Why were so many built? How did the ancients manage such precision and design? Who were the architects responsible for these now famous monuments? 

Here’s a list of 15 famous monuments that will blow your mind. Although many are so old they are but fingerprints of their original state, they still are powerful enough to draw our attention and spark our imagination from deep inside. 

1. Kailasa Temple, India 

Image: The Kailasa Temple is a famous monument located in India.

The Kailasa Temple was carved out of a single piece of rock, making it the largest monolithic structure in the world. If this doesn’t sound impressive enough, the ancient builders are thought to have constructed it vertically, from the top down. It would be like trying to carve an ice sculpture from above!  

Estimations vary depending on who you ask, but on average it is thought over 200,000 tonnes of basalt rock was removed as the temple was made.  

The famous monument doesn’t stand alone–it is part of a complex of carved cave structures. In total, there are 34 individual temples and monasteries, which are known as the ‘Ellora Caves’. However, it is the sheer size and the intricate and stunning carvings that adorn the Kailasa temple, which make it the most famous monument in the complex.

2. Rock Ship of Masuda, Japan 

Image: The famous monument of Masuda, Japan.

Weighing in at an estimated 800 tonnes and carved out of solid granite, the Rock Ship of Masuda is as enigmatic as they come.  

This famous monument, located in Asuka, Japan, bears the striking resemblance to a spaceship of some kind. It was discovered atop a steep hill in an area of Japan known for its many rock mounds and carvings. The Rock Ship, which is the largest of the mounds, is 36 feet long and around 15 feet high. Carving this ship would have been a tough enough task for whoever was responsible, yet they made their jobs even more difficult by carving two square openings from the top to the bottom of the monument. 

It is still unknown who carved the ship or why, however this famous monument continues to draw interest from travellers all over the world. 

3. Baalbek, Lebanon 

Image: The temple of Jupiter, Baalbeek, Lebanon. Source

Welcome to Baalbek–home to the largest cut piece of stone ever achieved by human hand. 

The carved stone is thought to weigh 1650 tonnes, and still sits unmoved in a nearby quarry. Although this weight is huge, it is not the most mysterious part of the famous monument. 

For Baalbek, there are still many questions surrounding its origin. Although it is generally accepted the Romans built part of it, there are many who believe otherwise. Backing this idea up is the fact that the Romans never left any documentation on who commissioned its original structure. There are Roman built areas of Baalbek, but the original giant stone blocks seem beyond the capabilities of even the once mighty Roman Empire.  

It has long caused confusion as to why such unnecessarily large blocks were used at all at Baalbek. It seems impractical and unnecessary to our civilization to build with such ridiculously large blocks of stone. 

Regardless of who built it, when it was first constructed, and why, it is a truly remarkable famous monument–one that is a puzzling as it is beautiful. 

4. Giant Leshan Buddha, China 

Image: The famous rock-cut buddha statue in Leshan, China Source

Etched out of a mountainside and standing over 230 feet tall is the largest carved Buddha on the planet. This famous monument, located near the city of Leshan, China, took over 90 years to construct and is now a UNESCO world heritage site. 

The Giant Buddha was well worth the effort for the three generations of craftsmen who built it. After it’s completion, it was thought the monument would help calm the fierce waters that ran below its stone feet. This was both symbolic and literal, as passing vessels soon had a calmer path through the river due to the many stones that fell and became submerged during the Buddha’s construction. 

5. Star Door, Peru

Image: The Star-door Peru Source

A carved doorway leading nowhere, with nothing but legends left to explain it. This is the mysterious ‘Star Door’, located high in the rugged mountains of Hayu Marca in Southern Peru. 

There is so much mystery here. Countless stories exist of the door with many native tribes having names like ‘gateway to the land of the gods’ and ‘the city of the gods’. It seems that stories are all that are left to us, with no one sure of when, why and by whom the door was carved. 

In local traditions it is said that there have been many throughout history who have disappeared after approaching the door, never to be seen again. There have also been many strange reports from visitors claiming to have heard music and chanting coming from the solid rock behind the famous monument. Not only this–many have claimed to have seen a strange light phenomenon and objects above and around the star door. 

Its purpose may never fully be understood, however this strange monolith still attracts thousands of tourists each year, all of which are drawn in by its mystery. 

6. Machu Picchu, Peru 

Image: The hidden mountain-top temple of Machu Picchu, Peru. Source

We’ve all heard of Machu Picchu–the city build on top of a mountain. This ancient wonder still attracts millions of visitors each year, making it the most famous monument in all of Peru. 

For reasons still unknown, the city was built in an extremely isolated and remote region of South America. How the ancients constructed it without the wheel, modern technology, or even mortar is an engineering anomaly. There is still a functioning canal system found all over Machu Picchu, which has long baffled archaeologists. Canals, fountains, springs and intricate drainage holes are some of the features of the famous monument’s water works. 

One of the biggest questions surrounding Machu Picchu is why it was purposely abandoned. There have been no signs of warfare or natural disasters found around the city, raising the notion that that inhabitants left the site by choice sometime in deep antiquity. 

7. Göbekli Tepe, Turkey 

Image: Gobekli Tepe temple in Turkey Source

The site that shouldn’t exist – Göbekli Tepe  is by far the most important archaeological discovery in the history of the planet. 

Found in the dry lands of Turkey, this now famous monument has changed everything we thought we knew about modern civilization. 

Here are just a few facts about the site that will blow your mind 

• It was built over 11000 years ago 
• Its construction predates Stonehenge, writing and the invention of the wheel by at least 6000 years 
• It is so old it predates the invention of the tools that are supposed to have built it 
• It is believed that agriculture was invented there 
• The pillars that make up the site are huge, with some standing over 5 meters tall and weighing over 10 tonnes! 
• It was purposely buried and remained so for over 9000 years 
• It appears just after the North American ice sheet melted–an extremely turbulent time in Earth’s pre-history 

8. Easter Island 

Image: The Moai Statues of Easter Island. Source

Over 1000 miles of open sea separates Easter Island from its closest neighboring landmass–making the structures on it some of the most isolated on earth.  

It is still unknown who exactly is responsible, but at some point over 800 years ago the inhabitants of the island began to carve and erect huge standing stone figures known as ‘Moai’. The statues–over 900 in total–have long captured the imagination of people from all over the world. Each statue stands an average 13 feet tall and weighs around 14 tonnes, with the largest weighing an incredible 70 tonnes. 

Many have assumed people from the Americas originally inhabited Easter Island, yet a recent DNA test carried out by archaeologists at the University of Bristol concluded there was no evidence for this. Instead, the researchers found that it was more likely that Polynesians or peoples from Australasia had made their way to the tiny island and decided to construct the stunning figures. 

These results only deepen the mystery surrounding the island and the famous monuments left behind. It is still up for debate how the figures were moved, as well as how the materials were excavated from the volcanic crater where the rock was initially quarried. 

9. Sascayuaman, Peru 

Image: Sascayuaman, Peru Source

The complex of Sascayuaman–a series of megalithic stone walls carved and joined so perfectly that even today you can’t fit a blade of grass in between–bears some of the most impressive architecture on the planet.  

The huge carved stones, some of which weighing in at 70 tonnes, have been cut and placed together like puzzle pieces. These stones don’t make up your average wall; they are mismatched and sloped yet somehow all manage to fit together perfectly and without mortar. Undertaking the task of constructing the walls would drive any sane stonemason mad. 

The incredible 12-sided stone is one of the most popular parts of this famous monument, with no one being able to explain how this was possibly achieved. The walls of Sascayuaman aren’t built straight or even curved, but instead they zigzag along the earth, making them unique in their style. 

10. Moray, Peru 

Image: Moray, Peru Source

While Machu Picchu sits in the spotlight for Peru’s most famous monument, Moray quietly rests with just as much mystery surrounding it. 

Built high in the Andes Mountains near Cusco, the site sits far from any nearby temples or megalithic structures, it is completely isolated. 

While many argue the ancient ruins of Moray were simply an agricultural experiment, there has been much doubt cast on this theory in recent times. Many have concluded that the Incas–known for their advanced knowledge of farming and water systems–would have designed the site to be far more practical for farming than it currently is. 

The ancient site, built with a series of concentric circular depressions, has an appearance that resembles a speaker carved into the earth.  

This has led some to question the famous monuments acoustic properties, which could help solve the unanswered questions regarding Moray’s purpose. Some researchers have documented extremely loud reverberations when certain frequencies are sung, claiming the nearby mountains come to life with sound and resonance.

11. The Sphinx, Egypt 

Image: The Great Sphinx of Giza, Egypt. Source

Few texts, symbols, writing or inscriptions have ever been found documenting who originally built the Sphinx, making its origin completely unknown. This has raised many theories over the years as it is the largest Sphinx found anywhere on Earth. 

Carved from a single piece of limestone, the famous monument in Egypt is over 70 meters long and 20 meters high. Its gaze stares eastward, which has made many believe it is in fact an equatorial marker, or a monument that marks important moments during the equinox.  

This idea has led many to conclude it was built to signify the constellation Leo–which would mean the great Sphinx was built around 10500 BC–many thousands of years older than its conventional date. This idea is known as the Sphinx Water Erosion Hypothesis and is based on the fact the enclosure surrounding the Sphinx has clearly been eroded by huge amounts of flowing water–the scale of which has not been seen in Egypt since at least 10000 BC. 

12. Lalibela, Ethiopia 

Image: Lalibela Churches, Ethiopia Source

11 individual churches make up the Ethiopian site of Lalibela, all of which are monoliths carved deep into the bedrock.  

The largest of these, Bet Medhane Alemis the biggest rock-hewn hewn church on earth–with an area of over 33 by 23 meters and standing over 11 metres tall. Each church was carved from the top down, which would be an incredible feat even by today’s standards. 

One of the most fascinating aspects of the famous monuments at Lalibela is their uncanny resemblance to the Biblical Ark of the Covenant. Because of the similarities in the churches appearance as well as the Ethiopian’s claim to still hold the fabled treasure, there are many who believe this may be true. 

By some estimates as much as 40000 people were involved in carving out the churches. Adding further mystery to the site is the fact that no earth or rubble has ever been found in the surrounding area.  

Who knows how these incredible famous monuments were built nearly 1000 years ago. 

13. Hagar Qim, Malta 

Image: Megalithic temples of Hagar Qim, Malta. Source

You wouldn’t know it, but Malta is full of ancient megalithic structures. The most intriguing of these is the site of Hagar Qim, which is thought to have been built between 3500 BC and 2900 BC. 

This standing-stone complex comprises of giant standing stone blocks, some of which weigh over 20 tonnes and stand over 20 feet tall.  

