Someone brave enough aspired to demolish the pyramids and ruin the Ancient Egyptian legacy in the 12th century. Al-Aziz, a Kurdish ruler, wanted to destroy the pyramids, so he went along and tried to execute his plan but he soon found that destroying the pyramids would be as expensive as it took to build them, and he gave up soon after.
Al-Aziz did manage to leave his mark on the Menkaure’s Pyramid. If you visit the pyramid today, you will see a massive slash on one side. That’s all that Al-Aziz managed to achieve during his intention to demolish one of the most stunning structures in the world. This score stands to establish just how unyielding and sturdy these structures genuinely are.
On the West Embankment
It seems peculiar that pyramids were all built on the same side of the river Nile – along the west embankment. The pyramids had to face the Sun as it was believed that the Sun was the dead's home. Another reason is that the Egyptian kings dreaded that they would be robbed after death, which is why they took their gold and valuables into their tombs. They believed the pyramids could protect and guard them in the afterlife as well.
As brilliant as their plans and complicated designs had seemed, they weren’t quite sufficient to prevent grave robbers. Even though the bodies were buried in chambers that could be reached only by those who knew their way around the secret passages, grave robbers still managed to locate their way to the lavish tombs.
Into the Afterlife
Ancient Egyptians devoutly clung to their beliefs in the afterlife. That is why Egyptians were buried with different objects and possessions supposed to help them in the afterlife. These objects included everything from gold to expensive jewelry to random everyday items, even food!
Another thing Egyptians attempted to bring along to their “afterlife” were little statues. Historians and archaeologists eventually discovered that it was believed that these miniature statues come to life in the next world to help and care for the pharaoh. When one tomb was found, archaeologists recovered over 400 statues inside.
Seen From the Moon
According to scientific estimations, the pyramids could have been seen from the moon, thanks to their reflective surfaces. Even the people residing in the hills and mountains in neighboring Israel could view the majestic pyramids.
The ancient Egyptians termed the Great Pyramid “Ikhet,” which translates to “glorious light.” Nevertheless, we will never honestly know how bright the structure was.
The Temperature Inside the Pyramids
Even though it was evident that some parts of the pyramids produce mysterious heat, the building itself remains comparatively cold on the inside. The official temperature readings show that the most common temperature inside the pyramid is around 68 degrees Fahrenheit. So not only did the ancient Egyptians create such an architectural masterpiece, they incorporated a cooling system using nothing but “archaic” tools.
The pyramid’s ventilation system is made of airshafts that were strategically placed. Once these shafts are opened, they immediately let cool air inside the chamber. As soon as you open them, the temperature in the chamber drops quickly. However, what is so mind-blowing is that no matter the temperature outside, the temperature inside the pyramids always remains 68 degrees. No one knows how this is possible without any machinery and technologies maintaining the temperature.