Egyptian Attractions

We have learned a lot about some Egyptian Attractions, as we went through a google expedition just today. We found lots of information and this is what we found.

Pyramids At Giza: The great time of pyramid building in Egypt occurred during the Old Kingdom, which was more than 400,000 years ago. During the 4th Dynasty of pharaohs (which was about 2575-2465 B.C.E.), the ancient Egyptians constructed pyramids at Giza, on the west bank of the Nile, as part of a large funerary district. The 3 huge pyramids were built as tombs for the pharaohs Khufu (or Cheops), Khafre (or Khufu) and Menkaure. The Great Pyramid is also the largest pyramid ever built on earth.


The Great Sphinx: The Great Sphinx symbolize the divinity of the Egyptian king. The head of the sphinx is at a height of 65 feet, from the body of a lion with outstretched front limbs. It is likely that the face was carved out to resemble the king Khafre. Though it has eroded naturally some say that it was mutilated intentionally by either a Muslim sultan or by Napoleon's soldiers shooting at it for target practice.


Building The Pyramids: It is not entirely known how the ancient Egyptians cut and moved the giant blocks of rock weighing tons to build the pyramids at Giza. Archaeologists believe that limestone from local quarries was cut with copper chisels and then moved by ropes. The pyramid builders used ramps to drag the blocks into position and levers to lift and place them. Until recently, historians believed that slaves were forced to build the pyramids at Giza. While modern thinking is different.


Tourist Information: There are many pyramids in Egypt, many people visit them and other attractions. Last year there were 14.7 million tourists who visited the area. There are about eighty pyramids in Egypt today and the Great Sphinx are 73 meters long and 20 meters high and there is only one of them in Egypt.