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Location: Cairo, Egypt.  Grid Reference: 29° 58' 42" N. 31° 8' 10" E
 

  • The Giza plateau. ('Ghiza', 'Geeza').

(Home to the last surviving wonder of the ancient world)

    Individual Constructions - (Quick links).
   

 

    The Giza Plateau - 'Ghiza', 'Geeza'. (Satellite map of Ghiza complex)

    The Giza plateau is one of the most enduring prehistoric monuments in the world. It is home to three great pyramids (Those of Khufu, Khafre and Menkaure), at least six others and several other prominent structures include the great Sphinx and the Valley temple.

     

How old is Ghiza? - While it may at first sound controversial, recent Carbon-14 dating results indicate a period of construction from between 3,800 and 2,800 BC (2), a time frame which is considerably earlier than is currently claimed by Egyptologists (Official estimates still vary from year to year around the region of  2,600 to 2,400 BC). If these dates are confirmed in future sample-testing, Egyptologists will be forced to consider the re-appraisal for the dates ascribed to 'Proto-dynastic', 'Pre-dynastic' and Early Dynasty cultures (As suggested by Manetho, Petrie, Lockyer and others).

The 1984 "David H. Koch Pyramids Radiocarbon Project" took organic material from several places in the core of the Great Pyramid as well as other 4th Dynasty pyramids and locations so as to try and date their radiocarbon. This yielded results averaging 374 years earlier than the date accepted by egyptologists but much more recent than 10,000 years ago. A second dating in 1995 with new but similar material obtained dates ranging between 100-400 years earlier than those indicated by the historic record. This raised interesting questions concerning the origin and date of the wood. Massive quantities of wood were used and burned, so to reconcile the earlier dates the authors of the study theorize that possibly "old wood" was used, assuming that wood was harvested from any source available, including old construction material from all over Egypt. It is also known that King Sneferu imported wood from Lebanon. Project scientists based their conclusions on the evidence that some of the material in the 3rd Dynasty pyramid of Pharaoh Djoser and other monuments had been recycled, concluding that the construction of the pyramids marked a a major depletion of Egypt's exploitable wood. Dating of more short-lived material around the pyramid (cloth, small fires, etc) yielded dates nearer to those indicated by historical records. The authors insist more evidence is need to settle this issue. (Archeology " Dating the Pyramids " Volume 52 Number 5, September/October 1999 by members of the David H. Koch Pyramids Radiocarbon Project")

This study does not sufficiently address key anomalies in its findings, however - mainly how and where the Egyptians were able to obtain literally tons of 100-400 year old dead wood. Even preserved in a desert climate, finding forests of such magnitude comprised of ancient dead wood would be a phenomenon in and of itself. It is believed Egypt's climate would have only been able to support such a forest (though there is no evidence of one having existed at the time being largely grasslands) at the latest only prior to 4,000-6,000 BC. For this to be true an entire revision of Egypt's climatic history would be required. When considering the data, what is shown is the radio carbon of the pyramids yielded dates ranging from 100-400 years earlier than the "historical record", yet the signs of last casual occupation, ie. cloth, small fires, etc, have given dates much closer to what is expected from egyptologists. Instead of requiring a revision of Egypt's climatic history based solely on the fact these dates do not support accepted theory despite supporting climatology data to the contrary, it is equally possible that what the study suggests is true--that the pyramids are indeed older (if only by 100-400 years) than what is currently believed.

Ref: (http://wikipedia.org)

 Discoveries at Ghiza from before the 4th dynasty.

