Jamie has been assigned to replicate the pyramids of Giza in Egypt, what type of pyramids are these? Describe the attributes

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The pyramids in Giza, Egypt, are known as the Great Pyramids. These pyramids were built as tombs for the pharaohs during the Old Kingdom period of ancient Egypt. The Great Pyramids consist of three main pyramids:

1. The Pyramid of Khufu (or the Great Pyramid of Giza): It is the largest and oldest pyramid, built for Pharaoh Khufu. It stands approximately 481.4 feet (147 meters) tall and originally covered an area of around 13.1 acres. It was constructed with an estimated 2.3 million stone blocks and was once covered with a smooth casing of limestone.

2. The Pyramid of Khafre: This pyramid is the second-largest in Giza and was built for Pharaoh Khafre, who was the son of Khufu. It stands approximately 471 feet (143 meters) tall and is slightly shorter than the Great Pyramid. The pyramid was constructed using a higher quality of stones and still retains some of its original casing stones on the upper portions, giving it a more complete appearance.

3. The Pyramid of Menkaure: The smallest of the three pyramids, it was built for Pharaoh Menkaure (also known as Mycerinus) and stands approximately 213 feet (65 meters) tall. This pyramid is more simplified in design and was most likely built on a smaller scale due to limited resources during its construction.

All three pyramids were constructed using limestone blocks, with intricate internal passages and chambers. They were initially covered in a smooth casing of white limestone which has mostly weathered away over time. The pyramids were surrounded by temples, causeways, and smaller satellite tombs for the pharaohs' relatives and officials. These structures were built on the west bank of the Nile River, facing towards the setting sun, as an important belief in ancient Egypt was that the pharaohs would join the sun god Ra in the afterlife.