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King Khufu | Cheops | Owner of the Great Pyramid

Facts About King Cheops | King Khufu | Owner of the Great Pyramid

  • 05 16, 2023

Owner of the Great Pyramid

Khufu was the son of King Sneferu and Queen Hetep Haris and the brother of Princess Hetephres. Unlike his father, he was known for his cruelty and severity in his rule, as mentioned in historical texts. He had nine sons, including Djedef-Ra, his crown prince. He also had 15 daughters, including Hetephres II, who later became queen.

Researchers and historians have tried to estimate the amount of time it took to build King Khufu’s Great Pyramid of Giza. It is believed that its construction took 20 years, while the ascending road, ramps and foundations preparation took another 10 years. The job seems to have been continuous throughout the year and not only during particular seasons such as summer or floods. Between twenty thousand and thirty thousand workers participated in this project. It has been estimated that between one million five hundred thousand and two million three hundred thousand stones were used for constructing the Great Pyramid.

Each stone weighs from one point five tons up to two point five tons. Most importantly, some granite blocks used for building roof of a king’s burial chamber may weigh even fifty tons per piece. There were also engineers and foremen involved in the design and planning of the pyramid and its outbuildings. This work was always done under the supervision of the king himself, who visited the site from time to time.

Ham Euno may have been the main engineer responsible for the construction of the Great Pyramid of King Khufu, and we know of other foremen who were involved in this work, such as the workers Anti-Shadow and Kai, whose tombs, statues and tools were recently found in Giza near the workers' village.

South of the eastern side of the pyramid is a modern building that houses the boat that was discovered in 1954. It is a huge royal boat made of cedar wood, which was found disassembled in the pit and is one of the largest boats found in Egypt so far. On the front of the boat's deck, there is a canopy, the center part of which is covered by a frame that holds the canopy. In the aft part of the boat, there is the main cabin and this takes the form of a roof supported by poles from trees that produce palm leaves.

The boat has two oars that control the rudder while five pairs of oars help to steer it with a length of about 43.3 meters or 142.02 feet and a width of approximately 5.90 meters or 19.35 feet, height being about 5 meters or 16.4 feet at the bow as well as 7 meters or 23 feet at the stern. The king's funeral furnishings were sent by water. While some boats were made as models, it is clear that this boat was actually used as evidenced by the noticeable shrinkage of the remaining ropes.

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Egypt Tours FAQ

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King Cheops, also known as Khufu, was an ancient Egyptian Pharaoh who ruled during the Fourth Dynasty of the Old Kingdom period, around 2580–2560 BC. He is best known for commissioning the construction of the Great Pyramid of Giza, one of the most iconic and enduring architectural wonders in human history. Here are some details about King Cheops and his contributions to ancient Egypt:

   The Great Pyramid: King Cheops is primarily remembered for overseeing the construction of the Great Pyramid of Giza, which was built as his tomb. It is the largest and most famous of the three pyramids on the Giza Plateau and was the tallest man-made structure in the world for over 3,800 years.

   Architectural Achievement: The Great Pyramid is a masterpiece of ancient engineering and architecture. It consists of approximately 2.3 million limestone and granite blocks, each weighing several tons. The precision with which the pyramid was constructed, its alignment with the cardinal points, and its mathematical and astronomical significance continue to astonish scholars and visitors alike.

   Complex of Giza: In addition to the Great Pyramid, King Cheops' pyramid complex included a mortuary temple, a valley temple, and smaller satellite pyramids for family members and officials. These structures were part of the elaborate funerary cult that honored the Pharaoh after his death.

   Boat Pits: Near the Great Pyramid, a boat pit containing a disassembled solar boat was discovered. This boat, known as the Khufu Ship, is believed to have been intended to carry the Pharaoh's soul through the afterlife.

   Stela of Khufu: An ancient stela, known as the "Stela of Khufu," was discovered near the Great Pyramid. It bears inscriptions that mention the construction of the pyramid and Khufu's religious dedication.

   Economic Impact: The construction of the Great Pyramid required a significant labor force and vast resources. It likely had a considerable impact on the economy of ancient Egypt during Khufu's reign.

   Legacy: The enduring legacy of King Cheops lies in the monumental structure he built. The Great Pyramid continues to be a symbol of Egypt's rich history and the achievements of its ancient civilization.

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