The earliest monument at Giza is 'mastaba V' , which dates to the reign of the first dynasty pharaoh Djet. http://www.egyptologyonline.com/giza_plateau.htm

'The Giza plateau is also home to many other ancient Egyptian monuments, including the tomb of Pharaoh Djet of the First dynasty as well as that of Pharaoh Ninetjer of the Second dynasty'. (http://wikipedia.org/wiki/Giza )

 Other pre-4th dynasty discoveries

Mortensen (46) discusses four ceramic jars, reportedly found in the late 1800's 'at the foot of the Great Pyramid' (the exact location has not been recorded). When these jars were first found, the Pre-dynastic period was little understood and, given the accepted 4th Dynasty context of the Giza site, the jars were assumed to be of 4th Dynasty date. Mortensen, however, has re-examined these jars and considers them to be typical of the late Pre-dynastic Ma'adi period. Given that the jars were found intact, Mortensen has also argued that they were from a burial rather than a settlement site. These jars, together with other isolated finds at Giza, have been interpreted as evidence for a Ma'adi-period settlement at Giza that was destroyed when the 4th Dynasty pyramids were built (47)

Set against the context of the 4th Dynasty development, the destruction of Pre-dynastic and Early Dynastic artefacts within the Giza necropolis is an important consideration.

In the mid 1970's, Karl Kromer, investigated one such area of debris, approximately one kilometre south of the Great Pyramid. (48) Within the fill, Kromer reported finds from the Late Pre-dynastic, 1st, 2nd and 4th Dynasties.

We can be certain from this that Giza was occupied before the fourth dynasty.

(Click here for more about when Giza was built)

 

Who built Giza? - It is believed by Egyptologists that the majority of the large 'Memphite' pyramids', were built over a period of three generations (With only 60 years between the completion of the 1st dynasty step pyramid of Djoser and the the beginning of the 4th dynasty pyramids of Giza) (2). Egyptologists currently believe Hemiunu (fl. 2570 BC) to be the architect of the Great pyramid. He was the son of Nefermaat, a relative of Khufu. Archaeologists have found mentions of Hemiunu with titles roughly translated as Master of works and Vizier. His tomb lies close to Khufu's pyramid, and contains reliefs of his image. Some stones of his mastaba are marked with dates referring to Khufu's reign. Ref: (wikipedia)

Although we cannot see it today, the Giza plateau remained essentially as it was built for thousands of years. The level of skills demonstrated there were so high that for a long time it was believed that the pyramids were 'divine creations' made literally by god. The debate today centres around the family of the Fourth dynasty Pharaohs in particular who, whilst no longer being doubted as having a strong association with the complex, present themselves to us so suddenly and uniquely as to cause us to search deep within ourselves to explain the origin, nature and purpose of these people.

The Fourth dynasty pharaohs are currently believed to be the result of an extremely rapid and dramatic rise to power in Egypt, following unification around 60 years before. This centralisation apparently initiated the development of several seemingly instantaneous sophisticated skills in the process. The development of all the large 'Heliopean' pyramids occurred over this same period of time and it is interesting to find that records suggest that at this very same time Egypt was 'overcome' by an immigration of people 'Shepherd folk', from the east.

The Fourth Dynasty Pharaohs:

We know that the pyramids of Giza are correctly attributed to Khufu, Khafre and Menkaure (Khufu’s son and grandson), from the numerous discoveries of cartouches and seals bearing their names.

Statues of Menkaure (left) and Khafre (right), both found in their respective 'Valley temples'.

(Note: Khafre's diorite statue was found buried upside down).

While there are numerous recorded discoveries of cartouches and statues of both Khafre and Menkaure at Giza, proof of Khufu's involvement at Giza is noticeably absent.

Khufu: This is the only cartouche, (And therefore the only direct evidence of Khufu's involvement at Giza). This cartouche (right), was found on the southern roof blocks of Campbell's chamber in the 'Great' pyramid, as was another cartouche  which is translated as 'Khnum-Khuf', found on the south wall of 'Lady Arbuthnot's' chamber (10). The same two Hieroglyphs have been found alongside each other elsewhere in Egypt. A situation which has generated speculation over their meaning.

Petrie said of this situation: 'The only great royal inscription (of Khufu) is on the rocks of Sinai. There are two tablets: one with the name and titles of Khufu, the other with the king smiting an enemy, and the name Khnum-khufu The name is found in five places The two names being placed in succession in one inscription cannot be mere chance variants of the same. Either they must be two distinct and independent names of one king, or else two separate kings. If they were separate kings, Khnum-khuf must have been the most important.

