Tuesday, June 30th 2026
The Great Pyramid of Giza was built with anti-seismic protection
Entire civilizations have flourished, fallen and disappeared, but this pharaonic monument has withstood the test of time. The only one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World still standing today, the Great Pyramid of Giza has stood for 4,600 years.
One of the main reasons is its remarkable resistance to earthquakes, according to a study published in Nature.
“Although I would hesitate to claim that the ancient Egyptians deliberately designed the pyramid to withstand earthquakes, I believe that they developed architectural and geotechnical solutions that themselves created structures with exceptional long-term stability,” lead researcher Asem Salama, a seismologist at the Egyptian National Research Institute for Astronomy and Astrophysics (NRIAG), told Reuters.
The stability of the pyramid, built as a mausoleum for Cheops, was analyzed with seismometers that recorded background vibrations, invisible vibrations caused by natural forces and activity. human, at 37 points inside and outside the monument.
Measurements showed an extremely homogeneous and stable structural response to vibrations, despite the size and complexity of the monument.
The Pyramid of Cheops, the oldest and largest of the three pyramids of Giza on the outskirts of Cairo, has a base with a side of 230 meters and occupies an area of 53 dynami.
For about 3 thousand and For 800 years it was the tallest building in the world. It originally had a height of 147 meters, but today it reaches 138.5 meters due to the loss of smooth limestone slabs that covered the top and the entire monument.
The study identifies several features that provide the pyramid with anti-seismic protection: a wide base with a low center of gravity, a symmetrical structure, a gradual decrease in mass towards the top, and internal chambers that limit the amplification of vibrations. Also, it was built on a solid layer of limestone.
“The ancient Egyptians clearly had practical knowledge of stability, foundation behavior, mass distribution and load transfer,” Salama said.
Vibration frequencies recorded inside the pyramid show that mechanical stresses were uniformly distributed.
It appears that the builders learned from their mistakes. past, as evidenced by the apparent deficiencies in the earliest pyramids.
Researchers collected seismic data from all areas of the pyramid, including the King’s Chamber, near the center of the structure, where the pharaoh’s mummy was once located.
The analysis showed that the intensity of vibrations increases with height, an expected phenomenon in tall structures. However, a decrease in vibration amplification was observed in the five rooms above the King’s Chamber, despite the higher position.
“This shows that these rooms effectively contribute to the dissipation of seismic energy and protect the King’s Chamber from excessive vibrations,” said Mohamed ElGabry.
Thousands of buildings in the surrounding area were destroyed by powerful earthquakes in 1847 and 1992, but the damage to the pyramid was very limited.
The Great Pyramid is part of the monumental complex of Giza, which also includes the pyramids of Khafre and Mykerene. Visitors from all over the world have come to admire these monuments since ancient times.
“The Great Pyramid is not only a remarkable feat of engineering, but also an important work of art and human vision. Its perfect symmetry, monumental proportions and elegant proportions create a timeless beauty that continues to inspire admiration even after 4,600 years,” commented ElGabry.
Source: prizrenpost
