Talking Pyramids: Ancient Egyptian Pyramids» Talking Pyramids: Ancient Egyptian Pyramids News

Barriers To Stop Pyramid Climbers at Giza

Vincent — Thu, 20 May 2010 01:30:27 +0000

No Climbing sign on the Pyramid of Khafre

Shortly after I posted the story of the eye-witness video of the removal of the man from the top of the pyramid of Khafre I received a report from another traveller on the Giza Plateau that day. Kassy sent in some photos of the incident as she watched the Egyptian Military helicopter remove the man.

Since then I have been chatting on Twitter with Andrew, who is currently living and working in Cairo.

I had heard that a fence of some sort has been erected around the pyramid of Khafre, apparently in response to the incident to prevent others from climbing the pyramid. So I asked Andrew if he was able to confirm this.

He travelled to Giza the next day and responded that both the northern and eastern sides of the pyramid have rope strung between metal bollards that have been cemented into the bedrock. Guards with walkie-talkies can be seen sitting around the pyramid…waiting.

The northern face of Khafre's pyramid showing rope strung between bollards

Guards positioned around the pyramid look out for anyone attempting to climb the pyramid

These are not new additions though, these bollards have been here for some years now and can also be seen around Khufu’s pyramid. It does seem as though they might have increased the number of guards positioned around the pyramid.

On the western side of Khafre’s pyramid, however, a new metal fence has been erected. This western barrier appears to be a new addition, perhaps a result of the recent climbing of the pyramid. Andrew was kind enough to take a batch of photos especially for Talking Pyramids readers.

Photo of the metal barrier on the western side of the Khafre's pyramid with a close up inset

Andrew’s photos are used with permission. Some rights reserved.
No Climbing photo by Jay Bergesen. Some rights reserved.

Photos: Military Helicopter Rescue at Giza

Vincent — Sat, 01 May 2010 02:04:13 +0000

Following on from the story a couple of weeks ago of the removal of a man from the top of the pyramid of Khafre at Giza, a recent visitor Kassy Humphreys has sent in some photos that she snapped of the event.

Military remove man from the top of Khafre's pyramid after a night at the top

Kassy explains:

“We heard that he was an Egyptian man who got stuck up there and had to spend the night at the top. According to one of our armed escorts, the army took him away and they think that he will spend a few months in jail.”

Considering the remaining casing stone that still caps the top of the pyramid it is difficult to imagine how he made it to the very top of the pyramid.

“From what we could see, he was right at the top. We too were quite perpelexed as to how he managed to get all the way up there as there is a bit of an overhang which looked near impossible to get around!”

I could imagine the thought of looking down at all the smooth limestone casing after having made it to the top, wondering how to get down with the realisation that one wrongly place foot could send you falling to your death.

As a result of this incident the pyramid is now surrounded by new fencing.

View more photos of the pyramid of Khafre on the Pyramid of Khafre page.

Friday Photo: Diorite Statue of Khafre

Vincent — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 02:26:18 +0000

Khafre was the builder of the second pyramid on the Giza plateau. This diorite statue of Khafre was found by Mariette in the Granite temple near the Sphinx. It currently resides in the Egyptian Museum in Cairo.

Statue of Khafre

If you click on the photo you can see the larger complete image, on the side of which are some notes:

‘Khafri’ is seated his hands stretched over his knees. A hawk standing on the back of the seat envelopes the head with its wings image of RA, who protects his son ‘Pharaon’.

One asks how the Egyptian artists could model with so much suppleness a material as rebellious to the chisel as diorite. All the details of limbs and body are given with fidelity and marvellous strength. Calmness and power marks the whole.

MASPERO

The arms of the throne terminate in lions heads. At the sides of the seat are papyrus and lotus plants intertwined around the symbol of union which indicates the junction of Upper and Lower Egypt.

Photograph from the Boston Public Lbrary CC By 2.0

Friday Photo: Graf Zeppelin Great Pyramid

Vincent — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 14:54:46 +0000

Here is another stereoscopic photograph taken in 1931 of the Graf Zeppelin’s rendezvous with the eternal desert and the pyramids of Giza. It was taken from the top of the Great pyramid and shows the zeppelin above the pyramid of Khafre.

You can put your special stereoscope back in your pocket, you wont be needing that. The image has been modified to create a ‘wiggle-view’ version by placing the two photographs on top of each other and alternating between the two views.

Update on the Pyramids from Egypt

Vincent — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 02:46:26 +0000

An update on the state of some of the pyramids from Heidi who has just returned from Egypt.

