To the Greeks, the Great Pyramid of Khufu was considered one of the seven wonders of the world.  Khufu (Cheops to the Greeks) ruled about 2589-2566 BC.  After his death, he was entombed in a pyramid that is astonishing for both its size and mathematical precision.

Originally, the Giza Pyramids were encased in lighter limestone that must have gleamed in the harsh Egyptian sun.  Unfortunately this wonder was taken away for the building of other buildings in Cairo.

The first scientist known by name today is an architect of the name Imohtep, who lived more than 5000 years ago.  Scientists also know the names of other Egyptian architects, scientists, and mathematicians.  Such men would include the scribe Ahmes.

The Great Pyramid of Khufu, built around 3,000 B.C., used about 2,300,000 huge stone blocks, of about 7 million tons in total.

The ancient Egyptians played a game like bowling using large stones set up as pins and small stones as a ball.

Stones were often used as pillows in ancient Egypt.

The pyramid shape might have represented the sun's rays which the dead king would use as a ramp to the after life.  Or, it may have symbolized a primordial mound from which the Egyptians believed the world was created.

The age and purpose of the Great Sphinx are debated, but it is believed that it is part of Khafre's pyramid's layout.

The Ascending Passage

The Grand Gallery

This is a picture of the passage way to Khufu's  chamber(above left).The other is a picture of the Grand Gallery.

The King's Chamber in the heart of the Great Pyramid holds the now empty stone sarcophagus.  Huge granite blocks line the walls of this chamber.

The earliest known standard of weight is the beqa, an ancient Egyptian unit equalling from less than 0.5 ounce to 7.5 ounces. It is still generally used in the weighing of precious metals, gems, and stones in troy weight.

In order to stop flies from landing on him, Pepi II of Egypt always kept several naked slaves nearby whose bodies were smuthered with honey.

The pyramids of Egypt, the oldest of the seven wonders of the ancient world, are the only one of those wonders to survive today.