<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> 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>
when did construction on the great pyramid of giza begin
when did construction on the great pyramid of giza begin
c. 2560 -- 2540 BC
c. 2560 -- 2540 BC