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What's the mainstream explanation for the complete lack of writings, carvings and reliefs in the Great Pyramid?


The Great Pyramid of Giza, built during the Fourth Dynasty of the Old Kingdom of Egypt, is remarkable for its architectural grandeur and engineering precision. One of the notable features of the Great Pyramid is its lack of inscriptions, carvings, or reliefs commonly found in other Egyptian tombs and monuments. Mainstream explanations for this absence include: 1. **Function of the Pyramid**: The Great Pyramid was primarily constructed as a tomb for Pharaoh Khufu (Cheops). It was designed to facilitate his journey in the afterlife, and its interior may have been intended to be a private and sacred space. The lack of decoration could suggest that the interior was not meant to be seen by anyone other than the pharaoh in the afterlife. 2. **Focus on the Exterior**: It is believed that the Egyptians placed greater emphasis on the external aspect of the pyramid’s construction as a manifestation of the pharaoh’s power and divinity. The Great Pyramid was covered in polished Tura limestone that would have gleamed under the sun, making it a striking visual landmark. 3. **Evolution of Artistic Practices**: At the time the Great Pyramid was built, the tradition of wall reliefs and carvings may not have been as developed or emphasized as in later periods, such as in the Middle Kingdom and New Kingdom, when elaborate tombs became the norm. 4. **Destruction and Weathering**: It is also possible that some original decorative features may have existed but have since eroded, been removed, or destroyed over the millennia due to natural wear, quarrying, or repurposing of materials during later rebuilding efforts. 5. **Symbolism of the Pyramid Shape**: The pyramid itself was highly symbolic, representing a stairway to the heavens, which could have made additional inscriptions redundant in conveying its religious significance. Overall, the lack of writings and reliefs in the Great Pyramid remains an intriguing aspect of Egyptology, prompting ongoing research and speculation among historians and archaeologists.