Your child has seen the Pyramids — in a textbook, maybe in real life if they live in Cairo. Most of what they've been taught is simplified, and some of it is just wrong. Here are ten things worth knowing.
1. The Pyramids were not built by slaves
Archaeological evidence from the workers' cemetery at Giza (excavated by Zahi Hawass in the 1990s) shows well-fed, well-paid, respected craftsmen — not forced labour. Many had healed injuries that only a valued worker receives treatment for.
2. Giza had a harbour
Recent work (the Wadi al-Jarf papyri, 2013) confirms Khufu's builders used a canal + harbour system, floating limestone blocks directly to the base of the plateau.
3. The Great Pyramid's original height: 146.6m
It was the tallest building on Earth for 3,800 years. It still would be taller than a 48-storey building today.
4. The outer casing was polished white
The original limestone casing made the Great Pyramid blindingly white. Most of it was stripped in the 14th century to build Cairo.
5. The alignment is stupidly precise
The four sides face true north, south, east, and west within 0.05 degrees. Modern GPS engineers consider this "show-off" work.
6. There are pyramids under the pyramids
Many queens' and princes' smaller pyramids surround the big three at Giza — including the "satellite pyramid" next to Khufu, discovered in 1991.
7. The Sphinx is older than we teach
The Sphinx was likely carved during Khafre's reign (c. 2500 BCE), but some geological evidence of water erosion suggests even earlier carving of its core.
8. The workers lived next door
A full workers' town, complete with bakeries and a brewery, has been excavated at Giza. Beer was part of the daily wage.
9. Not all pyramids are at Giza
Egypt has over 130 pyramids. The oldest is Djoser's step pyramid at Saqqara. The most colourful is Meidum.
10. They're still teaching us new things
The ScanPyramids project (since 2015) has used muon tomography — particles from deep space — to find previously unknown voids inside the Great Pyramid. Discoveries are ongoing.