The Cheops Boat is one of the largest ancient
boats found to date. The Viking boats, found in Europe, are not
more than 30 meters, whereas the Cheops Boat is 43.40 meters
long. The prow is formed in the shape of a papyrus bundle and
the rudder consists of two massive oars. Five giant oars on either
side were used to propel the boat. On deck, the main cabin contained
two rooms, one being the captain's quarters. Evidence of reed
mats were found as well as ropes which were used to bind the
various parts of the boat together. No metal nails were used
at all in its building.
The Cheops Boat was discovered in 1954
by Kamal al-Mallakh, then Antiquities Director of the Pyramids
area. He found two rectangular pits cut into the rock on the
south side of the Great Pyramid of Cheops, close to the base
of the pyramid. Each pit was about 30 meters long and was covered
with 41 large blocks of limestone weighing about 18 tons each.
A layer of thick mortar covered the stone blocks and helped protect
the contents of the pit against dampness, insects, and robbers.
The ancient Egyptians had placed the parts of the boat in systematic
order in 13 layers making up the major parts and totaling 1224
pieces, the largest being 23 meters long and the smallest, a
mere 10 cm.
Through a study of solar religion and funeral
rituals which were known in Egypt, it is possible to understand
the explanation behind the idea of burying boats of this kind
beside pyramids. It is believed that five boats were placed around
each pyramid, like that of Cheops. Some believe the wooden ship
was a "solar boat" intended to be used by the deceased
pharaoh in his eternal life as he journeyed across the sky from
east to west to be united with the solar god Re. Another theory
is that it was used as a funerary boat, to carry the body of
the late pharaoh in his pilgrimage before burial in the pyramid.
