The Great Pyramids of Egypt

Lesson Plan - Get It!

Audio:

The Seven Wonders of the Ancient world is a list of ancient structures, compiled for their remarkable beauty and ingenuity.

Take a look at the following video to learn what these seven ancient wonders were. As you view WORLD AHOY Animation Series Ep 01 "The Seven Wonders of the Ancient World", think about why the structures mentioned in the video were selected for the list:

Next, continue this lesson by exploring the only wonder of the list of the Seven Wonders that is still in existence: the Great Pyramid of Giza.

The Great Pyramid of Giza is the oldest, and the only one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World that still exists today. The pyramid is located on the west bank of the Nile River, in the northern part of the city of Cairo. Take a look at the map below to locate the city of Cairo, Egypt.

• Can you name the continent it is located on?

If you guessed Africa, then you are correct:

Take a look at the image below that depicts the Great Pyramid of Giza.

• What do you observe in the picture?
• What shape is the pyramid?
• What can you say about where the pyramid is built?

The Great Pyramid of Giza is part of a group of pyramids that also includes the Great Sphinx and other burial tombs. This complex of structures is formally known as the Giza Necropolis. Observe the image below that shows the three main pyramids of the Giza Necropolis.

• Which one of the pyramids in the image do you think is referred to as The Great Pyramid of Giza?

Share your guess with your parent or teacher:

The Great Pyramid of Giza is also known as Khufu, or Cheops in Greek. It is believed to be composed of more than two million stone blocks, each weighing between two and thirty tons. Take a closer look at the stone blocks used to build the pyramid in the following images.

• How do you think the early Egyptians were able to move them?

• Why was the Great Pyramid of Giza built?

Khufu was built as the burial place for the Egyptian Pharoah, Khufu.

No one really knows how the pyramids were built. Some theories suggest that Egyptian engineers may have used wooden ramps to lift the heavy stone blocks.

The interior of the pyramid consists of three main chambers. They include the King's Chamber, the Queen's Chamber, and the Grand Gallery.

The King's Chamber is located at the highest point of the pyramid, and contains a large sarcophagus. It is believed that the King's Chamber once contained many treasures before they were stolen by grave robbers more than a thousand years ago. This remarkable structure was once considered to be the tallest building in the world — that is, until a spire was built onto the Lincoln Cathedral in England, around 1300 A.D.

Take a closer look at this remarkable structure by viewing Uncovering the ancient secrets of the Great Pyramid | 60 Minutes Australia. As you view the video, make brief notes of what aspects of the pyramid you find most interesting. Share your notes with your parent or teacher at the conclusion of the video:

• Were there any features that surprised you about the pyramid and its location?

Continue learning about this intriguing structure by completing a brief descriptive essay in the Got It? section.