The Great Pyramid: Largest Pyramid in the World :: Expository Essays

The Great Pyramid Largest Pyramid in the World The great pyramid was built during the reign of Khufu, 2nd fairy of thefourth dynasty (2,720-2,560 BC). It stands on the Giza plateau nearcapital of Egypt and is the biggest pyramid in the world. It measures 230 m (756 ft)on each side of its base and originally deliberate 147 m (482 ft) high. Beginning in the 10th century AD the entire Giza complex served as asource of building materials for the construction of Cairo as a result,all three pyramids were stripped of their original unstable outer facing oflimestone. The core masonry consists of large blocks of local limestone taken fromthe nearby quarries and built around and over a rocky sack. The size ofthe knoll cannot be determined, since it is completely covered by thepyramid. The see to the pyramid is in the center of the northern face.It is located in the thirteenth course of masonry from the base. Thisentrance has a pointed roof formed of massive slabs of local limestone and opens into a longsighted steeply descending passage. From there a 36 meters long ascending passage hands to a 35 meters long horizontal passage that leadsto the so called Queens chamber. This chamber measures 5.2 by 5.7meters and the maximum height of its pointed roof is about 15 meters. Thenorth and south walls each have a small wad a few centimeters squareabout 1 meter from the floor. These lead into narrow channels thatoriginally opened on the exterior of the pyramid. At the juncture of theascending and horizontal passage is an opening of a bonk which descendsto a depth of 60 meters. It opens into the lower part of the descendingpassage, make full to the unfinished, underground chamber, and is believed tohave been an escape shaft for the workmen who filed the ascending passagewith gigantic stones after the kings funeral. From the horizontal passage the Grand Gallery, which leads to the kingschamber, starts. It is 47 meters long and 8.5 meters high, and has acorbelled roo f. In the center of the floor is a sunken do about 60centimeters deep. The Grand Gallery ends in a horizontal granite passagewhich serves as an antechamber. It measures 8.4 meters long and 3.1 metershigh, and has slots for three portcullises. Beyond the antechamber is the supposed Kings Chamber which is lined, roofed and paved with redgranite. It measures 5.2 by 10.8 meters and is 5.8 meters high.