The most mysterious part of this famous monument is the fact that no advanced civilization was ever thought to have lived on the small archipelago. The sophistication and skill required to construct such a temple is one that seemingly appears out of nowhere. 

Not only is it the size and precision of the stone blocks, it is also the advanced astronomy of the site that has historians scratching their heads. Alignments to the summer solstice sunrise and sunset are evident at the ancient site, showing that someone on the small archipelago was correctly tracking the stars over 5000 years ago. 

14. Goseck Circle, Germany 

Image: Goseck Circle, Germany Source

As this famous monument is precisely orientated to the rising and setting sun on the winter solstice, it is one of the oldest solar observatories on the planet. Constructed nearly 7000 years ago from earth, gravel, stone, and timber, Goseck Circle bears striking resemblance to its UK counterpart ‘Stonehenge,’ yet was built far earlier.  

Could this ancient site have been erected by the same civilization? 

No one knows for sure who is responsible for Europe’s most intriguing ancient site, yet the unknown culture’s heritage spans deep into prehistory and maybe even beyond.  

The earthworks and circular trenches found within Goseck Circle are eerily similar to many sites found across the UK. It is quite the thought trying to image who the culture was who built it, and for what purpose it was intended. 

15. Newgrange, Ireland

Image: Newgrange, Ireland Source

Newgrange is without doubt the most famous monument ever found in Ireland. It was made so well in fact–using a mixture of earth, clay, stone, and wood–that it still remains completely waterproof to this day.  

Not only is this site extremely large and extremely old, it was made with absolute precision and the utmost care. The site was built in such a way that on the winter solstice, the shortest day of the year, a single beam of light flows through the underground chamber and illuminates a thin 60-foot passageway leading to a central chamber.  

This stunning piece of architecture has long caused debate among scholars. How the ancients were able to create such a precise monument so long ago is still not known, and may never be. 

The site is one of many examples of henges, stone circles, standing stones, and peculiar megaliths that litter the landscapes of Ireland; which was once home to an advanced civilization lost to history. 

The post Travel Bucket List: 15 Famous Monuments (You Must Plan to See) appeared first on .

As a result, the Aswan High Dam had to be built, which meant that somehow, two gigantic structures thousands of years old had to be moved. 

In this article we’ll explore insider traveller tips and lesser known history of the Abu Simbel Temple. 

Quick Facts on the Abu Simbel Temple: 

• Location: Aswan, Egypt on the banks of Lake Nasser 
• Original name: The temple of Ramesses-Meryamun 
• Construction: 13th century BC 
• Commissioned by: Pharaoh Ramses II 
• Purpose: Monument to commemorate his victory at the Battle of Kadesh 
• Dedicated to: Amun, Ra-Horakhty, Ptah, and the deified Ramses II 
• Size: Statues of Ramses II are about 20 meters high 
• Relocation: 1986  
• Distance from Aswan: 288 km 

How to get to the Abu Simbel Temple 

The distance between Aswan and Abu Simbel is 280 kilometers and Luxor lies 591km away.

• Daily flights: from Aswan to Abu Simbel.  
• Depart around 10:00 am and will be back around 2:00 pm  
• Cost: you about 250 US-Dollar per person. 
• By tourist bus: (this one has very good reviews) for a fraction of that price and roughly 7 hours on the bus driving through the Nubian desert 

The History of the Abu Simbel Temples 

Located at a site called Abu Simbel in Nubia, Upper Egypt, the eponymous rock temples were created in 1244 BCE, under the orders of pharaoh Ramesses II (1303-1213 B.C.). The two temples were part of the Nubian Monuments, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. They were intended to represent Ramesses II’s victory at the Battle of Qadesh, and were built to honor both him and Nefertari, his queen. 

To better understand the significance of the temples — and the thought process that went behind their construction — one need simply to examine the profile of Ramesses II. As the pharaoh, he took an active role in expanding Egypt’s territory, eventually finding himself in combat with the Hittites in the Battle of Qadesh in Syria.  

Ramesses II was fond of showcasing his achievements. It was this desire to brag about his victory that led to the planning and eventual construction of the temples. (Interestingly, historians say that the Battle of Qadesh actually ended in a draw based on the depicted story — not quite the definitive victory Ramesses II was making it out to be.) 

As mentioned earlier, there were two temples on the site. One of them, the Great Temple, was larger than the other. The Great Temple was also called “The Temple of Ramesses-Meryamun” (“Ramesses, beloved by Amun”). This temple was built to measure 98 ft (30 m) in height and 115 ft (35 m) in length.  

Upon entering the temple, the first room you would see is an atrium with four pillars on each side. The pillars depict Ramesses II as the god Osiris, while the atrium itself features hieroglyphs that tell the story of the Battle of Qadesh. Positioned on the sides of the atrium are numerous storerooms. Deeper down into the temple, a second atrium can be found. This atrium features four decorated pillars, and depicts the pharaoh embracing his divinity. 

Meanwhile, the second temple on the Abu Simbel site is smaller than the Great Temple. Due to the size and the facade (two statues of Nefertari, plus four of Ramesses II), it is believed that this second temple was built for the queen. The Great Temple is said to be dedicated to Ra-Horakhty, while the Small Temple was built in honor of Hathor. 

It took approximately two decades to build the Abu Simbel temples. Construction on these two temples is believed to have started in 1244 BCE.  

While it may be impossible to determine the exact reasons why Ramesses II commissioned the temples to be built, experts generally agree that it could have been any or all of these four reasons. 

1. As stated earlier, Ramesses II wanted a lasting monument to his triumph at the Battle of Kadesh. The carved figures of bound captives near the base of the Great Temple supports this theory. 
2. Ramesses II wanted to display his power, as a means of making the Nubians fear him. Ramesses II wanted to spread Egypt’s religion across the regions, and to that end, he may have been thinking of using fear as his greatest weapon. 
3. Ramesses II may have had the small temple built to honor his wife. 
4. It may have all been just to satisfy Ramesses II’s ego — to honor himself for his accomplishments. 

Without a doubt, the most instantly recognizable aspects of this temple complex are the gigantic rock figures sitting right outside the entrance, each roughly 69 feet (21 m) in height. All of the statues depict Ramesses II in a seated position. 

The Powerful Astronomy of the Abu Simbel Temple

The temples weren’t just created for show, though. A closer look at some key details would reveal that there was more thought put into the construction of the temples than what’s immediately apparent. 

Here we explore the ancient astronomy of Egypt.

According to experts, the Great Temple was built and positioned in such a way that on two days of the year — February 22 and October 22 — the rays of the sun would hit and illuminate the back wall of the second atrium, which would in turn envelop the statues of Ramesses II, Amun-Ra, and Ra-Horakhty in warm sunlight. Interestingly (and appropriately enough), when this phenomenon happens, one statue that is also located at the back wall remains hidden from the sunlight: the statue of Ptah, the god of the Underworld. As the other statues bask in the sun’s rays, Ptah stays in the dark.  

The question is: Why February 22 and October 22? 

Interestingly, a single correct answer to this query has not yet been determined.  

The dates must have meant something, because it would be odd for them to act as distinct markers for no apparent reason. One popular theory is that the dates represent when Ramesses II was born and when he ascended to the throne. However, no evidence is available to confirm this bit of speculation. 

Another theory is that both dates represent the number of days before and after the solstice.  

Either way, tourists still flock to the temples today to watch and participate in this biannual event called the Sun Festival. To spectators, the event represents Ramesses II’s ascension to godhood, joining Amun-Ra and Ra-Horakhty.

For the rest of Aswan, however, both days are filled with feasting, singing, and dancing, as they celebrate the pharaoh’s accomplishments and the rich history and culture of ancient Egypt as well. 

Archaeological Findings on the Abu Simbel Temple Site 

Another question: Why did the temples have to be moved in the first place, again? And how did the movers manage to do it? 

When the temples ceased to see regular activity at some point prior to the 6th century BCE, they started getting covered in sand and ultimately forgotten. By the beginning of the 19th century, enough sand had accumulated to cover the statues up to their knees. 

However, things changed for the site in 1813 when a Swiss scholar named Johann Ludwig Burckhardt caught a glimpse of the Great Temple from afar, just as he was journeying down the Nile from Lake Nasser. When he looked harder, he realized that he was actually staring at a long-buried structure, with gargantuan statues almost fully covered in sand. With the aid of his friend, an Italian explorer named Giovanni Belzoni, Burckhardt began to dig through the sand in an attempt to access the entrance of the temple, to no avail. 

Four years later, Belzoni returned to the site with Egyptologist William John Bankes in tow. Together, they succeeded in uncovering the entrance to the Great Temple, even going as far as to enter the monument and retrieve small articles they found within the premises.  

However, a century after the temples were excavated, a new threat to their existence emerged: an impending flood due to the rising water levels of the Nile river.  

The temples were in danger of being flooded and wiped out by the Nile’s waters, and so drastic steps had to be undertaken. In this case, the experts made plans to move the temples themselves. Part of what made this necessary was the then-pending construction of the Aswan High Dam to remedy the Nile flooding situation. 

Thus, the temples were dismantled in the 1960s, moved piece by piece to a new location some distance away from the original site. The temples were cut up into chunks that weighed between 3 to 20 tons apiece. There, the temples were painstakingly reassembled; in fact, the team did such a great job that a reporter wrote: “[E]verything looks just as it did before; it is enough to make one doubt that the temples were moved at all.” 

All in all, the effort to save the Abu Simbel Temples required 3,000 workers, five years, and around USD 42 million (or USD 350 million, based on today’s inflation rates). 

One last thing about the temples: The site’s name may not have even been Abu Simbel in the first place. Some say that Abu Simbel was actually the name of Burckhardt’s young guide, who led him to the site after spotting traces of the buried temples in the sand. This led to Belzoni naming the site after the boy when he returned to excavate it in 1817. Whatever the original name of the site was is now unfortunately lost in the sands of time. 

Conclusion 

What do you think of the daring and innovative effort to move the entirety of two ancient temples to a different location?

Do you think the current location of the Abu Simbel Temple has a similar effect to it’s previous locality?

Leave your thoughts in the comments section below. 

Further reading:

• https://www.ancient.eu/Abu_Simbel/  
• https://www.livescience.com/37360-abu-simbel.html 
• https://www.ancient-egypt-online.com/abu-simbel.html 

The post Astronomy & Insider Travel Tips to the Abu Simbel Temple, Egypt. appeared first on .

The awe-inspiring and almost unbelievable Angkor temple complex, built in the picturesque and tropical landscapes of Cambodia, is also the largest religious monument found anywhere on Earth. 

Although long abandoned as a functioning temple, the UNESCO world heritage site is on bucket lists of travelers from all walks of life and all corners of the globe–making it one of the most popular travel destinations in the world. 

What was the Angkor Wat Temple used for? Many things about this ancient site will astonish you.  

