Great Pyramid of Giza

Circa 2560 The Great Pyramid of Giza is completed in Egypt. 

Figure 24.12 Using the radiocarbon dating method on organic materials, such as ash and charcoal found at the Great Pyramid of Giza, scientists estimate the pyramid to be more than 4000 years old. 

By measuring this ratio and comparing it to the nearly constant ratio present in the atmosphere, the age of an object can be estimated. For example, if an objects C-14 to (C-12 + C-13) ratio is one-quarter of the ratio measured in the atmosphere, the object is approximately two half-lives, or 11,460 years old. Carbon-14 dating is limited to accurately dating objects up to approximately 45,000 years of age. This method was used to date the Great Pyramid of Giza, shown in Figure 24.12. 

The Perfect Pyramid built as the Great Pyramid of Giza is special because of a particular constraint. In history, only Flerodotus has alluded to it. " The key is that the area of a side face is equal to the square of the height of the pyramid. Herodotus statement turns on the translation of the Greek word epipoles, which means either in elevation, hy the lateral surface or simply in surface... 

Verner, 2002, p. 74. The south-east corner of the Great pyramid of Giza (2467 BC) Is two centimetres higher than the north-west corner. The prevailing wind from the north-west could raise the surface of a water trough that amount over such a length. 

Fig. 9.13. The Great Sphinx of Giza with Khafre s pyramid in the background built in the year 2500 BC or perhaps earlier is the symbol of ancient Egyptian culture and an exquisite structure bearing perfect geometrical symmetry...

The cult of personality inherent in memorial structure for great rulers, like Maussollos s mausoleum or Khufu s pyramid at Giza, imbues the landscape with the authority of the dead ruler whose majesty demanded the monument. These Wonders are dramatic memorial landscapes used to enlarge and support the legacy the ruler. 

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