Man fears Time, yet Time fears the Pyramids
——Arab proverb

It is the one and only Wonder which does not require a description by early historians and poets. It is the one and only Wonder that does not need speculations concerning its appearance, size, and shape. It is the oldest, yet it is the only surviving of the Seven Ancient Wonders. It is the Great Pyramid of Giza[1].

Location
　　At the city of Giza, a necropolis of ancient Memphis[2], and today part of Greater Cairo, Egypt.

History
　　Contrary to the common belief, only the Great Pyramid of Khufu (Cheops)[3], not all three Great Pyramids, is on top of the list of Wonders. The monument was built by the Egyptian pharaoh Khufu of the Fourth Dynasty around the year 2560 BC to serve as a tomb when he dies.

The great pyramid is believed to have been built over a 20 year period. The site was first prepared, and blocks of stone were transported and placed. An outer casing (which disappeared over the years) was then used to smooth the surface. Although it is not known how the blocks were put in place[4], several theories have been proposed.One theory involves the construction of a straight or spiral ramp that was raised as the construction proceeded. This ramp, coated[5] with mud and water, eased the displacement of the blocks which were pushed (or pulled) into place.A second theory suggests that the blocks were placed using long levers with a short angled foot.
Throughout their history, the pyramids of Giza have stimulated human imagination. They were referred to as "The Granaries of Joseph[6]" and "The Mountains of Pharaoh". When Napoleon invaded Egypt in 1798, his pride was expressed through his famous quote: "Soldiers! From the top of these Pyramids, 40 centuries are looking at us."
Today, the Great Pyramid is enclosed, together with the other pyramids and the Sphinx, in the touristic region of the Giza Plateau. Also in the area is the museum housing the mysterious Sun Boat, only discovered in 1954 near the south side of the pyramid. The boat is believed to have been used to carry the body of Khufu in his last journey on earth before being buried inside the pyramid. It may also serve him as a means of [7] transportation in his afterlife journey according to Ancient Egyptian beliefs.

埃及的金字塔

　　它是一个也是唯一的一个无需借助于史学家和诗人的描述的奇观，同时也是唯一的一个无需（我们）推测它的外观、大小、和形状的奇观。它是七大奇观中最古老的一个，然而却也是唯一幸存下来的一个。这就是吉萨的大金字塔。

位置：位于吉萨城。吉萨城曾是孟斐斯城超度亡灵的地方，现在是埃及首都大开罗的一部分。

历史：同（我们）的普遍认识恰恰相反，只有胡夫的大金字塔，而非所有三座大金字塔，排在七大奇观之首。这座纪念物是由埃及第四王朝的法老，胡夫，在公元前2560年建造的，作为他死后的坟墓。

　　人们认为建造这座大金字塔花去了20多年的时间。首先是筹建工地，然后运输和安置石块。接着用一个外部的模框（它已经消失多年了）来磨光（石块的）表面。尽管无人确知古埃及人是怎样把是石块放到恰当的位置上的，但已有好几种理论被提出来了。其中一种理论涉及到建造一条笔直的或螺旋型的并随着建设的进程不断地被加高的斜坡。这个斜坡覆盖着泥和水，这样就缓解了移置石块的困难，石块被推进（或拉进）恰当的位置上去。第二种理论则提出石块是由带有短弯脚的杠杆来放置上去的。

　　纵观历史，吉萨城的金字塔激发了人类的想象力。它们被认为是“约瑟的谷仓”和“法老的群山“。当拿破仑在1798年入侵埃及时，他的自豪感从他著名的话语中表露无遗：“士兵们！在这些金字塔的顶端，4000年的岁月俯视着我们。”

　　今天，大金字塔同其他金字塔以及狮身人面像一起被包括在吉萨高地的游览区内。放置着神秘的太阳船的博物馆也在这个区域内，而这艘太阳船于1954年才在金字塔的南侧被发现。这艘船被认作是用来在胡夫被埋葬在金字塔里面之前的最后一次地上旅行中运输他的尸体船只。根据古埃及人的信仰，它可能也是胡夫死后的交通工具。