Final answer:
The Great Pyramids at Giza were primarily constructed using cut limestone. Granite was used for certain internal structures. These pyramids, including the Great Pyramid of Khufu, exemplify the engineering prowess of Ancient Egypt and were made possible by the Nile River's resources and organized labor. So, the correct answer is Option 4: Cut Limestone.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Great Pyramids at Giza, from the Old Kingdom in Egypt (c. 2550 - 2490 BCE), were primarily constructed using cut limestone.
Among the materials mentioned, granite was used as well, particularly for the inner chambers and passageways.
The massive scale of construction can be illustrated by the Great Pyramid of Khufu, which is the largest out of the three main pyramids at Giza.
It consists of over 2.5 million stone blocks, each weighing about 2.5 tons, testifying to Ancient Egypt's sophisticated engineering capabilities and the power of the pharaohs.
Historians and archaeologists have studied these iconic structures extensively, noting their precise alignment with the cardinal points and the incredible organization required for their construction.
The Great Pyramid of Khufu, for instance, served as a burial site and was an architectural marvel, with its original height of 481 feet and covering a base area equivalent to four city blocks.
These pyramids represent a peak in Egyptian prosperity and ingenuity, made possible by the resources provided by the Nile River and the organized labor of skilled workers, who were not slaves but likely free laborers employed by the king.
The construction process may have involved the use of earth ramps, which were later removed, and their smooth-sided external appearance was achieved using white limestone casing stones, which in some cases have been eroded or removed over the millennia.
So, the correct answer is Option 4: Cut Limestone.