The Great Pyramid of Giza is the largest of the Egyptian pyramids and the most famous monument of the Giza pyramid complex in Giza, Egypt. It is the oldest of the traditional Seven Wonders of the Ancient World and the only one to have survived largely intact. It was built around 2600 BC over a period of about twenty six years as the tomb of the pharaoh Khufu, who ruled during the Fourth Dynasty of Egypt's Old Kingdom.
Facts
Building Type Completed Year Height (m)Original height at completion; erosion and the loss of its capstone have reduced its present height to roughly 138.8 meters. Classification
Standing Status Building Type
Building Type (category) FAQs
Why is the Great Pyramid shorter today than when it was built?
Most of its smooth limestone casing was removed over time. That cut the height from about 146.6 metres to 138.5 metres.
The Great Pyramid first stood about 146.6 metres (481 feet) high and was the world's tallest human-made structure for more than 3,700 years. Over time most of its smooth white limestone casing was removed, which lowered it to the current 138.5 metres (454.4 feet). What visitors see today is the underlying core structure. One account says the Bahri Sultan An-Nasir Nasir-ad-Din al-Hasan had casing stones carted away in 1356 for use in nearby Cairo.
Connections
Associated With
Has Building Type
In Style
Source Great Pyramid of Giza (Wikidata)
Uses Element
Built from local limestone blocks, originally cased in fine white Tura limestone.
In the Other Atlases
Located In
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is located.
Sources
1. Wikipedia: Great Pyramid of Giza
WikipediaLead paragraph, opening sentence identifying it as the largest Egyptian pyramid
The Great Pyramid of Giza is the largest of the Egyptian pyramids
Lead paragraph, sentence naming its location in Giza, Egypt
the most famous landmark of the Giza pyramid complex in Giza, Egypt.
Lead paragraph, sentence giving its original height of 146.6 metres
Initially standing at 146.6 metres (481 feet)
Lead section
The Great Pyramid of Giza is the largest of the Egyptian pyramids and the most famous landmark of the Giza pyramid complex in Giza, Egypt.
View the Source 2. Wikidata: Great Pyramid of Giza
- Wikidata Q37200, class allow-list match (w-wdresolver-0926)
- Wikidata Q37200, P571 claim (w-bbfill-artsarchag-0926)
View the SourceGreat Pyramid of Giza (Wikidata)
Wikimedia FoundationWikidata date-of-opening/inception statement (-2560)
Wikidata item Q37200, property P571: -2560
In Style: Ancient Egyptian Architecture, Wikidata P149
architectural style: ancient Egyptian architecture
View the Source Reader Challenges (0)
No disputes yet. Spotted an error or a better source? Open the first one.
Sign in to dispute this or suggest a correction.