BCE) are the only surviving Wonder of the Ancient World. Great Pyramid of Khufu: 146m originally (now 138m, erosion), 2.3 million stone blocks averaging 2.5 tons each, aligned to true north within 0.05 degrees — a precision modern engineers admire. Built by paid laborers, not slaves (archaeological evidence).

## Core Explanation

Construction methods debated: ramps (straight, zigzag, spiral), levers, possibly internal ramp. Workforce: ~20,000-30,000 skilled workers (not slaves) in rotating labor tax system, with supporting city. Khafre pyramid: slightly smaller, retains some casing stones at top. Menkaure: smallest. Sphinx: guardian statue, carved from single limestone outcrop. Purpose: tombs + resurrection machines (afterlife belief).

## Further Reading

- [The Complete Pyramids (Mark Lehner)](https://thamesandhudson.com/the-complete-pyramids-9780500285473)

## Related Articles

- [Ancient Egyptian Civilization: Pharaohs, Pyramids, and Afterlife](../ancient-egyptian-civilization.md)