The Great Sphinx Was Likely Part Of This Pyramid Complex

The Pyramid of Khafre is the second largest of the Egyptian pyramids being second only to the Great Pyramid of Giza that it sits beside. It is one of the three massive pyramids of Giza and one of the greatest engineering marvels of Ancient Egypt. The pyramids are so remarkable that scolars are still debating how they were build.

The pyramids were not isolated structures, but rather they were part of massive funerary complexes - when the Great Pyramids were first built they looked very different to what they do today. It is also thought that the iconic Great Sphinx of Egypt was once part of the Pyramid of Khafre complex.

Pyramid of Khafre - The Second-Largest Pyramid

The Pyramid of Khafre is both the second tallest and the second largest of the Egyptian pyramids measuring a base length of 706 feet or 215 meters and a height of 448 feet or 136 meters. While it is shorter than the Great Pyramid (aka the pyramid of Khufu), is can appear taller as it sits on a bedrock 10 meters (33 feet) higher than the other. It was built for the great Pharaoh Khafre of the Fourth Dynasty who reigned from circa 2558−2532 BC.

Base Length: 706 feet or 215 meters
Height: 448 feet or 136 meters
Built For: Pharaoh Khafre

The pyramid is constructed from massive limestone blocks that weigh about 2 tons each. The core of the pyramid is a rock outcropping and the bottom course fo the casing stones are pink granite while the rest of the pyramid is limestone.

There are two entrances to the burial chamber which is carved out of a pit in the bedrock under the pyramid. The chamber is rectangular measuring 46 feet by 16.5 feet (or 14 x 5 meters). In the chamber is Khafre's sarcophagus that has been carved out of a solid block of granite and partly sink into the floor.

The Pyramid and The Sphinx

While there are dissenting opinions on the matter, it is thought that the Great Sphinx of Giza was the sentinel for Pharaoh's Khafre massive tomb. The Sphinx has a reclining lion's body and a man's head - it is thought to have been of the head of Pharaoh Khafre himself.

The Sphinx was carved out of a large limestone formation that was quarried to build the pyramids of Khafre itself. The sphinx is a mythical creature with a lion's body and a man's head.

Represents: Pharaoh Khafre Himself
Built: Around 2500 BC for Pharaoh Khafre
Mythical Creature: The Sphinx is A Mythical Creature

The Great Sphinx may have been part of the complex. It was carved out of a rock formation used to cut the blocks for the pyramid itself. The stones that were cut from around the Sphinx were also used to construct a temple located in front of it. But the temple and the enclosure were never fully completed.

Pyramid of Khafre Funerary Complex

Besides the Sphinx there is a satellite pyramid and temples in the pyramid complex. There was also a causeway that once connected the pyramid with the temples. The temples are larger than any of those of older pyramids.

Khafre Pyramid's Satellite Pyramid

The Pyramid of Khafre was not alone, there was also a smaller satellite pyramid called Pyramid G2-a. It is located on the south side but unfortunately little remains of it today. Only some core blocks and the outline of the foundation are to be found. The pyramid had two descending passages - one of which had pieces of ritualistic furniture.

Temples Of The Pyramid Of Khafre

The pyramids of Giza all have temples, and the temples of Khafre are better preserved today than those of the Great Pyramid. The best preserved one is the Valley Temple that is still substantially preserved.

Valley Temple: Located At The End of the Causeway And Well Preserved

There was also a mortuary temple, but unfortunately it is in a poor stage and mostly ruins. It was once a large temple with five storage chambers, five niches for the pharaoh's statues, an inner sanctuary, the entrance hall, and a columned court.