The Pyramids of Giza

5,200 years ago Memos united Upper and Lower Egypt (notes). Many of the symbols which we saw refer to the unification of Upper (to the south) and Lower (to the North) Egypt. For instance, red symbolizes Upper Egypt and white is symbolic of Lower Egypt (Seidel & Schulz). Additionally, the Lotus blossom and Papyrus are symbolic of lower and upper Egypt. We saw many depictions of the Lotus blossom and Papyrus placed together in the composition (notes).

Menkaure (Old Kingdom, Fourth Dynasty, circa 2500B.C.) probably planned to have his pyramid cased in red granite at the base and white lime stone at the top. The first 16 courses were cased in the red granite. The top, however, was finished in mud brick. Menkaure died before his pyramid was completed and his son, Shepeskaf, finished the project in a more frugal manner (Seidel & Schulz). Shepeskaf did not construct a pyramid for himself, having refused the title "Son of Ra" he built a mastaba, sarcophagus shaped tomb. He only ruled for four years, at the end of which Egypt entered it's fifth dynasty and added back the title of "Ra" (White 149).

The sheer magnitude of these construction projects conveys the high degree of wealth and organization that had been achieved by the fourth dynasty. The three pyramids at Giza were built by Khufu (Cheops), his son Khafra (Chephren) and finally, Menkaure, also referred to as Mycerinus (Hawass 19, White 70). These construction projects took approximately 100,000 workers 20 years to construct. The top point of Cheops' was made of a mixture of gold and silver and the limestone casing was inlaid with Turquoise and Agate (notes). Just imagine how they must have shown out across the desert.

While Mycerinus' pyramid is said to have a "Queens Chamber" this could not have been the case as the tomb was built solely for the Pharaoh, his three wives each had their own smaller pyramid next to his (notes, White 72).

Information is from:
Tour notes
Hamilton, R. 2005. "Ancient Egypt: Kingdom of the Pharaohs," Barnes & Noble.
Hawass, Zahi. "Silent Images: Women in Pharaonic Egypt." The American University in Cairo Press.
Seidel, M. & R. Schulz. 2005. "Art & Architecture: Egypt." Barnes & Noble.
White, J.E. Manchip. 1970. "Ancient Egypt: It's Culture and History." Dover Publications.