The Giza Pyramids have been studied for centuries, yet they still surprise. Here are some facts about them that most visitors do not know, all based on real archaeology rather than legend.
They were once white and shining
The pyramids were covered in polished white limestone casing that reflected the sun. Most of it was taken in the Middle Ages to build Cairo, especially after an earthquake in 1303. You can still see some casing at the top of the Pyramid of Khafre.
The Great Pyramid was the tallest building on earth for 3,800 years
Only in the 14th century did Lincoln Cathedral in England, with its spire, rise higher.
Cleopatra lived closer to us than to the pyramid builders
The Great Pyramid was already about 2,500 years old when Cleopatra was born. She lived about 2,000 years before us.
There are more than 100 pyramids in Egypt
Giza is the most famous site, but pyramids stand at Saqqara, Dahshur, Meidum, Abusir, Lisht and other places. Sudan has even more, built by the kings of Kush.
Workers left their names inside
In the hidden relieving chambers above the King’s Chamber, workers painted the names of their teams, such as “Friends of Khufu”.
New spaces are still being found
In 2017 the ScanPyramids project, using cosmic-ray particles, detected a large hidden void above the Grand Gallery, and in 2023 a sealed corridor behind the north face entrance was confirmed and filmed with a camera.
They were not built by slaves
The workers’ town and cemetery found south of Giza show they were paid, fed and given honorable burials. Read more about how the pyramids were built.
