| Author | Message | ||
     Philip A. Femano, Ph.D. New member Username: stereophil Post Number: 1 Registered: 09-2009 Posted From: 67.84.240.196 |
I'm planning my first trip to Giza and wonder if anyone has current news (as of 10/09) on what the GP tour consists of these days. My wife's cousin just got back and told me that tours were being given at the GP but he didn't take the tour because he's too claustrophobic (!). But he told me that the tour company described it as "You basically walk down a long, cramped, stone corridor that empties into a big, dark, empty room, and then you turn around and walk back out". That's it? I HOPE it's a bit more thorough that that. Any details you can offer will be most appreciated. Thanks. :P | ||
| Samuel Laboy Member Username: samuellaboy Post Number: 161 Registered: 09-2002 Posted From: 66.50.107.58 |
Mr. Philip A. Femano, All depends how you look at it. However, it will be wise to learn about what you are going to see. Before going in, take a good look at the original entrance to the pyramid, as built by the Egyptians. Although probable this entrance is closed, you can admire the great architecture that composed its design. Four gigantic inclined slabs top the entrance. The descending corridor of this entrance is similar to the ascending corridor that you will walk when inside the pyramid. According to history, Abdullah Al-Mammon, caliph of Baghdad, was the first to enter the Great Pyramid in modern times. This occurred in the year 820 of this Age. The caliph and his group were in search for Pharaoh Khufu’s mortuary chamber and his treasures. It is been said that he found the chamber, but not the remains of the pharaoh and his treasures. The entrance to the tunnel bored by Al-Mammon and his team is located to the right side of the original entrance to the Great Pyramid, over the fifth layer of stone blocks. After going through this tunnel, you will reach the ascending passage to the Grand Gallery. But, before, take a look to the left of the corridor and you will see sections of the sealing blocks placed by the Egyptians to close the entrance of the ascending corridor. These sealing blocks were so tied to the rectangular space of the area that seems impossible to handle them inside the passage. You will arrive in front of the blocks, so, there is no problem in going up to the Grand Gallery. Just take some minutes to see this wonderful architecture. You will arrive to the entrance to the Queen’s Chamber. This entrance probably will be closed. To the right is the entrance to a tunnel going downward to the descending passage. It is like an escape tunnel. However, on top of this entrance you will see a very strange and large structure. The size is 7 feet wide from wall to wall, 28 height and has a 153 feet, inclined ceiling. The ceiling is formed by a corbel method, where the sides are getting closed about four inches at each side up to the ceiling. The free space at the ceiling is equal to the free space between the two benches at the longitudinal floor walls. You will also try to figure out what was the purpose of that magnificent architecture. At the south end of the Gallery there is a high platform with the entrance to a small room. This is the Antechamber. The purpose was to seal or close the entrance to the King’s chamber with three large granite slabs. After you enter into the antechamber, try to see the carve object (about 8 inches in size) in a granite slab in front of the back wall of the grand Gallery. This is called a " construction boss" by many people. For others, it could be a very important object in the near future. The four channels carved in the south wall of the antechamber, before entering into the King’s Chamber corridor, shows the great idea of the Egyptians of using ropes through this channels to lower the granite slabs, in such a way that they were placed closed to the south wall. They did this before placing the ceiling. Next, enter to the King’s Chamber, which is a marvel of construction, with hundred of granite stones, perfectly shape and placed, to build a rectangular room about 17 ft wide, 32 length and 19 ft height. The empty sarcophagus will call your attention. You can take pictures at this famous place. It is being said that Napoleon Bonaparte slept one night in this Chamber and told to a friend not to do it again because the terrible things that he dream. Take a look to the famous shafts entrances about 8 inches square in the south and north walls, which exist at the pyramid outer faces. Their construction purpose is unknown. There are two similar in the Queen’s Chamber, but at about 200 ft, before reaching the outside of the pyramid, they were closed with a small 8 x 8 x 3 stone slab. These two channels were investigated with a robot, and shown in TV several years ago. If you look up, you will see 9 great beams which will defined the ceiling. Just think there are 4 more similar ceilings and two inclined slabs to complete the entire design of the Chamber. I suggest you read about all these sites and take good pictures, in and out, including yourself, which your grandchildren will enjoyed in the future. Here in Guardians Egypt, or in http://www.samuellaboy.com web site, you can get information. Samuel Laboy | ||
| Philip A. Femano, Ph.D. New member Username: stereophil Post Number: 2 Registered: 09-2009 Posted From: 67.84.240.196 |
Thank you Samuel: I've read most of the 19th and early 20th century writings at this point and so I'm familiar with the details of the passages and chambers, I was only asking how much you actually are permitted to see these these days! Do you know if there is any way to see additional features that are not normally included in the "standard" tour? Like the QC or Subt'n Chamber or Grotto, etc.? Perhaps for an "additional fee"? Can such a thing be arranged? Phil. |
