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Essay / Reconstruction and protection of the pyramids of Giza
Ancient sites are an integral part of our society. Not only do they provide us with crucial information about past events that occurred, but they also give us a better understanding of how communities lived their daily lives. In order for us to continue to appreciate these ancient sites, it is of the utmost importance that we come together to try to save them for others to experience. The Pyramids of Giza are a magnificent site, made up of three pyramids each built during the reign of three different pharaohs, built between 2550 and 2490 BC. The methods used to preserve, conserve and reconstruct have had varying successes as well as failures over time. Its current preservation is a testament to the work of the original builders, whose innovative ideas created the world's only surviving ancient wonder, but concerns remain regarding the safety of the pyramids. The UNESCO organization has improved the preservation of the site and thus limited tourist access in order to conserve the Giza pyramids. Finally, it was between 2000 and 2011 that we saw museum initiatives rebuilding the site, with the help of the Giza Project so that others could still learn more without having to visit it. Say no to plagiarism. Get a custom essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”?Get the original essayIn the 4th Dynasty of Egypt, around 2250 BC, the three pyramids of Giza were built during a time of intense construction. The pyramids were erected by three pharaohs, Khufu, who built the tallest pyramid, known as the Great Pyramid of Giza. Khafre, who built the second pyramid of Giza around 2520 BC, as well as the Sphinx and finally the third pyramid which was significantly smaller than the other two, built by Menkure around 2490 BC. It is still unknown who actually built the pyramid. The Giza Pyramids, although popular theory such as that of the Greek historian Herodotus (ca. 450 to 435 BC), depicted the pyramid builders as slaves. Another theory from Pilny (20 AD) believed that the third pyramid was built by a woman called "Rhodopis", once a courtesan slave of Esopus. However, archaeologist Zahi Hawass confirmed that this theory was a myth. According to Hawass, these tombs of the pyramid builders were discovered in 1990 by a tourist and revealed that the workers were actually buried in tombs. This proves that they were not in fact slaves but skilled and intelligent workers who unfortunately died during the process of building the pyramids. In honor of their hard work, they were buried in tombs near the pyramids. It was shown early on, thanks to the innovative and brilliant ideas of the Egyptian workers, that they were able to preserve the site by learning from past mistakes during the construction of the second pyramid in around 2520 BC and the third pyramid around 2490 BC. One particular challenge they faced was freeze-thaw due to the cold. Moisture would enter cracks in the rocks, causing expansion and eventually erosion, thus damaging the pyramid. Through this, they realized that if they wanted the pyramids to last longer, they needed to build the joints tight enough so that water couldn't penetrate. As a result, they applied this method to the Great Pyramid, being the last pyramid they built. , and in addition used a stone like granite; a material strong enough not to let water pass through. Through this example we can see »..