the great pyramid of giza

The Great Pyramid of Giza is the largest pyramid in Egypt and the tomb of the 4th dynasty pharaoh Khufu.

Built in the 26th century BC over a period of about 27 years, it is the oldest of the Seven Wonders of

the Ancient World, and the only one that remains largely intact. As part of the Giza pyramids complex,

it borders present-day Giza in Greater Cairo, Egypt.Initially standing at 146.6 meters (481 ft), the Great Pyramid was

the tallest man-made structure in the world for more than 3,800 years. Over time, most of the smooth white

limestone cover was removed, which reduced the pyramid's height to its current 138.5 meters (454.4 ft).

What is being seen today is the underlying basic structure. The base was measured to be about 230.3 meters (755.6 ft) square,

which gives a volume of about 2.6 million cubic meters (92 million cubic feet), including an inner hill.

The Great Pyramid was built by quarrying an estimated 2.3 million large blocks weighing 6 million tonnes in total. The majority of

stones are not uniform in size or shape and are only roughly dressed.The outside layers were bound together by mortar.

Primarily local limestone from the Giza Plateau was used. Other blocks were imported by boat down the Nile White

limestone from Tura for the casing, and granite blocks from Aswan, weighing up to 80 tonnes, for the King's Chamber structure.