The Pyramids of Egypt are shrouded in mystery. The Great Pyramid of Giza is perhaps the most mysterious of all. There are absolutely no ancient texts that tell us when, why and how it was built.

The Pyramids of Giza are the most famous of all. However, they are not considered the oldest on the planet, nor are they believed to be the largest. Thousands of years ago, civilizations around the world built intricate pyramids. These magnificent monuments were erected on nearly all continents. Mainstream scholars tell us that the oldest structures were likely primitive monuments built in Brazil thousands of years ago. Unlike the Egyptian Pyramids, the Brazilian counterparts were made of Earthen material, shells, and mud. But pyramids were also built in other parts of the American continent. Following the simplified pyramids of Brazil, the oldest ones were built in Peru. The Pyramid City of Caral built intricate structures contemporaneous with the Egyptian pyramids, or at least this is what archeologists tell us. The largest pyramid on Earth is believed to be the Great Pyramid of Cholula, located in present-day Mexico. You can read more about it here.

The Great Pyramid

But even though the Egyptian pyramids might not be the oldest or largest, they are certainly one of the most interesting. The ancient Egyptian pyramids have stood the test of time. The Great Pyramid of Giza is a true wonder. This pyramid was built using more than 2.5 million blocks of stone. Its total weight has been estimated at around 6 million tonnes. Some of the largest stones used in its construction are over 80 tons. These stones originated from the stone quarries of Aswan, located some 800 kilometers away. It remains a mystery how these stones were transported to Giza and placed into position inside the pyramid. No ancient texts tell us how the Great Pyramid was built, why it was built, and when the construction began. Nonetheless, mainstream experts believe that the Great Pyramid was commissioned by King Khufu, the second Pharaoh of the 4th Dynasty.