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Pyramids of Giza

The oldest of the ancient wonders of the world. 

     Many mysteries shroud the largest structure of the ancient world. The Great Giza pyramids stand tall and grand as they rise out of the Libyan Desert. The largest of the three was made for Pharaoh Khufu, the second was by his son, Khafre and the third smallest for Menkaure, the son of Khafre. These are things that archeologist and Egyptologist have discovered through countless excavation and research. Yet, even though the pyramids have been studied for many
years and there are accounts, such as from Herodotus in 450 B.C., the pyramids still have many controversies. Many of these controversies include quarrels on how they were constructed, how the materials were moved and precisely what were they built for. 

     The pyramids were formed by a few different materials which include; limestone, white limestone, granite and basalt. Limestone was from the Giza plateau and the white limestone was from Tura. Limestone is made by living organisms as they compact on the seafloor and by evaporation. Evaporation occurs when water containing calcium carbonate evaporate and create the sedimentary composition which collects to form limestone. Iron tools would have been needed to cut these materials. Around 500 B.C. Herodotus claimed 100,000 people worked on the pyramids, and that these people were slaves. Today scientists believe it was less than 30,000 and they were paid laborers, some even masons and artisans. These claims strike controversy and bring to question the claims of 500 B.C., which leads to wonder how these original theories were projected. Of the 30,000 workers, it is estimated 4,000 were primary workers (quarry workers, haulers and masons) and 1620,000 secondary workers (ramp builders, tool makers, and services like food and clothes). 2025,000 worked full time for 20 years. Almost all the people who worked on the pyramids also died there. Numerous bodies have been excavated and reveal that most people died around 3035 years old. Archeologist recently have also discovered the buried remains of the building that were around the pyramids, these building would have been the towns set up for the labors. It is assumed that since the pyramids took 20 years or more to build, and the workers died in their 30s that almost everyone who worked on the Pyramids also died for them. Yet, for that time, mid 30s was a common life expectancy. The pyramids were to preserve the pharaohs who were viewed as gods, and therefore needed a monument in order for them to have a safe passage to the other side. It has also been theorized that they were used as an astronomical observatory, a sundial and a ritual location, just to name a few.

     The mysteries of the pyramids do not just include the transportation of the materials, or even why the pyramids were built, but rather how they were built. There has been much research on how the stones were moved, but another mysterious topic is how, engineering wise, the pyramids structures were made. The Egyptians did not have the vehicle, tools or even planning technology that exist today. Yet, the horizontal edge of the pyramids floor from one edge to the
other is straighter than what you would even find in one room today. How the pyramids were built becomes even more questionable when its relation to the stars is observed. The pyramids lay only 3.4 minutes off from due north. There has even been theory that continental drift has actually moved the pyramids off 3.4 arcminutes from being exactly due north. Since the pyramids are thousands of years old, it is likely that continental drift has moved the pyramids in a way that made them not as due north of their original location. These monuments would have been an essential part of their society to apply so much effort in not only the Pyramids of Giza, but the hundreds of pyramids in Egypt and Valley of Kings.
     The pyramids were built around 2550 BC and are about 4,570 years old. While it is estimated to have taken 20 years to build just one of the pyramids, it took thousands of years of erosion and theft of the white limestone, to look like it does today. Along with wind, theft and elemental damage, tourist have been known to be a problem for not only the pyramids of Giza, but many other pyramids. The dangers the pyramids face go much deeper than just stating its tourist and environmental issues. These issues are not only affecting the pyramids, but the area around them as well. Since the city of Giza is located so close to the Pyramids, light pollution has caused blockage of the sky from view. This has not caused damage to the pyramids, but it has affected the location. Pollution in that area, which include water, air and noise, have affected that location. Pollution has not been seen in affecting the pyramids themselves, but a rise in pollution could mean change in the exterior of the pyramids. Acid in precipitation has harmful effects on materials such as limestone, which is what the pyramids are made out of. The acid could affect the limestone with dissolution and alteration. This happens when the sulfuric and nitric acids in the pollution combine with the calcite found in the limestone. This, along with wind, has led to the dissolving of the pyramid surfaces and monuments in the area.
     Tourists have affected the monuments in a variety of ways. Tourists have been known to climb on top of structures in order to take pictures. While this may provide a better picture, it also has the chance to ruin the monuments themselves. Moisture is something that can easily affect the limestone of the building, when someone is in a corridor or any interior of the pyramid, air can easily get trapped, and therefore, the moisture. The moisture after tourist exposure was up to 80% after just a few minutes of the tourists being in the pyramids. This high moisture levels, and other tourists destruction, has led to the pyramids now only being able to be seen from outside the pyramids. Other than some archaeologists and egyptologists, no one is allowed in anymore.
     Dr. Zahi Hawass is the current director of the Giza Pyramid excavations and the former Egyptian Minister of Antiquities and Director of Excavations at Giza, Saqqara, Bahariya Oasis, and the Valley of the Kings. He has made many discoveries including the Tombs of Pyramid Builders, as well as many other pyramids. He also has led expeditions and is known for the discoveries of hidden passages within the Great Pyramids and the statutes under the Nile River. His main research project is the EMP (Egyptian Mummy Project), which is tasked with preserving mummies and discovering more about them. Hawass is interested not only in the new discoveries of the pyramids and artifacts, but also the conservation of the pyramids themselves. Much of the research on the pyramids has pertained around mummies, hidden passages, and discovering other pyramids, which he has helped with in the past. The showing of Tutankhamen and other exhibitions around the world has brought millions to Egypt, which has been used in order to conserve and give money towards research of the pyramids. This in turn has promoted the study in these areas. With Dr. Hawass’ help, more money has been put to researching the areas around the pyramids, something not as widely cared for before, and into preserving the condition of the pyramids.
     Everyday, more is being discovered about the pyramids. The mysterious that cover the pyramids are getting exposed everyday, as new discoveries are found and technologies are being used in the research. The pollution and tourism that has damaged the pyramid has also led to them being restricted. In order to not only preserve these ancient monuments, but to preserve the knowledge that is learned from them, restoration projects should be promoted more, and laws should be set to limit the pollution in the Giza area. People like Dr. Hawass have greatly increased the awareness to protect these great monuments, but more conservation should be made and knowledge should be shared on how great the pollutants are affecting them.

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