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