The Second Pyramid

The 2nd Pyramid at Giza stands between the Great Pyramid and the 3rd Pyramid, but is a massive structure, almost as large as the Great Pyramid itself. The 2nd Pyramid's actual dimensions are - Length of side: 707.75 feet (214.5m), Height: 471 feet (143.5m), and Angle of Inclination: 53 degrees 7' 48''. Its construction is traditionally attributed to Khafre (Chephren) who reigned 2520-2494BC, although there is no physical evidence for this, only the written account of the Greek historian, Herodotus. This pyramid was built at a slightly higher elevation on the Giza Plateau, and often appears taller than the Great Pyramid - it is easily visibly distinguished by the presence of the higher levels of casing stones still intact near the apex. Below is an image of the 2nd pyramid taken by an orbiting satellite.

The satellite picture above shows a dramatic glimpse of what the pyramids must have looked like with all their original casing stones, hundreds of which you can see on the ground walking around this pyramid. The 2nd pyramid was built on a sloping area of the plateau, and the bedrock on the Western side has been excavated to create a level foundation. The walls of this enclosure have numerous small caves and are dotted with hyroglyphic inscriptions.