Water threatens the pyramid at Hawara
The ground water at Hawara is high. So high in fact that the subterranean chambers of the pyramid of Amenemhet III at Hawara are totally submerged under water. Anyone trying to enter this pyramid will only get about 5 meters from the entrance, scuba diving gear is required to explore any further. Unfortunately this has been the case for some time now. Salt deposits can be seen on the walls and ceiling of the corridor. There is talk of emptying the water by pumping it out as they have done to lower the water level around the Sphinx at Giza.

Water in the descending passage of the pyramid of Amenemhet III

Menkaure still closed for cleaning
At Giza, the status of entry to the three main pyramids, that is Khufu, Khafre and Menkaure is always on rotation. Usually only two of the three Giza pyramids are open at any time to allow one of them to be closed for cleaning and restoration. Menkaure was closed all last year and was expected to open this year but is still currently closed. It is not clear if Menkaure is scheduled to open any time in the near future.

Tickets & Entry Prices
Heidi was also kind enough to send in some of the new style tickets which show the current prices for entry into many of the archaeological sites in Egypt. I’ve added these to the other tickets I’ve received from readers and you can view them as a slide show here:

Visit Heidi’s photo stream to see more photos from her recent trip to the land of the pyramids.

Photo of the Week: Giza Three

Vincent — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 15:58:55 +0000

This week’s photo comes courtesy of Jon Bodsworth from Egypt Archive. It is an unsual shot showing the three pyramids of Giza. In the foreground is the south-east corner of the Great pyramid, followed by Khafre’s pyramid with the pyramid of Menkaure in the background.

The three pyramids on the Giza plateau - by Jon Bodsworth

Egyptian Pyramids Entry Prices for 2009

Vincent — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 11:47:30 +0000

One of the main functions of Talking Pyramids is to provide up-to-date information on the Egyptian pyramids. Last year Zahi Hawass announced that he wanted all Egyptian pyramids to open to the public by 2009 though I do not think this is the case. Although I try to keep the entry prices up to date on the Pyramid Fields pages, it is very difficult to get confirmation on which pyramids are open and which are closed. If anyone has any information on the entry prices of pyramids I have missed please contact me and let me know.

The following list contains the latest prices that I have been able to confirm by speaking with people who have recently returned from Egypt. These prices are not necessarily fixed for the whole year, however, and may change throughout the year.

Abu Roash: Open
Djedefre’s Pyramid: open

Giza Plateau: 60 L.E. Open to the public: 9:00am – 5:00pm
Khufu’s Pyamid: 100 L.E.
Khafre’s Pyramid: 30 L.E.
Menkaure: 25 L.E.
Solar Boat Museum: 50 L.E.

Sound & Light Show: 60 L.E.
Three shows a day.
Winter: 6:30 pm, 7:30pm, 8:30 pm
Summer: 8:30pm, 9:30pm, 10:30pm

Zawiyet el-Aryan: Open
Khaba: closed
Nebka: closed

Abu Sir: 20 L.E.
Sahure: sometimes open
Niuserre: closed
Neferirkare: closed
Neferefre: closed

Saqqara: 60 L.E. (includes several tombs, Teti’s pyramid & the funerary temple of Djoser)
Sesheshet: closed
Teti: Free having paid to enter Saqqara
Userkaf: closed
Djoser: closed
Djoser funerary Temple: Free having paid to enter Saqqara
Unas: closed
Sekhemkhet: closed
New Tombs: 30 L.E.

South Saqqara:
Pepi I: ?
Djedkare-Isesi: ?
Merenre: ?
Ibi: ?
Pepi II: ?
Shepseskaf: ?
Khendjer: ?

Dashur: 30 L.E. (inludes entry to the Red and Bent pyramids)
Sneferu (Red): Free having paid to enter Dashur (all chambers are accessible)
Sneferu (Bent): Free having paid to enter Dashur (all chambers are closed)
Amenemhet II: closed
Amenemhet III: closed
Senusret III: closed

Mazghuna:
Amenemhet IV: closed
Sobekneferu: closed

Lisht:
Amenemhet I: closed
Senusret I: closed

Meidum:
Sneferu: 35 L.E.

Faiyum:
Senusret II: 35 L.E.
Amenemhet III: 35 L.E.

Other Sources:
Egyptian Monuments: Su Bayfield’s website contains lots of good information on travelling to the pyramids & other Travel Tips.

Dr Zahi Hawass: The Official Website of Dr Hazwass has just been revamped and contains good information on the latest happenings in Egypt.

AERA’s 2009 Field Season: Ancient Egypt Research Associates (AERA) field work at Giza for this year can be found on their blog.