Who is Entombed in the Pyramid?
The Great Pyramid of Giza, one of the most fascinating and mysterious ancient structures, is the final resting place of the pharaoh Khufu, who ruled in the 25th century BCE. The pyramids of Giza were built as royal tombs for three generations of Egyptian kings: Khufu, his son Khafre, and his grandson Menkaure, with the Great Pyramid, or Pyramid of Khufu, being the largest of the three.
Frequently Asked Questions
General Information
- Who was entombed in the Great Pyramid of Giza? The Great Pyramid, or Pyramid of Khufu, is the final resting place of the pharaoh Khufu, who ruled in the 25th century BCE.
- Is there anyone buried in the pyramids? The mummies of such pharaohs as Djoser, Khafre, and Menkaure were placed in a subterranean burial chamber underneath a pyramid.
- Who is buried in the middle pyramid at Giza? The pyramid of Khafre or of Chephren is the tomb of the Fourth-Dynasty pharaoh Khafre, who ruled c. 2520-2494 BCE.
Pyramids and Their Construction
- How many bodies have been found in the pyramids? No contemporaneous bodies, mummies, or human remains have ever been found in any of the Old Kingdom pyramids.
- Why don’t we know how the pyramids were built? Considering the pyramids were built more than four thousand years ago, the exact technique of construction remains a mystery, and modern-day equipment was not available at the time.
- How were the pyramids built so accurately? The Egyptians developed and used the cubit rod to measure and lay out the dimensions of the pyramid; a square level to level horizontal surfaces, and a 3:4:5 framing square to create precision 90-degree angles.
Exploring the Pyramids
- Can you go inside the pyramids? The interiors of all three pyramids of Giza are open to visitors, but each requires the purchase of a separate ticket.
- How much does it cost to go inside the pyramids? A ticket for entry inside the Great Pyramid is 400 EGP (22 USD).
- Are pyramids still unexplored? The Ancient Egyptians sealed the pyramid on their way out, so the only way through really is drilling, which the Egyptian Government does not allow to avoid harming the pyramids.
The Sphinx and Other Discoveries
- Who built the Sphinx? Most scholars date the Great Sphinx to the 4th dynasty and affix ownership to Khafre.
- What is hidden inside the Sphinx? Legend has it that there is a maze below the paws of the Sphinx that leads to the mystery-shrouded Hall of Records, where all essential knowledge of alchemy, astronomy, mathematics, magic, and medicine is stored.
- Was Khufu’s body ever found? Unfortunately, all that remains in the King’s Chamber is the king’s sarcophagus made of large blocks of red granite, as Khufu’s body was looted before archaeologists arrived.
Recent Discoveries and Theories
- What was discovered in Egypt 2023? Archaeologists have discovered a mummy wrapped in gold, which provides insights into ancient Egyptian beliefs.
- Are the pyramids mapped? A previously hidden corridor buried deep in the 4500-year-old Great Pyramid of Giza has been mapped in detail for the first time, and researchers have also taken a glimpse inside using an endoscopic camera.
- What’s inside the pyramids? The newly-discovered chamber is in the Pyramid of Khufu, and archaeologists are yet to determine what the chamber was used for, sparking further mystery and intrigue surrounding these ancient structures.