The Pyramids of Giza are one of the most famous places in the world. They are in Egypt, near the city of Cairo. The pyramids were built more than 4,500 years ago during the time of the ancient Egyptians. They are one of the greatest examples of ancient engineering and are still standing today.
The pyramids were built as tombs for the pharaohs. A pharaoh was the king of ancient Egypt. The Egyptian people believed that the pharaoh would live again after death. Because of this belief, they built large and strong tombs to protect the pharaoh's body. They also placed gold, jewelry, clothes, food, furniture, and other useful things inside the tomb because they believed the pharaoh would need them in the next life.
There are three main pyramids at Giza. The largest one is the Great Pyramid of Giza. It was built for Pharaoh Khufu around 2580 BC. It was about 146.6 meters (481 feet) tall when it was first built. It was the tallest building in the world for nearly 3,800 years. Today, it is a little shorter because some of the outer stones and the top part have fallen away.
The second pyramid was built for Pharaoh Khafre. It looks taller than the Great Pyramid because it stands on higher ground. Near this pyramid is the famous Great Sphinx of Giza. The Sphinx has the body of a lion and the head of a king. Many people believe it was built to guard the pyramids.
The third pyramid was built for Pharaoh Menkaure. It is much smaller than the other two pyramids, but it is still an amazing building. Each pyramid was built with millions of large stone blocks. Some of these stones weighed several tons.
Many people once believed that slaves built the pyramids, but today most historians think they were built by skilled workers. These workers used simple tools made of copper and stone. They moved the heavy blocks with ropes, wooden sledges, and ramps. Building the Great Pyramid took about 20 years and required thousands of workers.
The pyramids were covered with smooth white limestone when they were first built. In the sunlight, they looked bright and shiny. Over many years, most of these outer stones were removed or damaged, so today the pyramids look rough.
Today, the Egyptian pyramids are one of the world's most popular tourist attractions. Millions of people visit them every year to learn about ancient Egypt. The pyramids are also one of the greatest mysteries in history because people are still studying exactly how they were built. They show the intelligence, hard work, and great building skills of the ancient Egyptians.
-Sara-