Egypt: King Cheops Boat

Located high above Cairo sits the Giza Plain , site of the Ancient pyramids of Giza . Sitting on the highest land for miles around with an ancient dry river valley to the north of the pyramids, it is hard to envision how these ancient monuments could have been constructed. Next to the greatest pyramid of all, the ancient pyramid of Cheops, is a museum containing the personal boat of Cheops.

The boat is 143 feet long and 19 1/2 feet widewith an estimated displacement of more than 45 tons The Cheops Boat is one of the largestancient boats found to date. The Viking boats, found inEurope, are not more than 100 feet long.

Discovered in 1954 under limestone blocks and plaster, it was in amazingly good condition with both the wood preserved and also the ropes used for rigging and matting. Taking more than 10 years to reassemble, the boat is now displayed in a special building near the pyramid of Cheops(Khufu).

In later years another similar boat has been discovered, possibly belonging to one of his queens, once work is resumed and the new boat is assembled, perhaps more will be known about it. Much is still to be learned of life during this time in ancient Egypt.

Although the boat  wasn';t  intended for traveling long distances, it is linked to  the "wia", or boat of the sun-god. The Egyptians believed the journey through creation was a boat journey, comparing a journey through the air as traveling up the Nile River.

The sunrise was very important to the Egyptians as they saw in it their own resurrection after death.Not intended for long journeys, no one knows for sure if the boat was used to convey the dead pharaoh through the various stages of embalment and purification  in the actual funeral rites, or if it had been used by the pharaoh during his life time for transport to various functions within the immediate area. Being as large as it is, many supplies and personal assistants could have been carried with him.If it had been used during his lifetime, it was obviously used to carry his body to it's final resting place.

The pyramids of Giza are one of the most interesting places on the planet to visit,(be sure to bring your camera ) much is still to be discovered about this ancient land, most of which has been a fascination and mystery to mankind since the beginning of our time .

Gary is a travel writer and photographer living in Sarasota, Florida . He maintains a website featuring some of his travel photos and markets a line of products featuring many of his photos.