A look into these questions and more helps reveal a mysterious, awe-inspiring, and magnificent temple that needs to be seen to be believed.
 

Where is Angkor Wat?  

Image: The Angkor Wat Temple complex is located in North West Cambodia, near the Thailand border. Source

How to get to Angkor Wat 

• Closest City: Siem Reap 

• Travel Time: Travelling to Angkor Wat from Siem Reap takes around 15 minutes.  

• When to go: After breakfast and over lunch are quieter periods.  

• Angkor Sunset Tip:  Busiest times include sunset on top of the hill at Phnom Bakheng. Head for the outer wall of Neak Pean, or the west wall of Angkor Thom for a quieter, unique experience.  

• Angkor Temple Complex: There are over a thousand temples in the whole complex, Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom are the most popular, so you can opt to investigate the less traveled (Roluous and Ta Nei are good options) for the less tourist affected option.

What makes up the Angkor Wat Temple Complex? 

• Angkor Wat 

Image: Aerial view of the Angkor Wat Temple Source

Angkor Wat is the first temple you’ll find from Siem Reap and forms a symbolic representation of the mythical Hindu home of the gods, Mount Meru. Despite receiving around two million visitors a year, the capital of the Khmer remains relatively intact and provides a ‘popular’ spot at sunset and sunrise with reflective views over the moat always a slightly less touristy highlight.

• Angkor Thom 

Image: Angkor Thom Source

Just over 1.5km north of Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom can be entered via the South Gate which is flanked by 54 devils and gods locked in an eternal tug of war with a huge snake. Inside the high walled citadel, you’ll discover all roads lead to the Bayon with the 350-meter Terrace of Elephants making a definite ‘must see’ while en-route. 

• The Bayon 

Image: The smiling faces of the Bayon inside Angkor Thom.

Surrounded by Angkor Thom, the Bayon is a much more intense experience with giant smiling faces watching your every move to unsettle even the least or the most spiritual of visitors. A giant stone Buddha draped in traditional orange robes sits between the Bayon and nearby Baphuon temple providing a pertinent rest stop or photo op. 

• East Mebon 

Image: Source

One of the first known temples built in the region, East Mebon is slightly dilapidated however it still holds some of Angkor’s most impressive sculptures with a wealth of wild animals intricately carved in honor of the Hindu god, Shiva. Sunset is the best time to visit as the masonry takes on a brown, red hue with fewer crowds than Angkor Wat.

• Ta Prohm 

Image: The ruins of the Ta Prohm temple is overgrown with towering trees. Source

Aside from the undeniable ingenuity of Khmer architects another side to Angkor is the quicksilver tree roots that slither and drip over crumbling temple walls such as Ta Prohm. Unlike other temples, Ta Prohm has been preserved pretty much as it was found and is a top-rated site, particularly for fans of the 2001 Tomb Raider film. 

• Ta Som

Image: The entrance of the temple of Ta Som

Ta Som is a kind of mini version of Ta Prohm with a well-photographed strangler fig which has allowed its roots to grow and occupy the intriguing entrance way. Approach from the east, and you’ll find a solitary shrine carved with female deities and if you’re searching for silence. 

History of the Angkor Wat Temple 

The Angkor Wat Temple is a masterpiece of human construction. Its precision, composition, building techniques, balance, as well as artistic sculpture and relief, is unbelievable.

It is a vast temple complex that has a footprint of over 400 acres, and its highest tower stands 213 feet tall.

The temple is surrounded by a moat–over 650 feet wide. If it were to be stretched out it would measure an incredible 3.4 miles long. The moat is as functional as it is breathtaking, helping to stabilize the temple and its foundations as well as maintaining the surrounding water levels. 

Angkor Wat is orientated to the west, which is the symbolic direction of the Hindu god Vishnu. A long stone causeway spans the moat and is used as the main entrance to the temple. 

Not only is it an incredible display of architecture and engineering it is also aesthetically stunning. As you approach the temple, you are met with stone towers that draw your attention and invite you to gaze upon its grandeur. The towers, five in total, are made with such precision that they can be used to track the suns movements throughout the year. 

What was Angkor Wat Built for? 

Although the reason why this famous monument was built is debated, there are some things that are agreed upon. The word Angkor roughly translates to ‘capital city’ and Wat to ‘Temple’; Angkor Wat means ‘Capital City Temple’

The temple is an earthly reflection of the infinite universe. It is a replica, set in stone, to help reveal to its onlookers our place within the cosmos.

Angkor Wat is thought to represent Mt Meru, which, according to the Hindu faith, is the home of the gods. The five main towers of Angkor Wat are said to represent Meru, while the surrounding land and moat symbolize the continents and mountains and sea surrounding them.

It was initially built as the capital of the Khmer empire, which ruled over Cambodia for over 600 years from around 800 BC to 1400 BC. The significance and beauty of the site was in dedication to the god Vishnu, who is depicted through carvings and artworks found all over the site. 

When was Angkor Wat Built? 

The only remains left to us by the once great Khmer empire are scatterings of ancient monuments. Although the capital of the Khmer was in Cambodia, the Empire also stretched into areas of Laos, Vietnam, as well as Thailand.  

Because of this, Angkor Wat is thought to have been the main temple to a population of well over one million. 

Construction of Angkor Wat began in the middle of the 12th century AD. Although it is not known for sure, by most estimations it took around 30 years to complete. It was during the reign of King Suryavarman II that the first evidence of designs and construction appear in the archaeological record. 

It was a combination of highly skilled architects, designers, stonemasons, engineers, and artists that would have all contributed to creating the exquisite site. 

How was Angkor Wat Built? 

Even by today’s standards, it would take years and countless millions of dollars to construct a simple 

Built before the days of heavy machinery, the builders of Angkor would have instead relied on large numbers of people and brute workforce. More than 300,000 people are believed to have built the temple, as well as over five thousand elephants–with thousands of each working together at once. 

To give some perspective on the scale of the work– over 53 million cubic feet of Earth, sand, and silt was removed from the site, and that was just for the moat!

The sandstone blocks used throughout Angkor Wat were brought from their quarry over 30 miles away. According to inscriptions and legends, these were dragged, floated, and hauled into place in callous and almost impossible conditions.

Hindu or Buddhist Carvings at Angkor Wat? 

It is not only Angkor Wat from a distance that evokes the senses. The fine details found all over the temple are as powerful and evocative as the structure itself.  

One area that presents a mystery is the mix of both Hindu and Buddist Carvings across the Angkor Wat Temple.  

Covering nearly the entire temple can be found carvings and inscriptions of the highest quality. Depictions of both Hindu and Buddhist mythology as well as animal and human sculptures are met with stunning floral artworks to create a symphony of art.  

The heavy symbolism found across Angkor Wat is still shrouded in mystery, with specific numbers of carvings and sculptures popping up again and again. Some argue they are processional numbers, while others say they are geometric numbers (most notably pentagonal numbers relating to the five central towers of Angkor Wat). 

Here’s a look of some of the incredible art of Angkor Wat:

• Apsaras 

Image: Carved images of Angkor Wat

There are thousands of unique and individual carvings of ‘Apsaras,’ found all over Angkor Wat. These are dancing goddesses who represent the guardians of the temple as well as symbolize the elixir of immortality in which they were born. They are also referred to as ‘nymphs’. 

Each Apsara is beautiful in its detail. Adorned with jewelry, floral decorations, clothing, specific postures, as well as countless unique hairstyles, they draw you in with their mystery and splendor. 

• Churning of the Milky Ocean 

One of the most important artworks found within the walls of the temple is known as the ‘churning of the milky ocean.’ It represents the story of the creation of the universe and the beginning of time.

• Naga Serpent 

Image: The Naga serpent of Angkor Wat. Source

A huge seven-headed serpent greets you as you first enter the site of Angkor Wat. According to mythology, the Khmer people who built the temple were from another realm, and the Naga Serpent is thought to honor a reptilian-like race and pay tribute to their deeds.

This mythical carving is also representative of the infinite and immortal universe, with the number 7 a highly symbolic number not only according to the Khmer but also by most of the ancient world.
 

Conclusion 

Angkor Wat continues to attract and enthrall millions of visitors each year. Although long abandoned, its enormous scale mixed with incredible detail is still picturesque and astonishing. 

We still gaze curiously upon the temple, with many mysteries and unanswered questions surrounding the famous monument that would have been glorious in its original form. 

If you’re traveling through Cambodia, you the trip to the Angkor Wat Temple complex is by far worth the journey. 

Now it’s up to you. Have you visited the site? What do you make of its remarkable construction and size? 

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The classic Inca Trail runs 26 miles (42 km) long, is usually hiked over 4 days and 3 nights and is tucked away in the beautiful Andes mountains in Peru. The entire trail is a site to see, but the end of the trail is a spectacular sight as you reach the ancient ruins of Machu Picchu at sunrise. Whether you catch the train or make the four-day hike, for the best experience, here’s everything you should know about the Inca Trail.  

Hundreds of years ago, a prosperous and powerful civilization way ahead of its time mapped out a network of trails across farmlands, villages, and cultural sites and structures in South America. Now known as the Inca Trail, this pathway established by the once-mighty Inca continues to generate tremendous interest from tourists and anthropology buffs alike, and with good reason. 

After all, the remains of the once-proud Inca empire offer us a glimpse into a lost world that once represented the best of human progress — and tell a fascinating story of a civilization that, despite its considerable resources and advanced knowledge, was unfortunately wiped out by a combination of greed and deadly diseases brought to their doorstep by explorers-turned-conquerors. 

How do I get to the Inca Trail?  

1. The easiest way to get from Cusco to Machu Picchu is to take the train to Aguas Calientes. 
2. Walk the trail (3-4 days): Not for the faint of heart, but definitely worth it. Over the days, you battle steep climbs and steeper descents, lost toenails and broken blisters. You’re guaranteed to curse yourself at least once for not opting to take the train instead. After all, the vast majority of people who visit Machu Picchu don’t take four days to get there.  

Permits are given to 200-300 people per day, so you’ll see many people on the way and likely make new friends.  

Either way, knowing your history will make the experience all the more enriching.  

How Much Will a Trip to the Inca Trail Cost? 

Expect to spend USD 650 per person on this trip; to increase your chances of acquiring a slot, try to book as early as six months ahead of your planned trip. 

The Temples of the Inca Trail 

If it weren’t for the structures and records they left behind, it would have been hard to visualize the Incan society and way of life. 

By a remarkable stroke of luck, however, the Spanish invaders were unable to find the famed Machu Picchu, which stands as one of the few testaments to the Inca civilization in modern times. In fact, it was only in 1911 when archaeologist Hiram Bingham found the mostly untouched citadel, located high up on a mountain ridge above the Sacred Valley. 

