Why the Summit of the Great Pyramid is Missing
The Missing Capstone
The Great Pyramid of Giza, a relic of the past, stands with a flat summit, unlike its pointed counterparts. This suggests peculiar deterioration, leaving us to ponder its secrets.
History tells of a gilded capstone once atop the pyramid, now lost. It is said to have been taken by treasure seekers, its gleam visible for miles.
What secrets did it hold? This speculation adds intrigue to the pyramid’s legacy, inviting explorers and scholars to explore its mysteries.
The Enigmatic Apex
In earlier videos, I’ve explored the Great Pyramid’s summit. The original *pyramidion* likely stood closer to 1 meter tall, like nearby structures.
A golden capstone would blend with the white limestone, appearing uniform from the ground. This reveals that striking monuments can hold subtle secrets.
If the Great Pyramid once had a *pyramidion*, why is its summit so diminished compared to its counterparts? What accounts for the missing sections that once crowned this structure?
These questions invite exploration into the mysteries of time and erosion.
Damage to the Great Pyramid
Theories suggest pharaohs damaged the Great Pyramid to overshadow Khufu’s legacy, yet this doesn’t explain its extensive degradation compared to other pyramids.
Why was it particularly targeted, bearing more scars than its counterparts? This deepens the enigma, revealing a past of political intrigue and cultural shifts.
The damage could not have been caused by tourists; moving large stone blocks required planning and equipment.
This suggests a deeper, more intentional cause, sparking curiosity about the ancient site.
Flat Summit Evidence
Diving into the history of the Great Pyramid, it was discovered that there are accounts from Diodorus Siculus describing a flat peak measuring six cubits, or 2.76 meters.
Pliny the Elder also noted this, estimating the perimeter at 16.5 feet, or 1.22 meters, indicating the pyramid’s distinctive summit shape two millennia ago.
Historical accounts provide insights into the ancient structure. Diodorus Siculus, in the 1st century BC, described the pyramid’s summit as flat, measuring a top side length of 6 cubits, or 2.76 meters.
Pliny the Elder, in the 1st century AD, also noted its flat peak, estimating its perimeter at 1.22 meters. These observations reveal that the summit lost its pointed apex two millennia ago, yet remained well-preserved.
Stone by Stone
In 1200 AD, historian Abd al-Latif al-Baghdadi noted the pyramid’s summit was 5.78 meters high, indicating stone removal.
By the 14th century, French nobleman Angur observed masons removing casing stones, suggesting human influence in the pyramid’s transformation rather than solely an earthquake.
Stones were removed from the pyramid’s summit to provide materials for rebuilding Cairo, altering the historic landmark.
Loss of Height
Once the casing stones of the pyramid were removed, gauging its height became frustrating. Visitors resorted to counting courses, often leading to muddled reports.
The uneven stones made miscalculations easy, turning the structure into a puzzle with discrepancies echoing through time.
By the late 18th century, the summit showed signs of significant degradation.
Records reveal destruction between 1798 and 1799, marked by the loss of original courses. The structure’s elegance appeared to fade as time and the elements eroded its grandeur, leaving fragments of its former glory.
The Disappearing Apex
During Napoleon’s expedition to Egypt in 1798, Jacques Grober and Edme-François Jomard observed the disappearance of large stones from the great pyramid’s peak.
Jomard noted how Arabs and visitors detached the stones and tossed them down, reclaiming history. This act of vandalism and curiosity intrigued onlookers about the ancient structure’s stories.
Over time, the pyramid’s summit transformed, losing height and shape. Stone removal flattened its top, resembling little of its former grandeur, altered by countless laborers.
Profiteering at the Summit
This reshaping was profit-driven. Tour guides made the summit more accessible, increasing earnings by removing five courses of stone. This change altered the mountain and marked the summit with human ambition.
The speed and precision of the damage hinted at something more sinister than random vandalism; it suggested a carefully orchestrated operation.
This was a concerted effort aimed at desecrating something significant, driven by motives understood only through a deeper investigation of the past. The implications of such an assault raised troubling questions about the preservation of history, leaving onlookers grappling with unease over this calculated destruction.
Lost to Time
If not for an incident in 1798, the pyramid might stand today with most backing stones untouched, similar to Khafre’s, missing only about five and a half courses from the peak.
The contrast is profound; one still holds its grandeur, the other bears the scars of time.
Imagine how different the landscape would be with that structure intact, a testament to ancient architects.
This reminds us how a few individuals, driven by profit, can significantly influence the erasure of our history. Their actions transformed a majestic pyramid into a flat-topped monument, altering its original grandeur.
Untold Secrets of the Pyramid
The journey into the Great Pyramids mysteries holds secrets to be uncovered. Unexamined stones, inscriptions, and luminescence dating hint at untold chapters.
Egyptology is at a pivotal moment, urged to embrace the pyramids full saga.
The year 1798 marks a turning point, inviting a fresh perspective on this ancient wonder.
To honor our history, we must learn from past mistakes, viewing them as guides for growth.
Diodorus Siculus and Pliny the Elder remind us that the past helps us understand the present. Ignoring these insights risks repeating past errors.
The pyramids flat summit symbolizes the wisdom of historical reflection.
