~2490 BCE Egyptian

Pyramid of Menkaure Built

Giza, Egypt (29.9725°N, 31.1283°E)

Detailed Account

Smallest of the three Giza pyramids (65m tall). The lower 16 courses are clad in Aswan granite rather than limestone — a material 4x harder, quarried 800 km away. The interior contains an intricate basalt sarcophagus with palace-facade decoration. When the three Giza pyramids are mapped onto Orion's belt, Menkaure corresponds to Mintaka — the smallest and most offset star.

Geographic Context

Location Giza, Egypt
Latitude 29.972500° N
Longitude 31.128300° E