"On this day [26 May] in 1954, one of the oldest and largest boats on earth was found buried near Egypt’s biggest pyramid. Today’s Doodle celebrates the discovery of the Khufu Ship, which has survived more than 4,600 years, although its true purpose remains a mystery," writes Google in the description of the doodle celebrating Egypt's famed pharaonic boat.

The doodle has a large outreach and is visible across Asia, North Africa, all Russia, Australia, New Zealand and chosen parts of Europe.

Built for Khufu (Cheops), the second pharaoh of the Fourth Dynasty of the Old Kingdom of Egypt, the boat was used to transport the pharaoh’s body to his final resting place.

Some, however, believe that the boat was a symbolic means of transportation of the pharaoh's soul to heaven.

Khufu's first solar boat was discovered by the late architect and archaeologist Kamal El-Malakh, together with Zaki Nour, during routine cleaning on the south side of the Great Pyramid.

The first boat was removed piece by piece under the supervision of master restorer Ahmed Youssef, who spent more than 20 years restoring and reassembling the boat.

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