The Seven Wonders Of The Ancient World: The Great Pyramid Of Giza

The Great Pyramid of Giza

The Seven Wonders of the Ancient World demonstrate individuals’ incredible creativity and imagination. God, of course, is responsible for these creations as He is the one who blessed mankind with such imagination and creativity. Some of these amazing pieces of history include the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, the Statue of Zeus at Olympia, and the Temple of Artemis at Ephesus. The complex architectural feats that each wonder displays are truly remarkable. However, six of these wonders have unfortunately been destroyed. The only structure that remains is the Great Pyramid of Giza. When observing this great ancient wonder, it is interesting to consider its general facts, theories of construction, and strategies of preservation.

The first step in building this pyramid was choosing the best location. Next, crews needed to be organized and resources had to be gathered. This was the responsibility of the second in command, which in Khufu’s case, was Hemiunu, his nephew. Hemiunu also was in charge of delegating responsibilities such as payments, labor, and materials. In regards to how the pyramid was actually built, several theories have been suggested. One theory is that ramps were positioned on the outside of the base of the pyramid throughout the whole building process to move blocks into place. Another theory suggests the same thing except for the idea that as workers neared the top, interior ramps were used instead of exterior ramps. The likelihood of these theories being accurate is quite small because of physics. The most likely theory was proposed by Robert Carson, who believed that the Great Pyramid was built using water power. This could have been made possible by the high water table of the Giza plateau. The Egyptians used a tool called the shaduf, a long pole with a bucket and rope on one end and a weight on the other end. Along with interior ramps, Carson suggested that hydraulic power from underneath combined with hoists from above could have been used to navigate stones into place. Historians have had disputes in the past over who actually did the labor. Some believe it was slaves, but it is

The pyramid has faced and still is facing several threats to its existence. One of the most serious threats comes from the thousands of tourists that visit the pyramid. Each visitor produces almost an ounce of moisture with his/her breath and perspiration. This moisture has a very high saline (or salt) content, so it is very harmful to the limestone and causes it to deteriorate. Also, as the population of nearby areas increases, agricultural land moves nearer to the Great Pyramid and the other Pyramids of Giza. Because of this, the pyramids’ foundations could be damaged and weakened. Cairo’s air pollution could also be potentially harmful. However, steps have been taken to reduce these issues. Individuals who want to protect the Great Pyramid have removed graffiti, cleaned the walls of salt, repaired cracks, and installed a new lighting system. Also, only 300 people are allowed to enter the pyramid each day in an effort to keep the moisture content under control. As historians and scientists continue to study, greater efforts will be exercised in order to preserve this wonder of the ancient world for generations to