The Great Pyramids of Giza are amongst the most famous Seven Wonders of the Ancient World that still stand today. First discovered in modern times by Sir William Matthew Flinders Petrie in 1880.
The pyramids, built during the frenetic period between 2490 and 2560 B.C. are now located in modern times in the city known as Greater Cairo, Egypt. Markings within the temple indicate that the Great Pyramid was built as a burial site for the Egyptian monarch Khufu. The Great Pyramids of Giza once held the title of the tallest structure on earth for many thousands of years, being estimated to have been over 480 feet tall when originally built long before it's outer casings had been lost to the elements. The outside exterior as seen today is actually the underlying core structure as this pyramid was once fully covered in limestone casings.
The largest of the pyramids is known as the Great Pyramid of Giza; dully entitled the Pyramid of Khufu or Pyramid of Cheops, it's the oldest pyramid with elaborate burial chambers built witn-in. Three chambers are located within the The Great Pyramid, the lowest is cut into the bedrock at the Pyramid's foundation and remains unfinished. Above lies the King and Queen's burial chambers.
On site of the Giza Necropolis are also smaller pyramids built for Khufu's wives, additional mortuary temples, mastaba tombs, ship building facilities, connecting causeways and Sphynx Gaurdian at one entry. Khufu's daughter Nefertiabet as well is buried on site along with his wives and many other relatives. It's said that the pyramids original wealth's were emptied centuries before being re-opened in modern day.
Recently in 2015 an ancient document was uncovered by archeologists, known to be the oldest papyrus in the world. The Tallet Papyrus was found in a series of 30 ancient caves located in Wadi al-Jarf near the Red Sea. This location is very far from any known city, perhaps aiding it's survival over so many centuries. The team accredited with the discovery is composed of French and Egyptian archaeologists, who after years of excuvations located several ancient papyrus scrolls. Written upon these scrolls in hieratic and heiroglyphs are stories accounting the adventures of a worker named Merer, who worked to deliver construction materials to the great pyramid building site as it was built. Today the discovery is known as the Tallet Papyrus.
This ancient writing, being more than 4,500 years old is now the oldest writing on earth and was found in relatively good condition. It provides a glimpse into The Fourth Dynasty of Old Egypt and is the only known supporting document relating to building the Great Pyramid of Giza.
The Tallet papyrus details how the giant slabs of limestone were delivered to the pyramids building sites, which details have long remained illusive. Merer's accounts have indicated that the limestone slabs were actually carried across the Nile through canals and then rolled on special tracks. The writing also describes how copper was mined in Wadi al-Jaraf and used to make stone cutting tools for the project. Inscriptions at the excavation site provide detail that the pharaohs of the times sent thousands of workers in search of copper, turquoise and other valuable materials for their projects. Most treasures have long since been lost to the test of time, however the pyramids still attract the attentions of our worlds people today.
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