The stone steps of the Inca Trail lead to this massive, intricate complex, where various religious structures, residential buildings, and storage areas were built and maintained. 

The main attractions at Machu Picchu’s Sacred District: 

• Temple of the Sun is perhaps the most noteworthy of these attractions. Created for the emperor of the Inca, it served as the platform from which he could give directions to his people regarding their agricultural tasks, based on the seasons. Elevated at about 3,000 meters, it is located atop gigantic stone terraces that were reinforced by stone walls and presents a worthy climbing challenge even to seasoned explorers and adventurous tourists. 

The design of the temple is masterful in that the way the sun hits the stones indicates the departure and arrival of the seasons. For instance, winter was signified by the sun’s light hitting a huge, white stone; when sunlight strikes the other side of the same stone, it signaled the beginning of summer, and was thus a cue for farmers to begin planting once more.  

This revolutionary method of tracking the seasons basically allowed the Inca to provide for an entire population for many, many years. The astonishing thing is that by using modern-day technology, experts were actually able to prove that the Inca were on point in terms of how they predicted their weather and seasonal patterns. 

• Room of the Three Windows may have been built for Inca royalty to serve as their living quarters.  

• Intihuatana stone is believed to have been an early calendar or method of timekeeping.  

Together with the Principal temple, these structures formed the Sacred Plaza, and are among the most impressive showcases of the Inca civilization’s architectural prowess. 

Interestingly, the experts also found that Machu Picchu actually housed many structures that the Inca used for making astronomical observations. 

Astronomy and Religion of the Inca Trail  

Machu Picchu reveals that astronomy was a part of everyday Inca life, particularly in agriculture. According to records, celestial bodies such as the Sun, the Moon, and even the stars were used as their basis in planning their buildings and making important decisions.  

Incan mythology regarded the sky as having magical properties. And like many other ancient civilizations, their religion was closely linked to astronomy. Based on the limited knowledge we have about Inca religion and culture, they worshipped the sun, the moon, the spirits around them, and even thunder. It was this reverence for celestial objects that led them to base practically their entire civilization and lifestyle on the patterns and behavior of these heavenly bodies. 

The Inca believed in the connection exists between all the objects in the physical world, from the celestial bodies to the forest spirits. Thus, they had many rituals and ceremonies revolving around astronomical patterns and cycles.  

One of these was the Sun Festival, which they celebrated for nine days beginning on the sunrise of the winter solstice. This celebration was both an expression of gratitude for a bountiful harvest and a signal that a new season of planting was due to begin. 

Another way in which the Inca revered the stars was by grouping them into constellations. 

When the Inca began to see patterns of animals, heroes, and other significant figures in their culture in the stars in the sky, they came up with the idea that the gods had attributed specific stars to specific creatures, serving as a means of protecting them.  

The Inca practiced a form of knowledge of zodiac constellations. Grouping these stars was tremendously significant for the Inca, due to their deeply religious culture.  

Incan zodiac constellations include:

• Toad (Hanp’atu)  
• Llama (Urcuchillay)  
• Fox (Atoq)  
• Serpent (Mach’acuay)

The patterns that the Inca saw as constellations weren’t just limited to stars, though. They also identified constellations based on the absence of stars in the bright spots of the galaxy. Their religious beliefs revolved around the concept of the animals living within a river up in the cosmos.  

Thus, they felt compelled to trace the patterns formed by the dark splotches on the galaxy as well, even without the use of a telescope. One of the most important constellations to the Inca civilization was Pleiades, a collection of seven extremely luminous stars that marked the start of the Incan calendar cycle. 

How to Travel to the Inca Trail 

There are numerous methods of gaining access to the Inca Trail and the Machu Picchu ruins, but the most popular and convenient method by far is via train up to Aguas Calientes followed by an early-morning bus ride to the site itself.  

However, if you want to get the full experience, you can opt to walk on the Inca Trail itself. Take note, however, that the Inca Trail is closed in February. On top of that, the Peruvian government only allows a maximum of 200 persons per day on the Trail, and passes are issued way in advance. The demand for the Inca Trail is so high that the passes for the entirety of the year typically become sold out within weeks. 

If you can somehow get your hands on a permit (likely through an early reservation), you can hike all the way to Aguas Calientes. From there, instead of taking the bus, you can walk to the site. The advantage of doing this is that you can avail the option of visiting other sites that you otherwise wouldn’t be able to visit if you take the bus.  

Be warned, though. The hike lasts four days and three nights, and you will be subjected to numerous harsh elements as you traverse the entirety of this 43-kilometer (26-mile) journey. You can also forget about taking a bath, as you’ll be on the move as early as 3 AM. 

Conclusion 

It is certainly remarkable to think about how the Inca — a society without access to the modern-day technology we use to advance our understanding of the world around us — could come up with a working system of production that sustained their population and way of life for centuries.  

While their story ended in tragedy and we may never fully understand their civilization, we can at least bask in the glory of the structures they left behind: a reminder that humanity has been receiving guidance from the stars for a long, long time. 

Are you planning to embark on a trip to the Inca Trail soon? Which of the ancient temples and structures were the most remarkable?  

Share your thoughts in the comments section below. 

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However, evidence indicates that the Egyptian pyramids could be between 200 and 1,200 years older, while other evidence suggests they may actually be more ancient. 

Part I: The Egyptian Pyramids  

The three pyramids of the Giza Plateau are named after the three pharaohs who are believed to have ordered them to be built: 

1. Pyramid of Khufu: the biggest pyramid, also known as the Great Pyramid of Giza. 
2. Pyramid of Khafre: the second biggest pyramid. 
3. Pyramid of Menkaure: the smallest of the three, also known as the Lesser Pyramid. 

Pyramid of Khufu 

Khufu was the second pharaoh of the 4th Dynasty of Egypt’s Old Kingdom. He ruled ancient Egypt for about 24 years, from 2589 to 2566 BC. The Great Pyramid, the largest building of the three, is thought to have been built by around 200,000 to 300,000 workers over a 20 year period that ended about 2560 BC.  

For thousands of years it was the tallest building in the world, standing at 146.5 meters, until the Lincoln Cathedral was in England was built in 1311.

Pyramid of Khafre  

The middle pyramid is named after the pharaoh Khafre, who was the son of Khufu. Khafre was the third pharaoh of the 4th Dynasty. The length and timeline of his rule over Egypt is disputed, though was possibly sometime between 2558 and 2532 BC.  

Although it looks slightly bigger than the Great Pyramid, Khafre is actually smaller but its foundation sits 10 meters higher than the larger pyramid.

Pyramid of Menkaure 

The pharaoh Menkaure was the grandson of Khufu and the son of Khafre. He is thought to be the fourth pharaoh of the 4th Dynasty of ancient Egypt, although the records from the Coptic priest Manetho identifies Menkaure as the successor to a pharaoh called Bikheris.  

Different sources give different lengths of time for Menkaure’s rulership; Greek historian Heredotus claimed he ruled for just 12 years, Manetho claimed he ruled for 63 years, whereas most Egyptologists believe his reign lasted 18 years. 

How Old are the Egyptian Pyramids?  

Before the development of modern techniques, Egyptologists originally referred to the King List written by Manetho, who lived sometime in the 3rd century BC. The list details the dates of rulership of Egypt’s first six dynasties, and claims they ruled for a total period of 1,478 years. 

However, the King List was passed down and altered over many generations by Christian, Jewish and other scholars, and so its reliability has been questioned. Different versions of the list exist with different dates for the same pharaohs.  

Then in 1820, Italian explorer Bernadino Drovetti discovered pieces of a papyrus called the Turin King List, or Turin Canon. This list is about a thousand years older than Manetho’s and claims the first six dynasties ruled for only 955 years.  

Although the Turin King List was found in tiny pieces, with more than two thirds of the whole document missing, it is used as the basis for our understanding of ancient Egyptian chronology up until the New Kingdom pharaoh Rameses II.  

Some scholars believe the author of the Turin King List was recording an estimated timeline rather, than it being based on fact (for example, there are three reigns in a row each lasting 24 years.) 

Was the Great Pyramid of Giza a Tomb? 

It is widely regarded as a fact that the pyramids were used as tombs for the pharaohs. However, evidence for this theory is surprisingly small. 

The sheer size and shape of the Giza pyramids is anomalous in comparison to the rest of the Egyptian mastabas, which were rectangular ‘pit and mound’ tombs. For hundreds of years, all mastabas before the three Giza pyramids were built in this rectangular format, and all tombs built after the Giza pyramids, such as those found in the Valley of Kings, also used the rectangular design.  

There are no inscriptions inside to indicate that the pharaohs had anything to do with the pyramids. Additionally, no remains of pharaohs have been found inside any of the pyramids (only of bodies being buried in them much later, such as a young woman buried in Menkaure around 100 BC.) Khufu had his mother buried in an unmarked grave that wasn’t discovered until 1925, probably so it wasn’t desecrated by grave robbers. Why do this and proceed to have himself buried in what was then the world’s tallest building? 

The enormous size of the pyramids would have been likely to attract the attention of potential grave robbers. It was very easy for intruders to enter the pyramid, because a rock covering the entrance apparently just “swivelled open.”  

In the Great Pyramid’s Ascending Passageway, it appears that the builders actually put in extra effort to allow intruders to enter the King’s Chamber. A stone counterweight was left there, thought to have been hung from wooden beams to raise the chamber’s stone portcullis easily; giving would-be intruders access to the room where the pharaoh was supposedly buried. 

Other Egyptian pyramids have been found with sealed sarcophagi that were empty inside, suggesting that they may not have served as tombs. According to Egyptologist J.P. Lepre:  

“The Third Dynasty Pharaoh Huni built a sizable pyramid at Maidum, but it did not contain a sarcophagus. Yet a quite large mastaba located 275 miles to the south at Bet Khallaf did in fact contain a granite sarcophagus, within which were the total skeletal remains of a large man. This mastaba contained the royal name of Huni.”  

Does Radiocarbon Dating of  the Egyptian Pyramids Agree?

Radiocarbon dating was pioneered in 1949 by Willard F. Libby, a professor from the University of Chicago, who actually invented the technique to examine ancient Egyptian structures. The process measures the presence of carbon-14(C14) in organic material. 

All living organisms are made of carbon. C14, an unstable radioactive carbon isotope, has a half life of 5,730 years (meaning it takes 5,730 years for its carbon content to be reduced by half.) When organisms die, C14 begins to disintegrate and because the half life is constant, it can be measured by scientists to determine an approximate date of when that organism was alive. 

Libby obtained some wood found in the 3rd Dynasty Step Pyramid, and estimated that its radioactivity should be half that of C14s original carbon level in accordance with the age that the pyramids were thought to be built. (Libby initially measured the half life of C14 as 5,568 years.)  

