<P> The Great Pyramid consists of an estimated 2.3 million blocks which most believe to have been transported from nearby quarries . The Tura limestone used for the casing was quarried across the river . The largest granite stones in the pyramid , found in the `` King 's '' chamber , weigh 25 to 80 tonnes and were transported from Aswan , more than 800 km ( 500 mi ) away . Traditionally , ancient Egyptians cut stone blocks by hammering into them wooden wedges , which were then soaked with water . As the water was absorbed , the wedges expanded , causing the rock to crack . Once they were cut , they were carried by boat either up or down the Nile River to the pyramid . It is estimated that 5.5 million tonnes of limestone , 8,000 tonnes of granite ( imported from Aswan ) , and 500,000 tonnes of mortar were used in the construction of the Great Pyramid . </P>
<P> The Great Pyramid consists of an estimated 2.3 million blocks which most believe to have been transported from nearby quarries . The Tura limestone used for the casing was quarried across the river . The largest granite stones in the pyramid , found in the `` King 's '' chamber , weigh 25 to 80 tonnes and were transported from Aswan , more than 800 km ( 500 mi ) away . Traditionally , ancient Egyptians cut stone blocks by hammering into them wooden wedges , which were then soaked with water . As the water was absorbed , the wedges expanded , causing the rock to crack . Once they were cut , they were carried by boat either up or down the Nile River to the pyramid . It is estimated that 5.5 million tonnes of limestone , 8,000 tonnes of granite ( imported from Aswan ) , and 500,000 tonnes of mortar were used in the construction of the Great Pyramid . </P>
how many blocks did it take to build the great pyramid of khufu
how many blocks did it take to build the great pyramid of khufu
2.3 million
2.3 million