The Great Pyramid
Outline
Thesis Statement: The Great Pyramid is a mystery to the modern age, even though its purpose; uses, history, and condition have challenged explorers for centuries it will always be considered one of the greatest wonders of the world. 1. Why was the Great Pyramid built?
A. Who built the Great Pyramid?
B. Why was it built?
C. Comparative theories.
2. What was the Great Pyramid used for?
A. Religious uses.
B. Astronomical uses.
C. Environmental uses.
3. How was the Great Pyramid built?
A. Workers.
B. Dimensions.
C. Surrounding community.
Why the Great Pyramid of Giza was built is a question that has been challenging archeologists, philosophers, and historians for hundreds of years. What we do know is that the Egyptians built it during the fourth dynasty under the rule of King Khufu in the area known as Giza. (i) The amount of people that it took to build such a massive structure has been the subject of dispute for hundreds of years. The Greek historian Herodotus believed that it took one hundred thousand workers over a twenty-year period to build the great pyramid, but recent archaeologists using modern calculations believe that the pyramid was built by four thousand primary laborers and sixteen to twenty thousand secondary workers but also over a twenty year time period. (ii) There are many competing theories on why the great pyramid was built, none of them are definite but all of them are interesting. Many other pyramids have been built in the Middle East but none of the same stature. Other pyramids have been found to be burial chambers for various kings and pharaohs, but the Great Pyramid contained no burial remnants even though its essential design is the same as other pyramids, even containing special chambers for a king and a queen. (iii) Modern day scientists have discovered many interesting correlations between the location and dimensions of the Great Pyramid, that relate to the earth, the stars, and the seasons. (iv)
Thesis Statement: The Great Pyramid is a mystery to the modern age, even though its purpose; uses, history, and condition have challenged explorers for centuries it will always be considered one of the greatest wonders of the world. 1. Why was the Great Pyramid built?
A. Who built the Great Pyramid?
B. Why was it built?
C. Comparative theories.
2. What was the Great Pyramid used for?
A. Religious uses.
B. Astronomical uses.
C. Environmental uses.
3. How was the Great Pyramid built?
A. Workers.
B. Dimensions.
C. Surrounding community.
Why the Great Pyramid of Giza was built is a question that has been challenging archeologists, philosophers, and historians for hundreds of years. What we do know is that the Egyptians built it during the fourth dynasty under the rule of King Khufu in the area known as Giza. (i) The amount of people that it took to build such a massive structure has been the subject of dispute for hundreds of years. The Greek historian Herodotus believed that it took one hundred thousand workers over a twenty-year period to build the great pyramid, but recent archaeologists using modern calculations believe that the pyramid was built by four thousand primary laborers and sixteen to twenty thousand secondary workers but also over a twenty year time period. (ii) There are many competing theories on why the great pyramid was built, none of them are definite but all of them are interesting. Many other pyramids have been built in the Middle East but none of the same stature. Other pyramids have been found to be burial chambers for various kings and pharaohs, but the Great Pyramid contained no burial remnants even though its essential design is the same as other pyramids, even containing special chambers for a king and a queen. (iii) Modern day scientists have discovered many interesting correlations between the location and dimensions of the Great Pyramid, that relate to the earth, the stars, and the seasons. (iv)
Bibliography: 1. "Pyramid." Encyclopedia Britannica. 2003. Encyclopedia Britannica Premium Service. 27 Sep, 2003 . 2. "Egyptians." British Broadcasting Service. 2003. British Broadcasting Service Interactive. 26 Sep, 2003 3. "Excavations at Giza 1988 – 1991." University of Chicago. 1992. Oriental Institute, University of Chicago. 26 Sep, 2003 4. "Q&A with Dr. Kent Weeks." The Learning Channel. 2003. The Learning Channel Online. 26 Sep, 2003 5. "Great Pyramid Facts and Statistics." Egyptian Pyramids Index. 2001. Crystalinks. 27 Sep, 2003