In 1984, and later in 1994 and 1995, prominent Egyptologist Mark Lehner and colleagues did further radiocarbon dating on organic material found at the Old Kingdom monuments, as well as material found at the Giza pyramids, which gave them a variety of dates. Analysing the temples and pyramids that had mud, grass, straw and reeds in their structure was a much easier way to obtain datable samples, whereas the stone pyramids presented a tougher challenge with the scarce availability of organic matter. 

Table: Radiocarbon samples obtained by Mark Lehner from the Great Pyramid 

There were some discrepancies between the ages of Khufu and Khafre in the 1994 and 1995 analyses, with Khufu, or the Great Pyramid, having a 400 year difference. So, why the big gap between dates?  

It is possible that the builders of the Giza pyramids reused material from older structures, accounting for a range of dates spanning hundreds of years. (It should be noted that the accepted dates for the 1stEgyptian Dynasty range from 3600 BC to 2900 BC – a considerable variation of 600 years.) 

Problems with Radiocarbon Dating 

The main issue with radiocarbon dating is that it is not an exact science, because the estimated level of C14 an organism is always an assumption; it is therefore not entirely reliable.  

Furthermore, the C14 level only indicates the age that a biological organism died, not when non-organic materials like stones were assembled. The samples taken from the Giza pyramids were extracted from their exterior surface. Some scholars believe the pyramids were built in stages, in which case carbon dating would only provide evidence of when living organisms died on the outermost layers of the buildings. 

Radiocarbon samples taken from the Great Pyramid showed a variation of dates. University of Boston Geologist Robert Schoch has suggested that this wide variety of chronological discrepancies only makes sense if the original Giza pyramids were later renovated. This would explain how later dated samples were found near the top of the pyramid, and it suggests that Khufu and Khafre weren’t the original builders – they just restored the pyramids. 

Given the oldest date of 3809 BC, there is a possibility that the Great Pyramid took as long as 248 years to build. Mark Lehner said: “In short, the carbon dates show, depending on which sample you take, that the [conventional] Egyptian chronology is between 200 to 1200 years off.” 

Part II: Other Dating Techniques 

Finding True North 

The Giza pyramids are 99.97% aligned to true north. 

To read more about this you can read this article: How the Pyramids of Giza were Built?

Where the sun rises is determined by the spin of the Earth’s axis, which is known as true north. True north and true south are found at the North Pole and the South Pole respectively, forming the axis that Earth rotates on. The Magnetic North Pole is measured by the Earth’s magnetic field, which is located on Ellesmere Island in Northern Canada, (500km from the North Pole.) 

The orientation of true north is actually not fixed, but changes as crust shifts occur and physically alter the Earth’s topographical makeup. These alterations of the Earth’s North and South Pole happen very slowly over ages of time. Architects define their orientation by a building’s alignment to true north, or for those in the southern hemisphere, true south. 

Engineer Mario Buildreps analysed 910 ancient structures such as pyramids and temples found over the globe. He discovered that all of them have a collective orientation around a central point in Greenland. According to these findings Greenland may have been originally the Earth’s geographical north pole.  

Magnetic poles may be displaced when Earth’s crust shifts occur during cataclysmic events.  

The Earth’s Shifting Axis 

The layout of these ancient monuments in both hemispheres is completely different, and the vast majority of them are all aligned to true north. The chance of this being a coincidence is zero.  

Image: The current and former positions of the North Pole and aligning structures throughout the world. Source

The odds of this cluster of structures being built to focus around the same point is 1 to 76 Billion. It also suggests a unified reason behind the building of pyramids found around the world. The shift in the North Pole’s position also explains why Greenland is still covered in ice; because not that long ago (in the Earth’s long existence) it was the coldest part of the world, much like the North and South Poles are today. 

According to Buildreps, this indicates that the pyramids are between 4,500 and 26,000 years old, placing them at the time of our current true North Pole’s beginning, before an earth shaking event caused the pole to shift again. 

Archeoastronomy of the Egyptian Pyramids  

Archeoastronomy is the study by archaeologists of how ancient cultures understood the phenomena of the sky. The relative size and location of the three Giza pyramids are thought to mirror the three stars of the constellation Orion’s Belt, and their size is thought to reflect the varying brightness of each of the stars. To the ancient Egyptians, Orion represented the Osiris, the god of the underworld. 

Image: The Giza pyramids appear to be aligned to the constellation of Orion’s Belt. Source

The north and south shafts found in the Queen’s Chamber of the Great Pyramid were discovered to be aligned to Ursa Minor and Sirius respectively. According to engineer and author Robert Bauval, an issue with this alignment is that it would place the building of the pyramids to circa 10,500 BC, when the shafts would have been precisely aligned to Ursa Minor and Sirius. This is known as the Orion Correlation Theory (OCT.) 

A statistical analysis of the Orion Correlation Theory was conducted by professor of maths and physics Dr. Vincenzo Orofino and professor of history Dr. Paolo Bernardini. They concluded:   

“The simplest version of the OCT… is compatible with what expected for the stars of the Orion Belt on the basis of naked-eye astrometry and photometry, as well as of the stellar evolution theory. Furthermore, it is unlikely that the above cited correlation can be fortuitous. Therefore, there are no astronomical /astrophysical and statistical arguments to reject the hypothesis that the main Giza pyramids would be the monumental reproduction on the ground of the Orion Belt.” 

Conclusion 

Today new techniques to analyse human history leads to new understanding of the age of ancient monuments. The Pyramids of Giza could be older than first thought.  

Examine the evidence and allow yourself to come to your own conclusions. There is still much to learn about the pyramids. You might just discover a piece of the puzzle that brings more clarity to this ancient mystery.  

When do you think the Egyptian Pyramids were built? 

Further Reading:  

https://www.environmentalscience.org/how-radiocarbon-14-dating-works 

https://journals.uair.arizona.edu/index.php/radiocarbon/article/viewFile/3874/3299 

https://www.labmate-online.com/news/news-and-views/5/breaking-news/how-accurate-is-carbon-dating/30144 

https://www.academia.edu/7715809/The_Great_Dating_Problem_Part_2_-_Radiocarbon_Dates_and_Early_Egypt 

https://docit.tips/download/ten-facts-that-contradict-the-pyramid-tomb-theory-egyptian_pdf 

https://gisgeography.com/magnetic-north-vs-geographic-true-pole/ 

https://ancientegyptonline.co.uk/pyramid-air-shafts/ 

https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Vincenzo_Orofino 

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Join us, as we explore the ancient mystery; how were the Pyramids of Giza built? 

The 7 Wonders of the Ancient World 

The three pyramids at Giza are the largest of all the pyramids found in Egypt, but they were not the first or the last pyramids to be built in the region. Each pyramid is named after the Old Kingdom pharaohs that are believed to have commissioned them. They are: 

1. The Great Pyramid, or Pyramid of Khufu: built first and is the tallest and largest.  
2. Pyramid of Khafre: the middle sized pyramid, built second and is the next largest.  
3. Pyramid of Menkaure: the smallest, built last. 

Of the seven wonders of the ancient world, the Great Pyramid is the only one still standing. It is unique in that out of 35 pyramids that are built in the region, the Great Pyramid is the only one to have tunnels and vaults above ground as well as underground. The passageways running through the three pyramids are completely blank and lacking in any decoration, hieroglyphics, or inscriptions, apart from some graffiti or engravings left by later visitors.   

The official theory about the purpose of the pyramids is that they were tombs for the pharaohs. Although widely regarded as fact, there has never been sufficient evidence to prove this. 

Were the Pyramids Tombs? 

Beyond the inner architecture of the pyramids, little has been found in the way of artefacts or other remnants that could give us a clue about what went on inside. According to a report from 1818 in the Quarterly Review, the passages and chambers of the Great Pyramid take up 1/7,400th of the space inside, and “there might be three thousand seven hundred chambers, each equal in size to the sarcophagus chamber, [hidden] within.” 

It is thought that if any treasures were kept inside, they were ransacked by tomb raiders a long time ago. Strangely enough, in the case of Menkaure (the smallest pyramid), someone actually broke in and left a mummy there in 100BC, thousands of years after its construction. 

What is Inside the Pyramids? 

1. The Entrance

The entrance to the Great Pyramid is situated 17 meters above ground level, and this short, 1.2 meter high corridor forks off, down a descending passageway into the cavern-like ‘Subterranean Chamber’, and up an ascending passageway to the ‘Grand Gallery.’ 

Image: A look inside the Great Pyramid of Giza.

2. The Descending Passageway & the Subterranean Chamber 

After walking down the inclined descending passageway for about 30 meters, it levels out and leads to the subterranean chamber carved out of the limestone bedrock. It seems to be unfinished, and a passage behind the chamber leads to a dead end. One theory is that it was deliberately left unfinished to symbolise chaos and the underworld. 

The subterranean chamber was unlikely to have housed a sarcophagus because the passage leading to it is too narrow. The fact that the chamber has another passage leading out of it suggests that it was highly unlikely the pharaoh was intended to be buried here, as traditionally his burial always took place in the final room. 

3. Ascending Passageway 

The aboveground passages and chambers in the Great Pyramid were cleverly hidden with fake granite walls disguised as the corridor. The passage leads up for about 40 meters until reaching the ‘Grand Gallery,’ which connects directly to the ‘Queen’s Chamber.’ Further up the steeply inclined gallery is the ‘King’s Chamber.’ Sometime in the 7th century the Muslim ruler, Caliph al-Ma’mun, is recorded as having found the hidden passage up to the aboveground chambers. They found no sign of the pharaoh’s mummy. 

4. The Grand Gallery 

The Grand Gallery is 8.48 meters tall and 47 meters long, and contains some incredible marvels of architecture. A series of square holes run along the gallery floor, with corresponding adjacent holes on the walls, the purpose of which may have been to support wooden beams to build the roof. The acoustics of this room are known to have an incredible harmonic resonance when sound echoes off the walls. 

At one end of the Great Gallery is a 0.7 meter squared opening known as the “Escape Shaft” leading down to near the entrance of the Subterranean Chamber,which may have served as ventilation for the builders or a literal escape shaft in case of an accident. 

5. The Queen’s Chamber 

The Queen’s Chamber, or Middle Chamber, was named by Arab explorers and has nothing to with a queen.  It could have housed a life-size statue of the pharaoh or the pharaoh’s Ka (his astral body or soul.) There are two square 20x20cm shafts in the Queen’s Chamber, one in the north wall, which is in alignment with the star constellation that consists of Beta, Ursa, and Minoris, and another shaft on the southern wall is in alignment with the “dog star” Sirius.  

