When the Greek historian Herodotus visited the pyramids of Giza in 450 BC he was struck with such awe and amazement that he included them in the famous list of Greek Ancient Wonders of the World. Little did he know that nearly 2500 years after he compiled his list, and 4500 years since their construction, the pyramids of Giza would be the only wonder of that inventory to remain.

What Herodotus and the millions of tourists have seen on the plains of Giza is perhaps one of human kinds greatest achievements. It is with wonder that you gaze up at the 3 millions blocks of limestone quarried and constructed into the glorious tomb which would transport the soul of the Pharaoh into the afterlife.

Contrary to earlier belief, the pyramids of Giza were not built by 100 000 slaves. Rather by the citizens of Egypt, unable to work during the months of June, July and August when the river Nile would flood. The Pharaoh offered these men food, shelter and work in return for their service. The remains of entombed bodies found near the pyramids point to the workers wanting to be buried near their king. Would a Pharaoh really want these men buried so near to his grand tomb if they were merely slaves?

The construction of the Pyramids, built by Cheops or Khufu as he is commonly known, his grandson Khafra and Menkaura has long been debated by Egyptologists. Indeed one of the key questions is why is Khufu's, the first to be built, the largest of the three? Surely ancient technology should have advanced and improved upon his work. Perhaps one answer is in the theory that Khufu murdered his chief architect to prevent his designs being duplicated in a grander scale. There are two trains of thought as to how the ancient Egyptians could have raised blocks, weighing upwards of 2.5 tonnes, into such an impresive monument. The Ramp Theory states that a giant causeway was built around the pyramid on which the blocks would be rolled up. As the pyramid rose, so to would the ramp. The second theory suggests that a sand would have been compacted with rocks and mud around the pyramid as it was built. With each new level the sand would be raised so the blocks could be dragged into position. Afterwards, as with the ramp theory, the sand would be cleared away and the outer casing of limestone added from the top downwards.

Whatever the method, and whatever the purpose, the pyramids are simply spectacular. An opportunity to enter the burial shaft is not to be missed, but is also not one for the claustrophobic tourist as the tunnel is quite narrow. In front of Khafru's pyramid the famous face of the Sphinx sits gracefully, guarding the pyramids from evil. When discovered by Arabic tribes in circa 600 AD it was said to be buried up to its face, as too were the pyramids which were nearly half buried in the shifting sands.

The Sphinx, said to be Khafru's face upon a lion's body is an intimidating monument, relieved of its nose by the French Emperor Napoleon who fired cannon balls at it after the death of one of his troops at the hands of an Egyptian.

The pyramids of Giza are inescapable. From all parts of Cairo and Giza they are visible. Indeed, advancing armies in recent centuries have commented that they are able to be seen from as far away as 100 miles.

Still considered one of human kinds greatest feats, rarely have 100 000 people worked co-operatively on a single task for upwards of 20 years, the pyramids provide you with an understanding of how advanced and developed the ancient Egyptians were. Perhaps it is jealousy that have allowed us to establish theories of extra-terrestrial involvement in their construction.

They are simply the greatest monuments I have ever seen. I doubt whether anything my generation build will be left standing and be admired in the year 7500 AD.