The pyramids of Egypt have long fascinated tourists from all over the world. Here are 5 little-known facts about these iconic structures that will surely surprise you.
Egypt Tours: Escape the Ordinary
Are you looking for an Egypt tour experience unlike any other? At Travel Joy Egypt, we strive to craft custom Egypt tour packages that help travelers escape the ordinary and discover the extraordinary hidden gems this incredible country has to offer.
Pyramids Were More Than Just Tombs
While the pyramids are undoubtedly tombs for pharaohs and queens of ancient Egypt, they also served religious purposes. The design of Egyptian pyramids reflects the pharaoh’s role as a god-king and his resurrection into the afterlife. The shape of the pyramid itself represents the Ben Ben, a primordial mound from which the sun rose at the start of creation.
Great Pyramid at Giza is the oldest:
The oldest and largest of the Giza pyramids is the Great Pyramid, also known as the Pyramid of Khufu. It is considered one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Construction began around 2560 BC and was completed around 2540 BC, making it over 4,500 years old!
Pyramids weren’t always smooth:
Ancient Egyptians didn’t always build pyramids with smooth, paved granite. The earliest pyramids had irregular stone casings that left a jagged appearance. Later pyramid builders worked to achieve a smoother finish. However, time has worn away the outer casings of many pyramids to reveal their rough inner cores.
Pyramids were brightly painted:
Contrary to popular belief, the pyramids were not plain monotonic structures. Using advanced spectral imaging, archaeologists have discovered that the Great Pyramid of Giza was originally encased in bright limestone and decorated with carvings. It’s believed they were painted in various colors with geometric patterns and hieroglyphs.
Not all pharaohs had pyramid tombs:
While the most famous pharaohs of Egypt’s Old, Middle and New Kingdoms were buried in pyramid complexes, later pharaohs opted for less conspicuous tombs. Examples include rock-cut tombs in valleys for pharaohs of the New Kingdom like Hatshepsut and hidden tombs for Ptolemies in the Valley of the Kings.
5 Reasons to Book an Egypt Tour with Travel Joy
- Expert local guides with insider knowledge
- Authentic cultural experiences off the beaten path
- 24/7 multilingual customer support
- Safe, reliable transportation
- Flexible custom itinerary planning
Book the perfect Egypt tour today by contacting one of our Tour Consultants. They can help tailor a package to suit your interests, budget and travel dates.
