It is widely believed that Ancient Egypt was a highly advanced civilization, but many people are unaware of the mystery and theories surrounding this ancient civilization. Ancient Egyptians built pyramids with precise measurements to align them with constellations in the sky. Evidence suggests these buildings were used for more than just burial tombs; there is much speculation about their use as astronomical devices, temples or even as observatories. The Ancient Egyptian society has fascinated us for centuries, from how they lived to what their beliefs were and why they chose to build such incredible structures like the Sphinx and Pyramids of Giza.
Pyramids of Giza
The Ancient Egyptians built pyramids to serve as grand tombs for their pharaohs. The size and shape of the pyramid would vary depending on how wealthy the ruler was, with some being smaller than others. Egyptologists are still not sure why they were built in a step-like form rather than smoothly sloped like other Egyptian monuments; this has led to many theories around what purpose the pyramids served.
One theory is that they were built for religious purposes, while another suggests it was to serve as a tomb or monument showing off their power and wealth. Ancient Egyptians would have climbed up the side of these monuments in order to get onto flat surfaces on which ceremonies could be carried out.
There are three pyramids on the Giza plateau, these being The Great Pyramid of Khufu (also known as Cheops), and a couple of smaller ones which were built for his son and grandson. Ancient Egyptian pharaohs believed that their life would continue in the afterlife with all their power and dignity preserved – they wanted their power to last, so pyramids were built as a symbol of this.
Khufu’s Pyramid is made up of about 280 million limestone blocks which would have been transported from nearby quarries and dragged into place. Ancient Egyptians didn’t use wheels because the sand in their country was too soft to make it stable enough for them to be efficient.
The Sphinx
The Sphinx, along with the pyramids, is considered to be one of the Ancient Wonders Of The World. It is said to be built in 2600 BC (although other theories exist pushing the date back much further) and sits on a plateau which itself stands at 130 meters above sea level, making it visible from many miles away. It’s frequently thought that the sphinx is part lion and part human; this depiction can be seen in many Ancient Egyptian temples.
The Sphinx is often seen as a symbol of Ancient Egypt, but it also has links to Ancient Greece and Rome. It was originally seated with its paws on the ground (although this may have been what might be called an optical illusion), while some modern day depictions show the sphinx sitting with both human and lion body.
The Ancient Egyptians saw the sphinx as a guardian, protecting them from other Ancient Civilizations who may have wanted to invade their land and steal their secrets of immortality. It’s also thought that it was originally intended to be placed in front of the entrance to Khufu’s Pyramid on his burial site at Giza.
The Pyramids and Sphinx Constellation Connections
The pyramids and sphinx are a mystery for many, but it is the Ancient Egyptians who have been able to solve their secrets. The Ancient Egyptians created monuments that had astronomical alignments with stars from Orion’s Belt to constellations of Ursa Major (Great Bear) and Draco (Dragon). There are four key places in Ancient Egypt where Ancient Egyptians made these astronomical alignments:
– The Great Pyramids of Giza
– The Sphinx at the base of the pyramids
– Abu Simbel Temple south of Aswan
– The Temples in Abydos, Upper Egypt.
The Sky’s Creator God was called Re or Ra and he became known as Orion, the Ancient Egyptians had a complete understanding of astronomy and they were also able to make predictions about when certain stars would rise.
The pyramids of Giza, the Sphinx and other ancient structures are a wonder to contemplate. But as we continue our exploration into these old civilizations and their mysteries, new theories come up that make us question how much about them is really known at all. And if you’ve ever wondered why this civilization may have been so advanced in astronomy with evidence such as alignments between buildings or stars on Earth, there may be another explanation for it than what was previously thought – one that goes back even further! I have always been so curious about Egypt and learning about this time in history just makes me want to dig deeper; I hope you feel the same way too!