26th century BCE – 25th century BCE
Giza, Egypt
Cheops’ Boat is a large ancient Egyptian vessel discovered in a rock-cut pit beside the Great Pyramid. Reconstructed from 1224 wooden pieces, it measured about 43.4 metres long and used mortise-and-tenon joints and ropes rather than nails. Its design illustrates Egyptian expertise in woodworking, river transport and monumental funerary construction.
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The Story
Two great pits were discovered in 1952 along the southern side of the Great Pyramid, covered by massive limestone slabs. One contained a complete but partially disassembled boat associated with Cheops, including oars, cabins and rudders. The vessel was removed, restored and placed in a special museum, while another boat remained in its pit.
The reconstructed boat was assembled from 1224 pieces of wood arranged in thirteen layers. It measured approximately 43.4 metres long and 5.9 metres wide, with a capacity of about forty tons. Its flat bottom and shallow draught suited river navigation, while its central cabin and covered bow shelter formed part of a substantial ceremonial and practical structure.
The boat was built without nails. Planks, timbers and cross-members were joined with mortise-and-tenon connections and tied together with ropes, making disassembly and reassembly possible. This construction method exemplifies the technical knowledge that also enabled Egyptian expeditions to transport boats in sections for distant operations.
26th century BCE – 25th century BCE
Giza, Egypt
Cheops’ Boat is a large ancient Egyptian vessel discovered in a rock-cut pit beside the Great Pyramid. Reconstructed from 1224 wooden pieces, it measured about 43.4 metres long and used mortise-and-tenon joints and ropes rather than nails. Its design illustrates Egyptian expertise in woodworking, river transport and monumental funerary construction.
Continue exploring
The Story
Two great pits were discovered in 1952 along the southern side of the Great Pyramid, covered by massive limestone slabs. One contained a complete but partially disassembled boat associated with Cheops, including oars, cabins and rudders. The vessel was removed, restored and placed in a special museum, while another boat remained in its pit.
The reconstructed boat was assembled from 1224 pieces of wood arranged in thirteen layers. It measured approximately 43.4 metres long and 5.9 metres wide, with a capacity of about forty tons. Its flat bottom and shallow draught suited river navigation, while its central cabin and covered bow shelter formed part of a substantial ceremonial and practical structure.
The boat was built without nails. Planks, timbers and cross-members were joined with mortise-and-tenon connections and tied together with ropes, making disassembly and reassembly possible. This construction method exemplifies the technical knowledge that also enabled Egyptian expeditions to transport boats in sections for distant operations.
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