<P> This complex of ancient monuments includes the three pyramid complexes known as the Great Pyramids, the massive sculpture known as the Great Sphinx, several cemeteries, a workers' village and an industrial complex . It is located in the Western Desert, approximately 9 km (5 mi) west of the Nile river at the old town of Giza, and about 13 km (8 mi) southwest of Cairo city centre . </P> <P> The pyramids, which have historically been common as emblems of ancient Egypt in the Western imagination, were popularised in Hellenistic times, when the Great Pyramid was listed by Antipater of Sidon as one of the Seven Wonders of the World . It is by far the oldest of the ancient Wonders and the only one still in existence . </P> <P> The Pyramids of Giza consist of the Great Pyramid of Giza (also known as the Pyramid of Cheops or Khufu and constructed c. 2560--2540 BC), the somewhat smaller Pyramid of Khafre (or Chephren) a few hundred meters to the south - west, and the relatively modest - sized Pyramid of Menkaure (or Mykerinos) a few hundred meters farther south - west . The Great Sphinx lies on the east side of the complex . Current consensus among Egyptologists is that the head of the Great Sphinx is that of Khafre . Along with these major monuments are a number of smaller satellite edifices, known as "queens" pyramids, causeways and valley pyramids . </P> <P> Khufu's pyramid complex consists of a valley temple, now buried beneath the village of Nazlet el - Samman; basalt paving and nummulitic limestone walls have been found but the site has not been excavated . The valley temple was connected to a causeway which was largely destroyed when the village was constructed . The causeway led to the Mortuary Temple of Khufu . From this temple the basalt pavement is the only thing that remains . The mortuary temple was connected to the king's pyramid . The king's pyramid has three smaller queen's pyramids associated with it and five boat pits . The boat pits contained a ship, and the 2 pits on the south side of the pyramid still contained intact ships . One of these ships has been restored and is on display . Khufu's pyramid still has a limited collection of casing stones at its base . These casing stones were made of fine white limestone quarried from the nearby range . </P>

When did construction on the great pyramid of giza begin