To the south of the pyramid were cut places for the wooden boats. These boats were intended for the use of the king in his journeys during the day time and at night with the sun-god Re as well as for crossing rivers and lakes of the hereafter.
The actual boat, now in exhibition in a special building beside the Great Pyramid, was discovered in 1954. It was found dismantled under limestone blocks and plaster. Also found were the ropes for rigging and matting. The process of reassembly took more than 10 years. The boat is 44 m long and 6 m wide with an estimated displacement of more than 45 tons. Hundreds of pieces of shaped wood comprise the hull which was held together with ropes. Since wet wood swells and rope shrinks, the boat would become water tight in water, making caulking unnecessar...
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