The Pyramid of Cheops was erected around 2550 BC and is the largest pyramid in Egypt. This pyramid was the tallest man-made structure for 3,800 years, until the opening of the Lincoln Cathedral of the Virgin Mary in 1300.
It has been estimated that the Cheops pyramid consists of more than 2 million stone blocks, each weighing about 2.5 tons, and some reaching 15 tons. The length of the base is about 230 meters, and the height is 146.6 meters, but now the pyramid is lower, since during the Middle Ages part of it was dismantled. The faces of the Cheops primamid are inclined at an angle of 51 or 52 degrees. According to scientists, the total weight of the pyramid is 5.9 million tons. It is believed that the construction of the pyramid lasted from 14 to 20 years, and its architect was the vizier of Cheops - Khemiun. Initially, the Cheops pyramid was covered with a special material on the outside, which made the surface smooth. However, over time, this coating collapsed, and now you can see the material that underlies the construction. Inside the pyramid of Cheops is decorated with decorative stones. The walls were covered with bright paint, from which there were practically no traces.
The only entrance to the Cheops pyramid is located on the north side and is 16 meters high. The burial chamber, in which the sarcophagi of the pharaohs are located, is located at a depth of 28 meters and is made of granite. The ceiling of the chamber is composed of nine granite blocks that weigh about 400 tons. At the top there are 5 separate niches, in four of which the ceiling is straight, and in one with a slope, which is done in order to avoid collapse under the weight of the structure.
The Pyramid of Cheops is the only pyramid that uses ascending and descending passages. One of its features is a huge slope called the "grand gallery". At the end of the gallery, there is a narrow passage leading to the "king's room", the walls of which are decorated with polished granite. Scientists believe that the "king's room" was a triumph of Egyptian geometry, since according to their calculations it was built according to the golden ratio. The sarcophagus is made of a red granite monolith, and its dimensions are larger than the entrance to the room. The sarcophagus was discovered open and no valuables were found in it. It is still unknown if it was intended for the body of the pharaoh. The Queen's Room is the smallest and is located in the center. On the eastern wall of the Cheops pyramid there is a niche in which, according to the Egyptologists, the statue of the Pharaoh's wife was located. The third, unfinished room, is located at a depth of 27.5 meters underground and is decorated very roughly, it does not have the luxury that is present in the other two rooms. Egyptologists believe that this room was supposed to become a burial chamber for the pharaoh, but Cheops changed his mind and ordered to place it higher.
The pyramid of Cheops is the main structure of the complex, which includes two burial temples built in honor of Cheops, three pyramids for his wives and several more pyramids that unite all the buildings into the complex. Queen Hetepheres, sister and wife of Sneferu and mother of Cheops were buried in one of the small pyramids.
The Pyramid of Cheops is one of the most famous mysteries of mankind, and the interest in its study on the part of historians, archaeologists, mathematicians and scientists from many other areas has not subsided for many millennia.