The Great Pyramid
By Brittane Jenkins

General Description
The Great Pyramid of Giza is referred to as the Pyramid of Cheops and the Pyramid of Khufu. It is the oldest and largest of the Pyramids located in Cairo, Egypt. It is also known as one of the Seven Great Wonders of the World. It was originally built as a burial site for the Egyptian King Khufu. Ancient Egyptians believed that once the Pharaoh died he became “Osiris” which is the “King of the Dead”. Some part of the Pharaoh’s dead spirit called “Ka” remained with his body. The Egyptians believed it was very important to take care of the Pharaoh’s dead body because if the cycle was broken it would cause the fall of Egypt. The Egyptians mummified (preserve body) and buried their pharaohs in tombs called pyramids. There is also a place for the Queen (Queen’s Chamber) and there are smaller pyramids for the other wives.
Architectural Design
The Great Pyramid’s Architectural Design is very strong and has preserved it for many years. The pyramid stones are made like ball and socket connections. The pyramid is as long as a football field, and built to withstand heat, cold, settling and Earthquakes. Khufu or Cheop's Great Pyramid is 756 feet square in plan, and 481 high. The angle of the triangular faces is about 51.5 degrees. The base of the pyramid covers about 13 acres. There are 2.3 million limestone blocks that came from nearby quarries.
Harmony with Nature
The pyramid complex of Khufu probably remained mostly intact for almost 4,000 years. During that period of time, most visitors to it must have been amazed by its enormity, and probably by the ancient Egyptian's reverence toward the structure. techniques. Most people with a limited knowledge of Egypt believe that the Great Pyramids of Giza lie out in the desert, and are therefore rather surprised when, traveling down Pyramid road to the east; they see them rise up, seemingly among the distant buildings. They in fact sit on the city limits of Greater Cairo, and are threatened by man's expansion, though scholars are very aware of this today, and work to prevent damage to the structure.
Symbolism and Sacred
Objects Everything the king would need in his afterlife was provided in his grave—vessels made of clay, stone, and gold, furniture, food, even doll-like representations of servants, known as ushabti. His body would continue to receive food offerings long after his death.

How it is Used by Worshippers
The Great Pyramid was intended to be something more than the tomb or even a temple in honor of Cheops. It was a place where the Egyptians could allow there pharaoh to still be a part of everyday life. The Egyptians treated their pharaoh with care and honor even though he had passed away. The pharaoh was given gifts and honor just as if he were still alive. The Great Pyramid of Giza, perfectly aligned to true north, and so, having required very precise timekeeping for its alignment, and its dimensions, was the supposed relay-station for the ka (spirit) of the physically dead king Osiris.
Sources
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Pyramid_of_Giza
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/pyramids/khufu.html
Francis D. K. Ching. Architecture: Form, Space, and Order. New York: Van Nostrand Reinhold, 1979. section, p56