Ancient Destinations Egypt

Photo: Nina Aldin Thune

Situated on Egypt's west bank of the Nile river about 20 km southwest of Cairo stands the Giza plateau. The Giza Necropolis as it is more commonly called has some of the world's most spectacular, awe - inspiring ancient monuments on Earth to see. Most of the monuments at Giza date back to the Old Kingdom period (2575 - 2134 BC).

The main monuments to see at Giza include the 4th Dynasty pyramids of pharaohs Khufu (Cheops), Khafre (Chepren), Menkaure (Mycerinus) and the Great Sphinx. Khufu's pyramid also known as the Great Pyramid is the only surviving Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The pyramid was built of limestone and its original height was 481 feet but it now stands at 455 feet. It has an estimated 2.3 million blocks and a total weight of 6 million tons! It is an engineering masterpiece and many mysteries surround this incredible structure's true purpose.

The Great Pyramid consists of a series of enigmatic corridors and chambers. These include the Grand Gallery, the King's Chamber, the Queen's Chamber and the Subterranean Chamber. No human body was ever found in the pyramid and some suggest that it was not built as a tomb for Khufu at all. An intriguing theory in the early 90's was proposed by the Belgian engineer Robert Bauval concerning the three pyramids location. Bauval argued that the positioning of all three Giza pyramids mirrored the stars of the constellation Orion. In other words, the Giza pyramids served as the terrestrial counterpart to the layout of all 3 stars of Orion's belt in the sky. The only time this correlation matched up was in 10,000 BC. If this theory is correct, the layout of the Giza pyramids may be much older than previously thought. (More Photos)

Photo: GNU Free Documentation License

Another incredible pyramid nearby is Khafre's Pyramid and it is the second largest pyramid at Giza. It was also built of limestone and stands just a few feet shorter than the Great Pyramid at 471 feet in height. This pyramid was built on a higher ground than the Great Pyramid so it gives people the illusion that it is of equal height. It also contains its share of passageways and mysterious empty chambers for travellers to check out. A sarcophagus was discovered in the main chamber but it was empty. Egyptologists continue to maintain on television documentaries and textbooks that the Giza pyramids were all built as tombs for their respective kings. Alternative historians disagree, and argue that no pharaoh's body has ever been found and that no legitimate inscriptions in any of the three Giza pyramids bear their names. (More Photos)

Photo: Hajor

The pyramid of Menkaure is the last and smallest of the three Giza pyramids. This structure was built from granite stone which is considered a more prestigious building material over limestone. The pyramid once stood at 215 feet but now stands at 203 feet high. Egyptologists persist that this pyramid was also built as a tomb for the pharaoh Menkaure. In 1837, British colonel Howard Vyse discovered human bones in the burial chamber of the pyramid. However, modern research has proved that these bones dated from the Christian era which was 2,500 years after the Pyramid Age. In other words, the body found in this pyramid was not Menkaure nor does it prove the pyramid was built as a tomb for him. The true purpose on why the Giza pyramids were built continues to be one of the greatest mysteries of all time. (More Photos)

Photo: Dave Cross

The pyramids of Giza do not stand in isolation. Not far from Khafre's pyramid visitors will be able to see the gigantic statue of the Great Sphinx. It measures 66 feet high and 240 feet long. This magnificent sculpture has a pharoah's head, a lion's body, paws and a tail. Originally regarded as the protector of the pyramids, it was later revered as the embodiment of the sun god.

Egyptologists strongly believe that the Sphinx is a representation of Khafre but many disagree. Other scholars believe that the Great Sphinx is much older than previously thought and stretches back thousands of years before Egyptian civilization even began. This may be the case since there are no inscriptions found on the Sphinx that attribute it to Khafre at all.

In the late 1980's, geologist Robert M. Schoch validated a very strong theory put forward by Author/Egyptologist John Anthony West about the erosion marks seen today on the Great Sphinx. According to Schoch, this type of erosion could have only been caused by thousands of years of torrential rainful. The Sahara desert was once fertile and did rain a very long time ago. If Schoch theory is correct, then the Great Sphinx could be thousands of years older than previously thought. Whatever the answer may be, one thing is for sure and that is the Great Sphinx at Giza will continue to keep its secrets and will remain one of the most unique travel destinations to visit. (More Photos)

Photo: Brian Snelson

Located in the southern part of Egypt are the majestic temples of Abu Simbel. The temples were built during Egypt's New Kingdom period (1530 - 1070 BC). Ramesses II (aka Ramesses the Great) had several temples cut and built into the mountainside at Abu Simbel. The site consists of two main temples. The large temple was built for Ramesses and was also dedicated to the Egyptian gods Ra-Harakhty, Ptah and Amun. (More Photos)

The entrance to Abu Simbel are dominated by four colossal statues of Ramesses himself. Each of these statues are 67 feet in height. The smaller temple is dedicated to the Egyptian goddess Hathor and was built for the pharaoh's wife Nefertari. Below each of the statues knees, there are smaller statues depicting children and one woman. They are said to represent Ramesses children and wife - Nefertari. Abu Simbel is considered one of the most beautiful temples ever to be built during the long reign of Ramesses the Great.

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