The Pyramids of Giza have to be the most well known monuments in the world. However, they are still surprizing when you see them. They are huge! The only way you can truely understand this is to stand beside them and look up.
You should go to the pyramids in the early morning with a driver, if possible. That way you might get a chance to see them without a thousand other people around. There are other things to see and do, and it won't be crowded then.
The Sphinx is part of the pyramid complex and the ruins of the mortuary and funerary temple of Chephren are accessible.
There has been recent excavation around the pyramids. There were many tombs of nobles constructed for the nobles of the courts of the three pharaohs. Also they have excavated the village of the workmen who built the pyramids.
The Solarboat museum is also located there, and as it is air conditioned, it is a great activity for the hotter part of the day.
Mena, the nearby village has all of the tourist shops, where you can browse in the hotter afternoon.
Then, at night come back to see the sound and light show. Check with your hotel to choose a session in your native language.
Don't forget that there are more pyramids, recently open to tourists at Abusir and Dashur. These are also on the Giza Plateau, but further along the Nile. I am sure that tours are available and a driver can get you there.
The Penguin Guide covers The purpose and religious theory of pyramids on pages 79-89. It covers the Pyramids of Giza beginning on pages 199 and proceed in the next pages to cover Abusir, Saqqara and Dashur.
The Lonely Planet Guide covers Giza on 181-186, Abusir on 225 and Dashur on 227.
Seneferu's Bent pyramid at Dahshur was originally planned as a true pyramid, but its geometry was altered at a point just above half its height. The angle of incline was decreased from 54º 31' 13'' to 43º 21'.
Some believe that his pyramid at Giza was built by slaves but this is not true. One hundred thousand people worked on it for three months of each year. This was the time of the Nile's annual flood which made it impossible to farm the land and most of the population was unemployed. He provided good food and clothing for his workers and was kindly remembered in folk tales for many centuries.
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