The Pyramids of Egypt

Pyramids of Egypt

Pyramid and Sphinx There are pyramids all over the world, but the three large pyramids on the Giza plateau near Cairo in Egypt are the most famous. They have also been the subject of many elaborate theories as to their true purpose.

Official Line

Officially, the pyramids were the burial chambers for Pharoah Khufu (Cheops) and his two wives. The great pyramid was supposed to have been constructed over a period of 20 years and completed in around 2,560 BC.

At one time the entire pyramid was encased in polished white limestone, but an earthquake in the middle ages seems to be responsible for much of the stone falling off (which was subsequently used for building material elsewhere).

Difficulties with the official theory

There are a number of problems with the official theory. Firstly, no bodies were ever found in the burial chambers or sarcophegus. Nor were the walls decorated. All the other kings and queens were buried in ornate burial chambers in the Valley of the Kings/Queens near Luxor. All that was ever found to identify Khufu was a small cartouche inscribed somewhere in the great pyramid. Otherwise the walls inside all the pyramids are completely bare.

The second issue is regarding the construction - there are 2.3 million stones weighing from 2 to 15 tonnes (5.9 million tonnes total weight). If the pyramid was built over a period of 20 years, this means that 800 tonnes or 315 stones must be put into place each day. That is 13 stones per hour, being lifted ultimately to a height of 485 feet (about 149 metres). That means 13 stones quarried, cut and polished and transported to site and put into place accurately. Plus the construction of a ramp as the pyramid grew. And do not forget that the workers need to eat and be paid. Estimates of the workforce are usually in the tens of thousands, and to this day there are theories but nobody knows for sure how the stones were moved.

It has been impossible to accurately date the building of the pyramids. Additionally, doubt has been cast on the age of the Sphinx - water erosion on the sides of the sphinx suggest it could be a lot older than originally thought, and may predate the building of the pyramids.

Other theories as to purpose of the Pyramids

Astronomical device (star lights shines down a shaft at a certain time of the year)
Religious symbol or temple for worship
Landing or navigation site for Aliens (Eric Van Danikien, Chariots of the Gods)
Time capsule to mark the end of a great civilisation
A giant water pump
A power generator

The Truth

The fact is, nobody really knows and I don't claim to have the answers. But I do know when I'm reading codswhallop. A few points:

It is quite plausible that the Sphinx and Pyramids were built by a civilisation preceding the current Egyptians. The Egyptians being the conquoring race simply claimed these monuments for themselves. The Egyptian claim ownership of the pyramids with great pride, so it would be a great blow to the nation if it was revealed that the stone monuments were not achievements of their ancestors.
If indeed the pyramids were constructed by an army of men using sleds or wooden rollers or some other manual method that has yet to be explained, I do not consider it possible that they were build in 20 years. One stone in place every 5 minutes ever hour of every day (and night) for 365 days of every year for 20 years. No way. Perhaps 200 years - that is a more plausible 3 stones per hour (for 10 hours a day, each day of the year for 200 years). Even that is quite an achievement, but it means that Khufu didn't order the pyramid and get it delivered in his lifetime).
Even with todays mechanical tools, completing the pyramid in 20 years would be an achievement. Engineers have been consulted about the logistics of doing it in the timeframe as a modern day project, and are still stumped. And it would cost a collasal sum of money. If they Egyptians had some anti-gravity device, or ultrasonic technology that is sometimes claimed then perhaps it would be possible - but that is introducing even more amazing and incredible claims.
Pyramids were built in many other countries, including South and Central America. In these other countries they seem to be temples for worship, not burial tombs. I believe the Egyptologists have got the tomb theory wrong.

The truth is that the current theories from the Egyptologists are wrong. Some of the New Age theories are pretty whacky too. Much about the pyramids still remains a mystery and they well deserve their title as one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.