The Oxford History of Ancient Egypt (1), states that Khufu's full name was "Khnum-Khufu" which means "The god Khnum protects me."

However, Fix (11), pointed out that while the 'Khnum-Khufu' inscription occurs more frequently than Khufu's, the name does not appear on any of the Kings-lists.

Other 4th dynasty finds:

  • In 1955, two dismantled wooden boats were found buried beside the Great Pyramid beneath stones bearing Djedefre's name (Khafre's brother).

    •

  • The sarcophagus and funerary furniture of Queen Hetepheres I, the mother of Khufu, was discovered in 1925 near the satellite pyramids of the Great pyramid in shaft G700X of a pit tomb. It was in good condition and most of the contents were intact. Although the sarcophagus was sealed, and the canopic jars were intact, Hetepheres' mummy was missing. These are the oldest examples of canopic jars known.

 

While there is little debate at present over who built the pyramids, there is a visible change in the design and quality between the the first dynasty and the fourth (Such as Flat sided pyramids, Cardinal orientation,  Polar passages,  Lack of adornment and funerary remains). The combination of these particular construction features have no precedent in Egypt and it is worth looking at the source of he historical record suggests an immigration into Egypt at this time of a people as yet unidentified beyond their title of 'Shepherd Folk'.

 

The 'Shepherd Folk'..

The sudden and rapid expansion from pre-dynastic Egyptians into the sophisticated creators of the Ghiza-plateau has been likened to our modern space program or the computer revolution (2).

The Greek historian Herodotus passed on what he was told by Egyptian priests:

The following interpretation adequately describes the now famous conversation between Herodotus and Manetho. - 'In the course of his questioning he (Herodotus) encountered one Manetho, an Egyptian High Priest, scholar and Historian, with whom he conversed at length thru the agency of an interpreter. Manetho informed his distinguished guest that the architect of the huge mass of stone was one "Philition", or "Suphis", of a people known as the "Hyksos", that is "Shepherd Kings". According to Manetho, the Shepherd Kings were "a people of ignoble race" who came from some unknown land in the East; they were a nomadic band who numbered not less than 280,000 souls; they brought with them their families and all mobile possessions, including vast flocks of sheep and herds of cattle; and they "had the confidence to invade Egypt, and subdued it without a battle". this same people, said Manetho, overthrew the then-reigning Dynasty, stamped out idolatry and endeavoured to firmly establish in the place thereof the worship of the One true God having completed the Great pyramid, migrated eastward into the land afterwards known as Judea and founded there the city of Salem, which later became Jerusalem, the Holy city.' (12)  (It is noted that although Manetho is a proud Egyptian, he still stated that the pyramids were built by foreigners).

Herodotus Text cannot be ignored.

Who were the Shepherd folk?

The following extract is from Seiss (15) - 'Wilford, in his Asiatic researches, vol. iii, p.225, give an extract from the Hindoo records which seem to support certain factors of Manetho's idea that they were of  'Arabian' origin. The extract  says that one Tamo-vasta, a child of prayer, wise and devout, prayed for certain successes, and that God granted his requests, and that he came to Egypt with a chosen company, entered it "without any declaration of war, and began to administer justice among the people, to give them a specimen of a good king". This Tamo-vasta is represented in the account as a good king of the powerful people called the Pali, Shepherds, who in ancient times governed the whole country from the Indus to the mouth of the Ganges, and spread themselves, mainly by colonization and commerce, very far through Asia, Africa and Europe. They colonised the coasts of the Persian Gulf and the Sea-Coasts of Arabia, Palestine, and Africa, and ere the long-haired people called the Berbers in North Africa. They are likewise called Palestinae, which name has close affinity with the Philition of Herodotus. These Pali of the Hindoo records are plainly identical with some of the Joktanic peoples.'

It is noticeable that following the fourth dynasty, all the 'newly acquired' skills of the previous dynasties appear to become lost.

(Click here for more about who built Ghiza).

 

 

The Ghiza Constructions: An Overview.

Quick links:

 

The Ghiza Pyramids:

(There are nine pyramids visible on the Giza plateau today).

