The precise age of the pyramids of Giza has long been debated because, until
now, there has been little evidence to prove when the pyramids were built. The
history books generally point to 3200 B.C. as the approximate date when the
pyramid of Khufu was under construction. But how exactly do Egyptologists
date the pyramids? Like past excavations, the current dig at Giza
attempts to bring us closer to pinpointing the time period during which
the pyramids were built. NOVA Online's interviews with two experts reveal the
results of recent carbon dating on the pyramids, and shed further light on the
process Egyptologists must go through to decipher the age of these great
monuments. NOVA Online invites those who have questions or comments about the
age of the pyramids and the Sphinx to e-mail the
excavation.
ZAHI HAWASS, Director General of Giza
NOVA: There have been claims that a great civilization predates ancient
dynastic Egypt—one that existed some 10,500 years B.C.—and that this
civilization was responsible for building the pyramids and sculpting the
Sphinx. Is this possible?
HAWASS: Of course it is not possible for one reason. Until now there is no
evidence at all that has been found in any place, not only at Giza, but also in
Egypt. People have been excavating in Egypt for the last 200 years. No single
artifact, no single inscription, or pottery, or anything has been found until
now, in any place to predate the Egyptian civilization more than 5,000 years
ago.
NOVA: What evidence do you have that the pyramids and tombs at Giza were from,
as you say, no more than 5,000 years ago.
HAWASS: First of all you have inscriptions that are written inside the tombs,
the tombs that are located on the west side of the Great Pyramid for the
officials, and the tombs that are located on the east side of the Great Pyramid
for the nobles, the family of the King Khufu. And you have this lady, the
daughter of Khufu. And this man was the vizier of the king. This one was the
inspector of the pyramids, the chief inspector of the pyramids, the wife of the
pyramid, the priest of the pyramid. You have the inscriptions and you have
pottery dated to Dynasty 4. You have inscriptions that they found of someone
who was the overseer of the side of the Pyramid of Khufu. And another one who
was the overseer of the west side of the pyramid. You have tombs of the
workmen who built the pyramids that we found, with at least 30 titles that have
been found on them to connect the Great Pyramid of Khufu to Dynasty 4. You
have the bakery that Mark Lehner found. And all the evidence that we excavate
here.
The precise age of the pyramids of Giza has long been debated because, until
now, there has been little evidence to prove when the pyramids were built. The
history books generally point to 3200 B.C. as the approximate date when the
pyramid of Khufu was under construction. But how exactly do Egyptologists
date the pyramids? Like past excavations, the 
HAWASS: First of all you have inscriptions that are written inside the tombs,
the tombs that are located on the west side of the Great Pyramid for the
officials, and the tombs that are located on the east side of the Great Pyramid
for the nobles, the family of the King Khufu. And you have this lady, the
daughter of Khufu. And this man was the vizier of the king. This one was the
inspector of the pyramids, the chief inspector of the pyramids, the wife of the
pyramid, the priest of the pyramid. You have the inscriptions and you have
pottery dated to Dynasty 4. You have inscriptions that they found of someone
who was the overseer of the side of the Pyramid of Khufu. And another one who
was the overseer of the west side of the pyramid. You have tombs of the
workmen who built the pyramids that we found, with at least 30 titles that have
been found on them to connect the Great Pyramid of Khufu to Dynasty 4. You
have the bakery that Mark Lehner found. And all the evidence that we excavate
here.