The pyramids of the third dynasty and the early fourth
dynasty were built on layers of marl and slate. Although this made digging out
underground chambers easier, the marl layers could not support the immense
weight of stone above them. This may be one of the reasons that Khufu built his
pyramid at Giza rather than Saqqara or Dashur. However, Giza had been a
Necropolis for some time before Khufu chose to build there. The First Dynasty
Pharaoh Djet has a tomb on the edge of the plateau and seals
mentioning the
Second Dynasty Pharaoh Ninetjer were discovered in a tomb in the southern
cemetery. In fact, Khufu had to clear away earlier tombs in order construct his
pyramid complex.
Even after the ancient Egyptian pharaohs moved away from
Giza as their burial site, nobles and officials continued to live and die
there. However, during the First Intermediate Period, the pyramid town of Khufu
and the cemetery of Giza were both abandoned and left to decay. During the
Middle Kingdom, the pyramids and tombs were plundered, and the causeways and
temples were used as quarries by the pharaohs of the 12th Dynasty.
Fortunately, many of the New Kingdom pharaohs protected and
revered the ancient monuments of Giza, in particular the Great Sphinx (who they
called "Lord of Setpet, the Chosen Place"). A number of Eighteenth
and Nineteenth dynasty royals erected stelae between its paws and it was
worshipped as a representation of the sun god Harmakhet ("Horus in his
Western Horizon"). Amenhotep II built a small temple to the deity nearby
in which he names the Sphinx Harmakhet -Hauron (Hauron was a Syrian-Palestinian
god of the netherworld brought to Giza by settlers living near the Sphinx) and
Ramesses II installed a sanctuary between the forepaws of the Sphinx.
Restoration was also conducted by the New Kingdom royals, in particular
Khaemwaset (a son of Ramesses II) who took a special interest in preserving
many of Egypt´s ancient monuments.
By the Late Period, Osiris was the dominant god in the area.
He had absorbed Sokar (whose cult was centred at nearby Rostau) and the Sphinx
was considered to be his representative. Apparently, huge pedestals were
constructed on the Sphinx's flanks, on which shrines to Osiris and Isis were
placed, and Isis gained the epithet, "Lady of the Pyramids".
Since the demise of the ancient Egyptian civilisation, the
site has been quarried to aid the construction of Cairo. Most of the limestone
cladding of the pyramids ended up adorning the walls of the city. Even so, Giza
remains a massive archaeological site which has not yet been fully excavated
and new tombs and buildings continue to be recovered.
Non-Royal Tombs
The skilled workers who live at the site all year round
built their tombs near to the pyramids, which was quite an honour. While the
tombs are generally made of mud-brick (rather than stone) some used leftover
limestone and rubble from the construction of the royal tombs. They employed a
number of architectural styles including beehives, small true pyramids and
small step pyramids. The majority, however, are mastabas.
