Herodotus, the ancient Greek historian, is our best written account, as to how the Pyramids were built.
Personally, I am a little impartial as to the accuracy of his descriptions of how the Pyramids were built, as the story was told many decades later. I just started wondering, if the account was accurate, how could short pieces of timber be used in the building of the Pyramids. Additionally, timbers that could be easily moved and reassembled by a few men. He also said the stones were "drawn". This would imply, the stones were pulled, and not lifted. In Ancient times, the Greeks refereed to devises made of rope and timber, as machines. Likely, they considered anything which gave them a mechanical advantage, a machine.
"they raised the remaining stones with machines made of short pieces of timber"
"it was drawn to the second upon another machine" To pull or drag so as to make it follow behind. [www.google.com]
[www.cheops-pyramide.ch]
125. This pyramid was made after the manner of steps, which some call "rows" and others "bases": and when they had first made it thus, they raised the remaining stones with machines made of short pieces of timber, raising them first from the ground to the first stage of the steps, and when the stone got up to this it was placed upon another machine standing on the first stage, and so from this it was drawn to the second upon another machine; for as many as were the courses of the steps, so many machines there were also, or perhaps they transferred one and the same machine, made so as easily to be carried, to each stage successively, in order that they might take up the stones; for let it be told in both ways, according as it is reported. However that may be, the highest parts of it were finished first, and afterwords they proceeded to finish that which came next to them, and lastly they finished the parts of it near the ground and the lowest ranges. On the pyramid it is declared in Egyptian writing how much was spent on radishes and onions and leeks for the workmen, and if I rightly remember that which the interpreter said in reading to me this inscription, a sum of one thousand six hundred talents of silver was spent; and if this is so, how much besides is likely to have been expended upon the iron with which they worked, and upon bread and clothing for the workmen, seeing that they were building the works for the time which has been mentioned and were occupied for no small time besides, as I suppose, in the cutting and bringing of the stones and in working at the excavation under the ground?
Some basic Pyramid construction facts.
Up to 35 meters height:
The construction of the first 35 meters of the pyramid was the most labor-intensive, as that amounts to over 50% of the total volume.
A fun example using Sketchup. The pressure on the short ramp, would be directed down and to the back. This system is modular. A close look will reveal a ramp with stairs contained within. A dual purpose. Multiply them and they grow in capacity to raise larger stones. The next question is, how did they pull them up? Was it done by many men pulling on ropes, or was a Funicular system harnessed?
Noted peculiarities while designing:
1. Dimension's of average stone size, and angle, makes for a comfortable raise in the steps. The 7-11 rule.
2. Can be taken apart, moved and reassembled in a matter of minutes.
3. One step is actually the surface of the prior laid stone. Fits into the 7-11 rule,ie. the standard raise and depth of common stairs used throughout the world. 7 inches high with an 11" footing/depth. If you would like, I can give you a schematic showing average stone size, incline angle, and how the 7-11 staircase rule fits into those dimensions. These images were created in Sketchup. If you wish to view them in 3D, you can download Sketchup Viewer for free
, and I will forward the files. This will allow you to zoom in and orbit around.
Truly hope everyone is doing well.
Steve
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Short pieces of timber, turned into a stair system. Can still function as a ramp.
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Last picture shown is, an incline lift and a shallow pit. The lift is lowered back into the shallow pit, a new rock is pushed on, remaining level, and is pulled up using ropes. Ropes which were possibly attached to a Funicular system on the Causeway.
Personally, I am a little impartial as to the accuracy of his descriptions of how the Pyramids were built, as the story was told many decades later. I just started wondering, if the account was accurate, how could short pieces of timber be used in the building of the Pyramids. Additionally, timbers that could be easily moved and reassembled by a few men. He also said the stones were "drawn". This would imply, the stones were pulled, and not lifted. In Ancient times, the Greeks refereed to devises made of rope and timber, as machines. Likely, they considered anything which gave them a mechanical advantage, a machine.
"they raised the remaining stones with machines made of short pieces of timber"
"it was drawn to the second upon another machine" To pull or drag so as to make it follow behind. [www.google.com]
[www.cheops-pyramide.ch]
125. This pyramid was made after the manner of steps, which some call "rows" and others "bases": and when they had first made it thus, they raised the remaining stones with machines made of short pieces of timber, raising them first from the ground to the first stage of the steps, and when the stone got up to this it was placed upon another machine standing on the first stage, and so from this it was drawn to the second upon another machine; for as many as were the courses of the steps, so many machines there were also, or perhaps they transferred one and the same machine, made so as easily to be carried, to each stage successively, in order that they might take up the stones; for let it be told in both ways, according as it is reported. However that may be, the highest parts of it were finished first, and afterwords they proceeded to finish that which came next to them, and lastly they finished the parts of it near the ground and the lowest ranges. On the pyramid it is declared in Egyptian writing how much was spent on radishes and onions and leeks for the workmen, and if I rightly remember that which the interpreter said in reading to me this inscription, a sum of one thousand six hundred talents of silver was spent; and if this is so, how much besides is likely to have been expended upon the iron with which they worked, and upon bread and clothing for the workmen, seeing that they were building the works for the time which has been mentioned and were occupied for no small time besides, as I suppose, in the cutting and bringing of the stones and in working at the excavation under the ground?
Some basic Pyramid construction facts.
Up to 35 meters height:
The construction of the first 35 meters of the pyramid was the most labor-intensive, as that amounts to over 50% of the total volume.
A fun example using Sketchup. The pressure on the short ramp, would be directed down and to the back. This system is modular. A close look will reveal a ramp with stairs contained within. A dual purpose. Multiply them and they grow in capacity to raise larger stones. The next question is, how did they pull them up? Was it done by many men pulling on ropes, or was a Funicular system harnessed?
Noted peculiarities while designing:
1. Dimension's of average stone size, and angle, makes for a comfortable raise in the steps. The 7-11 rule.
2. Can be taken apart, moved and reassembled in a matter of minutes.
3. One step is actually the surface of the prior laid stone. Fits into the 7-11 rule,ie. the standard raise and depth of common stairs used throughout the world. 7 inches high with an 11" footing/depth. If you would like, I can give you a schematic showing average stone size, incline angle, and how the 7-11 staircase rule fits into those dimensions. These images were created in Sketchup. If you wish to view them in 3D, you can download Sketchup Viewer for free
, and I will forward the files. This will allow you to zoom in and orbit around.
Truly hope everyone is doing well.
Steve
Short pieces of timber, turned into a stair system. Can still function as a ramp.
Last picture shown is, an incline lift and a shallow pit. The lift is lowered back into the shallow pit, a new rock is pushed on, remaining level, and is pulled up using ropes. Ropes which were possibly attached to a Funicular system on the Causeway.