The Giza plateau was constructed under the auspices of the Fourth dynasty pharaohs Khafre, Khufu and Menkaure. This has been firmly established through the historical record and subsequent discoveries of cartouches at the site.

The discoveries of cartouches and funerary evidence from earlier dynasties (see above), raises the possibility that parts of the the site may have been re-used, and it is clear now that some structures were already present at Giza when the fourth dynasty began.

The traditional theory is that Giza was built as a funerary complex for fourth dynasty pharaohs. However, the lack of contemporary human funerary remains from any Egyptian pyramid and the obvious astronomical and geometric nature of the site, imply that the 'pyramids as tombs' theory is no longer sufficient and a broader definition of both Pyramids and Giza is now required.

 

There are very features in the Giza pyramids which are completely unique. Almost all the construction features can be seen in the preceding pyramids of the third dynasty. With their inclusion however, several features can be seen to have little precedent.

 

Both the pyramids of Khufu and Menkaure share the same 'star' shape (above). This design is noticeably absent in the pyramid of Khafre, central to the whole complex.

 

 

 

The Flattened surface of the pyramid is seen in the pyramids of the third dynasty, but nowhere was granite used for the exterior except for Menkaure's pyramid. According to Herodotus, this casing of 'Ethiopian stone' extended for half the height of the pyramid.

 

 

The so called 'Star-shafts' are unique in any Egyptian structure before or after. Their purpose is still only speculative. The two shafts from the 'Queens' chamber were built in place with their ends unfinished, and therefore invisible. The upper ends of the shafts terminate with 'doors' which have so far only yielded controversy.

(More about the 'star-shafts')

 

 

 

  • The 'Great' pyramid of Khufu (Cheops, Shoufu) - Son of Sneferu.

'Khufu belongs to the horizon' - The exterior angle of Khufu's pyramid is 51° 51', which in geometric terms is (360/7) x 4. This same angle is seen in the angle of the avenue leading from Stonehenge, and the angle from Avebury to the 'Sanctuary'.

Apologies - None of my photo's do justice to the Great pyramid.

The Giza pyramids were all built with simple horizontal rows of blocks - In the case of the great pyramid an estimated 2,500,000 with an average weight of 2.5 tons each. The pyramidion or Ben-ben is missing from the top has and never been reported.

 

The 'original' entrance: All of these stones were hidden in its original form. The original entrance was reported as having a pivoting stone similar to those found at other contemporary pyramids.

(Note the carved symbol over the lintel is said to represent 'The infinite horizon').

 

Internal Features:

 

 

 

(Other 'Great' pyramid construction features)

 

 

(The Great puzzle of Giza): Full analysis of the Great pyramid.

 

 

  • The pyramid of Khafre (Chephren) - Son of Khufu.

Khafre's pyramid stands equal in height to the great pyramid, although it is actually smaller - this is due to its being built on higher ground.

The angle of slope for 'Khafre's' pyramid is achieved as a result of a 3:4:5 triangle. (As is the King's coffer in the Great pyramid).

Although the majority of books discuss the 'mysteries' surrounding the 'great' pyramid,  Khafre's has certain features that make it equally unique. Not only does it sit at the geometric centre of the site, it is also attached to the Sphinx by a causeway, although this causeway runs over other tombs making it a later addition.

 

 

Khafre's pyramid sits at the centre of the Giza plateau, it is attached to the Sphinx by a causeway, the angle of which is 30° off true East.

 

 

  • The pyramid of Menkaure: - Son of Khafre, Grandson of Khufu.

Although Menkaure's pyramid is the smallest, and was constructed last, it was faced with several layers of granite, which were left unfinished.

 

The blue basalt coffer which was taken from the pyramid was lost at sea a year later in 1838. A joint Egyptian/Spanish initiative is currently underway to retrieve it.

(Click here for more)

 

 

Menkures Granite Facing Blocks.

(Note -  The very specific  'protuberances' on the granite blocks seen on the Menkaure  pyramid are a common architectural feature in seen in both Abydoss, and in S. America) -

(Similar construction techniques from the ancient world)

 

Geometry at Giza.