Of all ancient landmarks, none have captivated the human imagination quite like the pyramids and the Sphinx of Giza. These iconic monuments, standing tall on the Giza Plateau, have transcended millennia, becoming symbols etched into the consciousness of humanity.
Recognizable across cultures and ages, they invoke visions of eternity, the afterlife, and a mystical union of earth and sky. And yet, despite their fame, the truth about who built them, when, and why, remains shrouded in uncertainty.
It has been the theme of poets, painters, musicians, theologians and historians, and yet in spite of all that it remained the silent mystery of the ages, the Great Paradox, being at once the best known and the least known of all the monuments in Egypt.
SELIM HASSAN, EGYPTIAN ARCHAEOLOGIST, 1953
A Gateway to the Stars
To understand Giza, one must first reconsider modern terminology. Giza is more than a pyramid site; it is a living suburb of Cairo that extends into the Sahara. Locals call the necropolis “Al Harram”—”the Sacred Place.” Contrary to the Greek-derived term “necropolis,” implying a city of the dead, the ancient Egyptians saw it as something far more profound.
Egyptologists often refer to the area as the “Horizon of Khufu,” or “Akhet Khufu,” a term originally used solely for the Great Pyramid and steeped in celestial meaning.
The term “akhet” implies more than a horizon; it suggests the king’s transformation into a star or illuminated spirit in the afterlife. Similarly, the term “pyramid” itself derives from the Greek “pyramides,” which means “large cakes.” Ancient Egyptians, however, used the term “mr,” meaning “place of ascent.” The Sphinx, too, is a Greek corruption of the Egyptian “shesepankh,” or “living image.” These are not just architectural wonders, they are celestial gateways.
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The Legacy of Zep Tepi
According to scholars such as Wilkinson and Rundle T. Clark, ancient Egyptian rituals mirrored cosmic events from an epoch known as “zep tepi”- “the First Time.” This mythical era marked a golden age when gods walked the earth, establishing the foundations of society, ritual, and the natural world. Everything sacred, from the shape of temples to the meaning of hieroglyphs, was believed to originate from this era.
This concept places the Giza necropolis not as a cemetery, but as “the Select Place of the First Time,” a sacred landscape embedded with cosmic significance.
The Geological Foundation
Giza stands on a limestone plateau known as the Mokattam Formation. Stretching roughly one kilometer by half a kilometer, this elevated land slopes toward the Nile. Topographical surveys have shown that the area’s natural geology may have influenced monument placement.
Though mainstream Egyptology dates these structures to the Fourth Dynasty, evidence exists of earlier human activity and sacred associations dating back to the First and Second Dynasties.
(Photo courtesy of R. Bauval.)
Artifacts from these periods suggest that the area had spiritual importance long before the pyramids. Even Selim Hassan, a leading Egyptologist, acknowledged that Khufu may have chosen a site already considered sacred.
The exact period of construction, or better still creation of the Great Sphinx, is still one of the great enigmas of the Egyptian art history.
RAINER STADELMANN, DIRECTOR EMERITUS OF THE GERMAN ARCHAEOLOGICAL INSTITUTE IN CAIRO, 2003
The Sphinx: Born of Nature?
The Great Sphinx continues to baffle scholars. Some believe it was carved from a natural rock formation resembling a lion or falcon—what geologists call a yardang. This naturally occurring promontory may have inspired early sun-worshippers, lending divine importance to its form.
Experts like Serena Love argue that the head of the Sphinx was once a natural landform appropriated by ancient people to connect with their ancestors. The idea that the Sphinx was a pre-existing sacred relic adds a new layer to its mystery. It wasn’t merely built—it was revealed, as though the desert had always held its form.
Sacred Geography and Symbolism
Giza’s layout wasn’t accidental. British Egyptologist Karol Mysliwiec noted that ancient texts describe the first creature at the dawn of time as a lion. The Sphinx, emerging from the limestone, could thus be seen as embodying that primeval force. Surrounding this figure are elements like the so-called Sacred Mound, incorporated into the base of the Great Pyramid.
The Egyptians believed the world began atop a mound, where the mythical bennu bird initiated creation with its cry. That mound, in Heliopolis, was mirrored in Giza’s own rise of land. Engineers today would hesitate to build a six-million-ton pyramid atop uneven rock. That the builders did so suggests a symbolic rather than practical motive: to anchor the pyramid in sacred ground.
A Walk Through the Monuments
Entering the Giza necropolis from the east, one first encounters the Valley Temple of Khafre, followed by the Sphinx Temple. Beyond them, the three main pyramids rise like sentinels of eternity. The Valley Temple is believed to represent a gateway into the afterlife, where the king was purified before burial. This temple features two entrances; one for the living, and one for the dead.
(Photo courtesy of R. Bauval.)
