Final answer:
The statement is generally true; pyramids such as the Great Pyramid of Giza are aligned with the cardinal points, demonstrating the Egyptians' sophisticated understanding of astronomy. The alignment served practical and religious purposes, such as the shaft directed towards Thuban, the North Star at that time.
Step-by-step explanation:
The orientation of the faces of the pyramids toward the cardinal points is generally true, particularly for the Great Pyramid of Giza, which has its sides closely aligned with the north, south, east, and west directions. This alignment is one of the most compelling evidences of the ancient Egyptians' advanced understanding of astronomy and engineering. When considering the Great Pyramid of Giza, constructed nearly 5000 years ago, it's noteworthy that the pyramid's design included a shaft leading from the central chamber outwards, which was oriented towards the star Thuban. During the era of its construction, Thuban was the North Star due to the Earth's precession, a phenomenon where the Earth's rotational axis slowly changes direction over time. This star likely held significant importance in ancient Egyptian cosmology and may have played a role in their religious practices or been used as an orientation point for building these architectural wonders.
Regarding the circumpolar stars, these are stars that never set below the horizon and can be seen circling around the celestial poles. More stars appear circumpolar for observers at higher latitudes because as the latitude increases, the celestial pole rises higher above the horizon, bringing more stars into perpetual visibility above the horizon.