6. The Shafts 

German engineer Rudolph Ganten Brink sent a robot inside to explore the shafts, to discover that they end in limestone blocking, with a copper plug poking out of the southern shaft. The shafts don’t reach outside, so are unlikely to be airshafts.  

Two more similar shafts are found in the King’s Chamber which do reach outside, but they also may not have been air-shafts because the Egyptians would have been diligent about keeping birds away from the pharaoh’s body if he was buried here. One possibility is that they served as tunnels for the pharaoh’s soul to exit from after death. Whatever the case, these shafts took a considerable amount of work and a comprehensive understanding of friction to construct. 

7. The King’s Chamber 

The King’s Chamber is made from pink granite and is considered a masterpiece of architecture, with a ceiling made of nine blocks adding up to 400 tons to protect the room from the pressure of the pyramid’s weight. In the west wall is the sarcophagus, which is missing its 2 ton lid. If the Great Pyramid was not a tomb this sarcophagus may have served an entirely different purpose. 

What Materials were the Pyramids built from? 

The Great Pyramid is built from an estimated 2.3 million – 2.5 million stone blocks, and spans an area of 13.6 acres. Of these stones, around 144,000 were polished casing stones placed on the pyramid’s exterior, which would have originally given it a bright white exterior. The stones consist of 60% limestone blocks and the rest are pink granite. The stones are so accurately placed together that you can’t poke a razor blade between them. 

The stones for the inner parts of the pyramid were quarried nearby in Giza, but the pink granite used for the King’s Chamber came from 427 miles away in the Aswan quarry. This may have been made possible at the time of construction by the builders diverting the Nile River so they could deliver stones to the site on boats. 

How long did it take to build the Pyramids? 

The Greek Historian Herodotus said that it took 100,000 workers to complete the pyramid, while modern Egyptologists believe it was more likely double or triple that number. The builders were not slaves but skilled craftsmen, volunteers and conscripted workers. It would have taken 20 men approximately 20 minutes to drag one stone from the quarry to the site, equating to 340 stones moved per day.

To read more on the dating of ancient Egypt here’s an article discussing: The Riddle of the Sphinx.

5 Problems with the Theory of How the Pyramids were Built

Problem 1: Copper Doesn’t Cut Granite

The theory put forward by many Egyptologists is that the cutting of the limestone and granite stones was done with copper tools. However, as stone experts have pointed out, granite is too hard to be penetrated by copper, which is comparable to “saying that aluminium could be cut using a chisel fashioned out of butter.” The Moh hardness test determines a mineral’s resistance to being scratched, and granite has a Moh hardness of 6-8. Copper, in comparison, has an Moh hardness of just 3. 

Craftsman Franz Löhner suggests that the Egyptians could have used wrought iron, which has a Moh hardness of 7-8. Wrought iron wedges could have been placed into strategically chiselled holes in the rock, pounded on with a hammer to split the rock along the “cleavage plane,” which would have resulted in smooth and even stone surfaces. However, this still does not explain the extremely high quality of some of the smooth, rounded and perfectly level surfaces at various places throughout Giza. 

Problem 2: The Precision the Stones Were Cut With 

Engineer Christopher Dunn argues that the precision the granite stones were cut with must have been done with more advanced technology than the ancient Egyptians are generally credited with possessing.  

For example, Dunn measured every surface of the sarcophagus found in the King’s Chamber and found that they were all perfectly flat. He said: “It would be impossible to do this kind of work on the inside of an object by hand. Even with modern machinery it would be a very difficult and complicated task!” 

Image: Saw-like cuts, rounded contours and precision edges found near the pyramids.

Problem 3: The Unusual Composition of the Blocks 

Another possibility is that the stones were actually cast using a kind of limestone concrete. Professor Michael Barsoum analysed some of the Giza stones under a microscope and ran other tests to discover that the structure of these stones was reconstituted and the atoms were rearranged, which is unusual for naturally occurring limestone.  

The limestone was mixed with another material (either silicon dioxide or a similar silica-based material), having considerable water content, and contained nanoparticles that prove the limestone could not be natural.  

Problem 4: We Still don’t Know How the Stones Were Lifted  

Using limestone concrete blocks would help to explain how the pyramid was built vertically; stones would have been cast on the ramp, rather than being dragged all the way up, saving much time and energy. This would also explain the uniformity of the bricks and how they were able to be so tightly fitted next to each other. 

How the stones were raised into place is another mystery. Various theories, including the use of ramps, a system of ropes and pulleys, a man powered elevator, kites, and even levitation have been put forward.  

The use of ramps is unlikely for several reasons. A long straight ramp would have eventually taken up more volume than the pyramid itself (and been over a kilometre long at its apex). A ramp would have to have at least partially been built from stone to support the immense weight of the building blocks being transported on it. A ramp that wrapped around the pyramid would have the problem of the workmen needing to drag stones around corners. 

Another theory is that the stones were pulled directly up the faces of the pyramids using sledges made of wood. This is a possibility, although no traces of pulleys, cranes, or some of the other techniques have ever been found; they may have eroded in the proceeding centuries.  

Problem 5: Cardinal and Astronomical Alignments 

Another big mystery is the larger engineering feats of the pyramids of Giza. The pyramids are locked directly to true north. True north is measured by the location of the North Pole. The precision of the pyramids is unmatched (even today!). 

For example, the pyramids are almost perfectly aligned to the true north, being misaligned by only 3 arc minutes (an arc minute is 1/60 of one degree.) That’s less than a 0.06% inaccuracy. In comparison, the Paris Observatory is the modern building most accurately aligned to true north, and is misaligned by 6 arc minutes.  

How did the Egyptians know where true north could be located, and then build the three pyramids to be almost perfectly aligned to it? Engineer Glen Dash conducted an experiment that may provide an explanation.  

In Connecticut in the US, on the day of the autumn equinox in 2016, Dash placed a rod in the ground which cast a shadow over the course of the day that nearly perfectly aligned to east-west. This technique may have been employed by the pyramid builders.  

Technical Ingenuity & Mathematical Precision 

The Giza Pyramids are aligned with an impressive mathematical precision. The foundation of the Great Pyramid is levelled to an accuracy of within half a square inch; by the standards of modern technology this was impossible to achieve until recent decades with the use of lasers. With the inclusion of the now absent capstone, the Great Pyramid would have been 146.59 meters tall; it’s now 138.75 meters tall. The average lengths of its edges are approximately 230 meters.  

The Pyramids, Pi & Phi 

Pi (π = 3.14159265358979…) is the measurement of a circumference of a circle to its diameter. If you divide a circle by its diameter, no matter what the size of the circle is you will always get a measurement close to 3.14. If you take the Great Pyramid’s perimeter (230.36m x 230.36m) and divide it by its original height (146.51m), the resulting number is very close to pi (it’s off by about 0.03%.) 

Length + Width ÷ Original Height = [close to] Pi 

230.3678 + 230.3678 ÷ 146.514 = 3.14464  

Phi (Φ = 1.618033988749895…) a.k.a. the “golden ratio,” or “Fibonacci sequence,” is a number with strange mathematical properties that is found throughout nature, such as in the formation of branches of some trees. Phi can also be found in the Great Pyramid’s structure. By dividing the surface area of the pyramid’s four sides by the area of its base, the number is startlingly close to Phi. 

Surface area of the pyramid’s Four Sides ÷Base Area = [close to] Phi 

85890.69 square meters ÷ 53065.73 square meters = 1,618571 meters 

It has been pointed out that the meter was not invented until much later, in 1799, although it is possible the Egyptians used “integer approximations that achieved the same relationships and results in the design.” Regardless of the intentions of the builders, the result is an incredibly high degree of accuracy in accordance with pi and the phi ratio.  

The Earth and Moon’s diameters can be found in the pyramid’s dimensions. When the Earth is drawn with an equal width of the Great Pyramid, and the moon is placed directly above the Earth, the Pyramid’s apex points exactly to the moon’s centre. This leaves room for two Pythagorean triangles on either side.  

The perfect right angles of the pyramid are Pythagorean triangles. The Pythagorean Theorem (a2 + b2 = c2) dictates that a right angled triangle’s hypotenuse (the side of the triangle opposite the right angle) is equal to the lengths of the right angled sides squared. The theorem was named after the Greek mathematician Pythagoras who wasn’t born until many centuries after the pyramids were built.   

Did the builder’s knowledge of the Pythagorean triangle come from their understanding of the dimensions of the Earth and moon, and did they intentionally encode this knowledge into the pyramids? 

Could we build the Pyramids today? 

To recreate the pyramids today out of granite and limestone blocks would cost billions of dollars but could likely be achieved in much less time than the pyramids were estimated to have been built (over a 20 year period.) One article points out that the concrete to do this job by itself would rack up a bill of $125 million USD.  

However, we still don’t completely understand the methods used, the intention of the buildings, or if there are any undiscovered chambers inside. While we could surely do an excellent job of creating a modern day copy, the unknown elements of the pyramids mean that any recreation wouldn’t be truly faithful to the original, (at least not yet.) 

As more details about the pyramids come to light, we can make better informed theories about how they were built. For the time being, the pyramids of Giza remain ones of the world’s most fascinating mysteries.  

Now it’s up to you. How do you think the Pyramids of Giza were built? Leave your thoughts in the comment section below.  

Further Reading:  

1. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/inside-the-great-pyramid-75164298/ 
2. http://www.cheops.org/startpage/themystery/mystery.htm 
3. https://www.ancientegyptonline.co.uk/khafre-pyramid.html 
4. https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/article/who-built-the-pyramids/ 
5. https://www.thestructuralengineer.info/news-center/news/item/185-did-the-great-pyramid-have-an-elevetor 
6. https://www.cheops-pyramide.ch/khufu-pyramid/stone-cutting.html 
7. https://www.livescience.com/1554-surprising-truth-great-pyramids-built.html 
8. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/what-is-pi-and-how-did-it-originate/ 
9. https://www.goldennumber.net/phi-pi-great-pyramid-egypt/ 
10. https://www.livescience.com/61799-great-pyramid-near-perfect-alignment.html 

The post How Were the Pyramids of Giza Built? 5 Mysteries to Baffle You appeared first on .

Located six miles west of Cairo, close to the Nile River, the Sphinx can be found just southeast of the Great Pyramid of Giza. A breath-taking and wonder of human construction towering over visitors at a height of approximately 66 feet and a length of 240 feet, the Sphinx is one of the largest monoliths in the whole world.  

The Sphinx is a centre point for the pyramids around it and faces east towards the rising sun, forming part of one of the most famous archaeological sites of all time. The feline statue is thought to depict a lion, a solar symbol of strength and power. 

