The Great Pyramid: Clues to Its Builders
1About 4,500 years ago, the people of ancient Egypt built the Great Pyramid at Giza as a tomb for their king, Khufu. It still stands today. Some people have wondered how anyone could build something so huge so long ago. The evidence shows that the ancient Egyptians were skilled builders and careful planners.
2First, the builders measured with great care. The pyramid's base is almost a perfect square. Each of its four sides faces almost exactly north, south, east or west. The builders had no modern tools, so experts think they used the sun and stars to find these directions.
3Second, the work was well organized. The pyramid is made of more than two million stone blocks, and many of them weigh more than a car. Moving all that stone took thousands of workers. Archaeologists have found team names painted on some of the stones inside the pyramid, which shows that the workers were split into groups. Near the pyramids, archaeologists also found the remains of a town where workers lived, with bakeries that made bread for them.
4Third, the builders made the pyramid strong enough to last. For thousands of years, it was the tallest structure people had built anywhere in the world. Long ago, people took away most of its smooth outer layer of white stone to use in other buildings. Even so, the giant shape is still standing after about 4,500 years.
5Experts still do not agree on exactly how the heavy blocks were moved up so high. Many think the workers dragged the blocks on wooden sleds and pulled them up long ramps. Even without all the answers, the evidence is clear. The Great Pyramid shows that the ancient Egyptians were skilled builders who planned their work with great care.