Interestingly, the only inscriptions in the Valley Temple reference goddesses Bastet and Hathor, not Khafre himself. This has led some to suggest the temple predates Khafre and that the granite cladding bearing his name was added later.
The Celestial Duat
In ancient cosmology, the duat was the celestial realm of the dead, presided over by Osiris. It was believed to exist in the sky’s eastern part, near the constellations Orion and Sirius. Some Egyptologists, like Nathalie Beaux and Mark Lehner, suggest that Giza was designed as a terrestrial mirror of this heavenly realm.
(Photo courtesy of R. Bauval.)
Fig.
The long causeways that stretch from the temples to the pyramids may have symbolized the king’s journey from earthly death to celestial rebirth. Herodotus wrote of these causeways, praising their grandeur and intricate animal carvings. Some remnants show ceilings painted with blue and dotted with golden stars—a vision of the night sky itself.
(Photo courtesy of R. Bauval.)
Engineering Marvels
Though the pyramids draw the most awe, the Valley and Mortuary Temples exhibit even more impressive feats of engineering. Built with limestone blocks weighing up to 200 tons, they were later clad in granite slabs weighing up to 15 tons. This kind of effort defies logic unless one considers a deeper purpose, perhaps to protect something ancient, to cloak an older monument in a newer face.
(Photo courtesy of R. Bauval.)
This pattern recurs throughout Giza. The Great Pyramid’s alignment to cardinal points, the boat pits on its eastern side, and the satellite pyramids suggest a sophisticated spiritual and cosmic framework. Even the Great Pyramid’s core integrates a natural mound, perhaps the original sacred ground.
A Sacred Landscape Reimagined
Over time, Giza fell into neglect. By the end of the Old Kingdom, its grandeur had faded. Later revivals during the New Kingdom and the Late Period brought restorations, particularly to the Sphinx and its associated temples. Yet centuries of looting, erosion, and careless exploration left scars.
Ironically, it was not just time and nature that wore down Giza, but also human curiosity. European and American visitors in the 19th century often chipped off pieces of monuments as souvenirs. Even early archaeologists used gunpowder in their quest for hidden chambers, doing more harm than good.
Conclusion: Giza’s Timeless Call
The Giza necropolis is more than stone and mystery, it is a reflection of humanity’s yearning to touch the stars, to connect with a divine past. While scholars debate its origins, symbols, and functions, one thing remains clear: Giza was designed with purpose, reverence, and vision.
Whether viewed as a gateway to the stars, a sacred landscape shaped by nature and myth, or a testament to forgotten technologies and beliefs, Giza challenges our understanding of history. It beckons us not just to study the past, but to remember it.
For all its unanswered questions, the Giza Plateau stands as a reminder that the search for meaning is itself a sacred journey.
❓FAQs : Giza Plateau
1. What is the Giza Plateau and why is it important?
The Giza Plateau is a limestone plateau located near Cairo, Egypt. It’s world-renowned for housing the iconic Great Pyramids of Giza, the Sphinx, and various ancient tombs. Its importance lies in being one of the most historically and archaeologically significant sites in the world, often referred to as “The Select Place of the First Time” in ancient Egyptian mythology.
2. What monuments are found on the Giza Plateau?
The Giza Plateau is home to several key monuments:
- The Great Pyramid of Khufu (Cheops)
- The Pyramid of Khafre
- The Pyramid of Menkaure
- The Great Sphinx
- Numerous smaller tombs, temples, and workers’ villages
These structures make the Giza Plateau a treasure trove of ancient Egyptian architecture and spirituality.
3. Why is the Giza Plateau called “The Select Place of the First Time”?
In ancient Egyptian cosmology, “The Select Place of the First Time” refers to the mythical era of creation when the gods first walked the Earth. The Giza Plateau was believed to be a sacred ground where divine and cosmic energies aligned, making it a prime location for constructing the pyramids and other sacred structures.
4. Can you visit the Giza Plateau today?
Yes, the Giza Plateau is open to the public and is one of Egypt’s most popular tourist attractions. Visitors can explore the pyramids, enter select chambers, view the Sphinx up close, and enjoy panoramic desert views. Guided tours are highly recommended for deeper historical insights.
5. What is the best time to visit the Giza Plateau?
The ideal time to visit the Giza Plateau is during Egypt’s cooler months, from October to April. Early mornings or late afternoons are best to avoid the midday heat and large crowds, and to capture stunning photographs of the monuments.
6. Are there any mysteries or theories about the Giza Plateau?
Yes, the Giza Plateau is the subject of many ancient mysteries and modern theories. These include:
- Alignments with celestial bodies like Orion’s Belt
- Advanced ancient technology theories about pyramid construction
- Hidden chambers and undiscovered tombs
These theories add to the plateau’s mystique and attract researchers and spiritual seekers from around the globe.