There are many Sphinxes, but none are as large or iconic as the one carved out of the Giza plateau’s limestone bedrock. The full structure of this statue was only fully revealed in the 1930s. Since then, decades of work by Egyptologists, Historians, and Geologists have gone into uncovering the Sphinx’s origin. The official age is recorded at roughly 2494 BC. However, a consensus has never been reached.

A group of scientists believe that the Sphinx dates back to a much earlier, unknown culture. If the Sphinx is significantly older, it challenges much of what we think we know about human history. Was there an advanced culture that existed before modern human civilisation as we know it began?  

The Riddle of the Sphinx could reveal a critical piece of the human origin story.

How was the Sphinx Discovered? 

For millennia, the Sphinx appeared as a giant head popping up through the desert sands. The first record of the Sphinx in modern history is uncertain, but it’s likely that the Romans and Greeks were influenced by the ancient Egyptian’s Sphinx as it featured in those latter culture’s mythologies. 

In 1817, one Captain Caviglia and 160 of his men attempted to liberate the Sphinx, but they couldn’t dig it out fast enough before more sand would spill back into place. Finally, in the late 1930’s, it was Egyptian Archaeologist Selim Hassan and his team who dug the Sphinx out of the sands of the Giza plateau.

What is the Riddle of Sphinx?  

The Sphinx is a being that appears throughout history as a guardian of secret knowledge. In the ancient Greek myth of Oedipus, the Sphinx was a creature with the head of a human, the body of a lion and the wings of a bird. It guarded the entrance to the city of Thebes. Anyone wanting to enter the city had to first answer the Riddle of the Sphinx. If they got it wrong, the Sphinx would strangle and eat them. 

The exact origin of the name Sphinx isn’t known. Some suggest it is related to the Greek word “sphingein,” meaning “to bind” or “to squeeze.” Others suggest the name “Sphinx” was a Greek adaption of the Khemetian (ancient Egyptian) word “shesepankh,” which means “living image.” All names given to the Sphinx came much later than it was actually built.

How Old is the Sphinx? According to the Archeaology

In 1977, American Archaeologist Dr. Mark Lehner was granted access to the Sphinx to map the site with special sensing equipment. He was then able to create the first accurate scale map of the Sphinx. Since then, Lehner has spent most of his career studying the colossal statue. But what about the statue’s age and the reason it was built?  

Lehner, along with most Egyptologists, believes the Sphinx was commissioned by the Pharoah Khafre, and that the head of the Sphinx was shaped in his likeness. Khafre was the son of Khufu, who is thought to have initiated the building of the Great Pyramid of Giza. Khafre reigned over Egypt’s 4th Dynasty, probably between 2,520 and 2,494 BC, (the exact dates are uncertain.) 

Lehner thinks it took around three years to complete with a team of 100 workers. Behind the Sphinx is a causeway leading almost directly to the Pyramid of Khafre, giving the impression that the Sphinx is guarding it, and adding weight to Lehner’s theory.  

In 1910, Archaeologist Uvo Hölscher also thought that the Sphinx must have been built around the same time as Khafre’s pyramid and other monuments. The similarity between the types of limestone blocks that were used to construct the Sphinx and Khafre’s temple, (which are thought to have been taken from the same quarry,) lead Hölscher to this conclusion.

Image: A photo of the partially excavated Great Sphinx, taken sometime around 1878. Source

Why Was the Sphinx Built? 

According to Lehner, the Sphinx was almost certainly a representation of royalty and divinity, associating the pharaoh with the sun and giving him a god-like status. He speculates that the Sphinx Temple, the Sphinx, and Khafre’s Pyramid formed a kind of ancient technology that harnessed solar energy for the purpose of allowing the pharaoh to achieve eternal life when his physical body died. 

Could the Sphinx be older? 

In 1990, a researcher called John Anthony West enlisted the help of Dr. Robert M. Schoch, a Geologist from Boston University, along with a team of Geologists and Geophysicists, to take a closer look at the Sphinx. West came across the theory that water erosion had occurred on the Sphinx.  

The implications of erosion caused by water–in an area that had not seen significant rainfall since before the Sphinx was supposedly built–opened up exciting new questions. West was convinced that the Sphinx must have been older than Lehner suggested; Schoch, on the other hand, was sceptical of this idea.

Image: The patter of erosion as found on the Sphinx’s body and surrounding enclosure. Source

What Caused the Erosion of the Sphinx? 

Upon viewing the erosion on the Sphinx’s body, Schoch was immediately convinced it had to be much older than previously assumed. He described the erosion as having undulating vertical, coved (rounded like a cove) fissures.  

Schoch perceived that this non-inform erosion could only have been caused by the way rainfall falls vertically, eroding the limestone in vertical strips over time. Incidentally, this erosion was found on the body and not on the head (suggesting the head has been re-carved in more recent times.) 

Beyond these surface level observations, Schoch, in collaboration with a Geophysicist named Thomas Dobecki, discovered the same erosion patters below the surface of the bedrock when they conducted seismic experiments. They even found the same kind of erosion beneath newer limestone blocks on the Sphinx that had served as repairs. 

Schoch said:“…my initial estimate [of the Sphinx’s original build] was on the order of several millennia prior to the onset of the current hyperarid Sahara conditions. Using the subsurface seismic data, this estimate is confirmed, I currently am of the opinion that the core body of the Great Sphinx dates back to before the end of the last ice age (that is, before ca. 9,700 BCE.)” 

If the ancient Egyptians didn’t build the Sphinx around 2,500 BC, then who did? At the time, no civilized culture was thought to exist that far back.  

The American Association of Petroleum Geologists agreed with Schoch’s analysis. Two Ukrainian Geologists also published a paper on the weathering of the Sphinx, concluding that the geological data suggested the Sphinx was submerged in water in the Early Pleistocene, “and its initial construction is believed to date from the time of most ancient history.”

Note that the Pleistocene is a geological time period that ended about 11,700 years ago.

Egyptology’s Response to Weathering and Dating of the Sphinx 

Not everyone was in agreement with Schoch. Most Egyptologists were strongly opposed to Schoch’s theory, especially Zahi Hawass, secretary general of the Supreme Council of Antiquities. Hawass argued that the possibility of the Sphinx being that old was impossible because: 

“No single artefact, no single inscription, or pottery, or anything has been found until now, in any place to predate the Egyptian civilization more than 5,000 years ago.” 

As far as we know, this is still true. If this ancient culture did exist, then we’re not aware of any other traces they left. But then again, that doesn’t mean they don’t exist; it could be we just haven’t found them yet. Tens of thousands of years is a long time; long enough to erase almost all trace of a past civilisation, apart from perhaps substantial stone monuments. 

The Evidence and Arguments Against Schoch’s Theory 

Other Geologists had differing opinions to Schoch’s. Rather than erosion on the Sphinx’s body caused by rainfall, Dr. James A. Harrell suggested that a type of weathering called haloclasty could be a significant factor in the erosion.  

Haloclasty happened when saline water–for example from moisture in the air and dew–entered cracks in the limestone, leaving behind salt crystals that expanded when exposed to sunlight and then broke of segments of the limestone rock.  

Schoch agreed that haloclasty occurred at various points around the site, but argued that this mechanism by itself was not enough to account for the high degree of weathering that is evident on the Sphinx’s body and the enclosure it sits in. 

Colin Reader, a British Geologist and secretary of the Manchester Ancient Egypt Society, agreed that the weathering on the Sphinx indicated it was older than the era of Khafre, but only by 500 years, dating its build to be from the beginning of the ancient Egyptian’s first dynasty or slightly earlier than this time.  

Then in 2015, a Norwegian Geoscientist named Jørn Christiansen analysed the weathering of the Sphinx and found evidence suggesting it was caused in places before the Sphinx was actually built. Christiansen stated that carbon dioxide, found in rainwater, creates a carbonic acid that erodes limestone, which could have been responsible for the extensive erosion of the Sphinx.  

He summarized his findings by saying he found no evidence to suggest the Sphinx was built at a later date than the 4th Egyptian dynasty of Khafre. However, Christiansen was unable to make an estimate of the date of the Sphinx’s creation. 

Arguments for an Older Dating of the Sphinx 

Since the 1990s, more and more archaeological evidence is supporting the existence of other advanced civilizations around the time that Schoch is suggesting.

• In 1994, Göbekli Tepe was discovered in south-eastern Turkey, the oldest megalithic structure ever found, dated to be as old as 10,000 BC. The existence of this site adds weight to the prospect that highly advanced prehistoric cultures lived at least 11,000 to 12,000 years ago, even though it is not the same prehistoric culture.    

• Malta is home to 7,000 year old prehistoric temples such as Hagar Qim and Mnajdra that have archaeologists baffled by the accuracy with which they were constructed and their precise astrological alignments, in an age when the wheel hadn’t yet been invented.  

• Other prehistoric sites in Sardinia and Turkey have been unearthed; all contributing to the possibility of earlier advanced prehistoric cultures.

The Sphinx Enclosure 

The Sphinx sits in an enclosure that was carved out, and the resulting blocks from this excavation were then used to make the Sphinx Temple, a nearby structure also attributed to Khafre. Schoch believes the Sphinx was refurbished multiple times and notes that the Sphinx’s rear was carved out much later than the rest of the main body.  

Furthermore, the weathering is only found on the Sphinx’s body and the enclosure around it, not on the statue’s head, and it is these parts that Schoch believes predate ancient Egypt’s Old Kingdom (the first peak of Egypt’s civilization.) 

John Anthony West and Schoch believed that the Sphinx enclosure was built in two stages, and that Khafre renovated the original build, rather than initiating it. The head of the Sphinx appears to be significantly smaller than the body, suggesting that it was re–carved at a later date by someone other than the original builders. 

Archeoastronomy of the Sphinx 

It is generally thought that discovery of the zodiac and precession of the equinoxes were discovered in Ancient Greece.  

However, others argue Egypt was the true source of this astronomical knowledge.

• In Plato’s book the Timaeus, he references Egypt as the source of the ancient Greek’s knowledge of astronomy and mathematics. 

• Mark Lehner cites an astrological alignment between the Sphinx and other nearby monuments as evidence of a conscious design on the part of Khafre and his workers. He noticed that on the vernal and autumnal equinox of every year, the sun sets in such a way that it joins the shadows of both the Sphinx and Khafre’s pyramid.  

• It’s possible to draw a straight line through the Sphinx Temple, the Sphinx, and Khafre’s pyramid. As Lehner observed, the sun mirrors this alignment twice every year on the equinoxes when it sets. The prospect of this alignment being a coincidence seems slim. 

• In the temple of Hathor, part of a complex of temples in Upper Egypt, a calendrical bas relief known as the Dendera Zodiac was discovered. The Dendera Zodiac is a map of the stars depicted in a disc with 36 zodiac like animals, one for every ten days. Animals familiar to the zodiac we know today can be seen on it, including a ram (Aries), a bull (Taurus), a pair of scales (Libra) and a scorpion (Scorpio). 

• Nabta Playa, a region 500 miles south of Cairo, contains stone circles with precise astrological alignments, including the precession of the equinoxes. The site has been dated to 8,000 BC, adding credibility to the possibility of an advanced prehistoric culture in the area.  

During the vernal equinox, the Sphinx’s head lines up closely with the rising sun. The precession of the equinoxes  is a 26 000 year cycle. 

Could the Sphinx be a marker of these larger spans in time?  

Conclusion 

The debate over the Sphinx’s age and origin continues to this day. The official standpoint is that it was built around 2500 BC by the dynastic Egyptians. However, experts of various fields on both sides of the debate still argue over the truth of the issue.  

While we have plenty of theories and estimates, we do not know for certain what happened in humanity’s distant past, and we have only glimpsed a small part of this complex subject here. 

Was it the ancient Egyptians who built the Great Sphinx, or a much older, highly advanced culture? 

Is the silent Sphinx–staring eastward to the Egyptian horizon–the last artefact of a lost culture? 

Only you can decide.  

We are still searching for answers to these timeless questions, and we are still discovering exciting new pieces to the puzzle. 

Follow the Riddle of the Sphinx with us. Leave your thoughts in the comment section below.

Further reading: 

• https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/uncovering-secrets-of-the-sphinx-5053442/ 
• http://gizamedia.rc.fas.harvard.edu/documents/lehner_treasures_172-189.pdf 
• www.math.nus.edu.sg/aslaksen/gem-projects/hm/0102-1-pyramids/page03.htm 
• http://mgu.bg/geoarchmin/naterials/64Manichev.pdf 
• Origins of The Sphinx by Robert M. Schoch, PhD & Robert Bauval 
• https://www.geoexpro.com/articles/2015/01/the-great-sphinx-of-egypt-nature-s-shabby-chic-trick 
• https://r.schillerinstitute.org/fidelio_archive/2004/fidv13n04-2004Wi/fidv13n04-2004Wi_052-astronomy_of_the_great_pyramid.pdf

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With a reign marked by peace and prosperity and a final resting place possessing an undeniably great visage, Hatshepsut was all but destined to be immortalized among the great pharaohs of Egypt. 

Queen Hatshepsut’s story isn’t that straight forward.

Her accomplishments and legacy were close to being lost in the sands of time. Were it not for the relentless pursuit of scholars, the Hatshepsut Temple could have remained hidden and buried forever.

Why would the Egyptian people want to wipe the Hatshepsut Temple from the history books?

Let’s explore the full story.

Where is the Hatshepsut Temple?

Image: A side on aerial view of the stunning Hatshepsut Temple. Source

Located on the western bank of the Nile (or in Western Thebes, the great capital of Egypt during the New Kingdom), this is one of the most beautiful Egyptian burial tombs.  

The terraces were different then, with gardens of frankincense trees and other rare plantings brought from Punt, a place that appears in painted reliefs decorating the walls of one of the colonnades.

How to get to the Hatshepsut Temple 

Image: A front on aeriel view of the temple.

One of the best ways to arrive at Hatshepsut is walking from the Valley of the Kings over the mountain pass. Few people know of and use the trail. The half hour walk is well worth the effort and the views on the final approach are superb. Looking down on the Temple below, the people look tiny, like swarming ants.

Arriving in this way, you are able to see how the Hatshepsut Temple is built into the rock cliffs that tower above. You see the surrounding area of the west bank of the Nile. 

Go prepared, wearing walking footwear with good support. Also take plenty of water as it can get hot. A hat, sun glasses and sun screen are suggested.

The History of the Hatshepsut Temple 

Hatshepsut (1479-1458 BCE) was the eldest daughter of Thutmose I and his Great Wife, Ahmose. As part of the standard practice of Egyptian royalty, she was married to her half-brother, Thutmose II, and achieved the rank of God’s Wife of Amun. In those times, that was the highest attainable honor for an Egyptian woman after the rank of Queen. 

When Thutmose II died, his son with his lesser wife Isis (named Thutmose III) was still a child. Thus, Hatshepsut became the queen, meant to hold the position and make decisions until Thutmose III came of age.  

Things took a different turn, though, when Hatshepsut decided that she could do the job just as well as any man could. Thus, she had herself crowned the Pharaoh of Egypt, ruling over the nation for over 20 years. 

As it turned out, Hatshepsut was correct. Based on historical records, Hatshepsut’s reign was characterized as a peaceful and prosperous one, with a healthy economy and trade relations, a decent employment rate, and numerous projects for public works to enhance Egyptians’ quality of life. On top of that, she made sure that their military forces were at peak performance and ever-prepared for war. 

Hatshepsut did everything in her power to make her reign successful — to ensure that her legacy would be worth preserving. And she certainly didn’t waste time making sure that it would get preserved, even long after she was gone.

From Amun to Mentuhotep: The Temple’s Mythology 

Image: Queen Hatshepsut was one of the first female rulers of Egypt. Source

Among the typical misconceptions about ancient Egypt is the depiction of Egyptian slave drivers forcing Hebrew slaves to build temples, pyramids, and other great structures.  

However, experts say that the labor force at the time was actually comprised of Egyptian workers, both skilled and unskilled, who were paid a day’s wage. In other words, the incredible landmarks left behind by the ancient Egyptians were built with Egyptian hands working together. 

To preserve her good name and accomplishments, Hatshepsut had her final resting place made by her workers at Deir el-Bahri, located on the west bank of the Nile river. She instructed them to model the mortuary temple after the one that belonged to Mentuhotep II, the founder of the 11th Dynasty and initiator of the Middle Kingdom of Egypt. Mentuhotep’s temple bore the look and feel that Hatshepsut was aiming for, but the queen wasn’t interested in copying it. Instead, she wanted it to be bigger and grander. 

Hatshepsut’s aim was less about honoring someone else, though, and more about raising her own profile and beefing up her accomplishments. She knew that she had to work hard at preserving her legacy, given her status as a woman leader; making her final resting temple much bigger and more beautiful than anything anyone had ever seen before was pretty high on the list.

An Egyptian Temple of High Design 

Image: A pillar inside the temple representing Queen Hapshepsut herself.

The commission of the temple occurred briefly after she assumed the role of pharaoh in 1479 BCE. True to Hatshepsut’s specifications, her steward and possible lover Senenmut made sure to mirror each aspect of Mentuhotep II’s temple. Hers would be on a grander, more elegant scale.  

From the stone ramp to the archways, from the statues of lions by the entrance to the paintings that adorn the temple’s walls, Hatshepsut’s temple made everything bigger and better.

Without a doubt, Hatshepsut went to great lengths to prove her status as the rightful ruler of Egypt and legitimize her claim to the throne. One of the steps she took was to propagate the story of her divine creation, which portrays Amun or Ammon, the so-called King of the Gods, as her real father. 

An Archaeological and Astronomical Wonder 

Aside from depicting the myth of her divine conception, the temple also represented a few key departures from the prevailing design standards at the time. 

It is said that Hatshepsut’s temple was the closest attempt at classical architecture ever accomplished by an Egyptian structure. Highlighting her accomplishments while paying tribute to the gods, Hatshepsut’s temple featured linear axiality, making it truly a sight to behold. 

Interestingly, the temple’s main and axis were designed to align to the winter solstice sunrise. The builders also made it so that sunlight would be able to penetrate the innermost chamber via a lightbox within 41 days on either side of the solstice. 

They designed the rear wall of the chapel so that when the sun’s rays pierced through it, they would highlight the Osiris statues along the entrance to the second chamber. The temple also had another lightbox that was designed to project the sunlight from a statue of Ammon to Thutmose III’s kneeling form to the depiction of Hapi, the god of the Nile.  

The controversy of Hatshepsut and Thutmose III

As the stepmother of Thutmose, no one quite knows why she usurped Thutmose’s reign. While she reigned for 20 peaceful years, it appears there was an air of bitterness for the replaced boy pharoah.

While Hatshepsut led Egypt, her stepson Thutmose III was leading their armies. Appointed by the Queen as the military’s supreme commander, Thutmose III would go down in history as one of Egypt’s greatest military leaders. 

However, after Thutmose III’s victory at the Battle of Megiddo in 1457 BCE, something strange happened. All of a sudden, Hatshepsut’s name was seemingly expunged from Egypt’s history, and all of her accomplishments as queen were attributed to Thutmose III, who had the records doctored to show that he became pharaoh after his father’s death, not Hatshepsut. 

This was a peculiar development, as there seems to be no record of any estrangement or animosity between Thutmose III and his stepmother. Historians suggest that this may have been an attempt on Thutmose III’s part to erase the notion that a woman became pharaoh and was actually successful at it.  

According to them, this may have been prompted by his desire to maintain the longstanding tradition of male Egyptian rulers, which Hatshepsut’s ascension to power broke.

Hatshepset Removed From the Egyptian History 

Aside from striking her name from historical records, Thutmose III also had Hatshepsut’s monuments destroyed and dumped near her temple. 

Based on ancient Egyptian beliefs, though, a person must be remembered here on the physical plane for them to be able to continue their journey in the afterlife.  

Thus, this was a serious blow not just to Hatshepsut’s legacy, but also to whatever was waiting for her beyond life, according to Egyptian society’s tenets. (As Hatshepsut was not buried in her temple but in the Valley of the Kings, the circumstances of her death — an abscess after a tooth extraction gone wrong — would only be brought to light long after the discovery of her forgotten temple; in 2006 CE, to be precise.) 

A Temple Rediscovered,  A Legacy Restored 

It would take centuries before Hatshepsut’s name and legacy would get unearthed from the sands of time. In the mid-19th century CE, the destroyed statues were found. However, nobody knew how to read hieroglyphics at the time, meaning that Hatshepsut’s name would remain in obscurity for a bit longer. 

Eventually, the efforts of numerous scholars paid off, and they discovered that the hieroglyphics were actually pictorial representations of words. A French scholar named Jean-Francois Champollion would later realize that the temple actually contained references to a female ruler, which did not match Egyptian historical records. 

Now that her accomplishments have come to light, Hatshepsut has claimed her rightful place in history as one of Egypt’s most successful rulers. While the original architecture of Hatshepsut’s temple has been modified with reconstruction efforts, kings who succeeded her also patterned their own temples after hers. 

Thanks to the efforts of archaeologists, Hatshepsut’s legacy lives on, as does the story of the family feud surrounding first female Egyptian Pharaoh. 

Have you visited the temple?

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Further reading: 

• https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/destinations/africa/egypt/luxor-temple-of-hatshepsut-theban-necropolis/ 
• https://www.ancient.eu/article/1100/the-temple-of-hatshepsut/ 

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