Construction of the Pyramids: Ramps

[exchemist]

I thought this was interesting new evidence to support the hypothesis that the Egyptians used ramps to lift the block to the height needed: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2...ows-light-on-mystery-of-pyramids-construction

Two new points:

1) the presence of post holes, possibly signifying that ropes could have been passed around them to allow those below the block to help those above to pull it up, and

2) the unexpected steepness of the ramp, which would have greatly reduced the volume of material needed to make it, compared to what had previously been assumed.

The two findings are nicely complementary, making the ramp method considerably more efficient than had been thought up to now.

 

[Gawdzilla Sama]

Do we have any evidence that the Egyptians used pulleys?

 

[DaveC426913]

Do we have any evidence that the Egyptians used pulleys?

History seems to suggest pulleys were not invented for another few millennia.

It's possible that might be an overreach or just sloppy wording in the article.

Ropes around posts would still help with moving blocks, even if they didn't actually use pulleys.

 

[iceaura]

Do we have any evidence that the Egyptians used pulleys?

They may have used rollers and parbuckling.

 

[exchemist]

History seems to suggest pulleys were not invented for another few millennia.

It's possible that might be an overreach or just sloppy wording in the article.

Ropes around posts would still help with moving blocks, even if they didn't actually use pulleys.

Yes I took it to mean they just passed the ropes round posts and pulled on them.

 

[Gawdzilla Sama]

They may have used rollers and parbuckling.

So not pulleys.

 

[sculptor]

So not pulleys.

perhaps

 

[Dinosaur]

In the absence of finding Some document describing the construction, we can only make educated guesses.

 

[DaveC426913]

In the absence of finding Some document describing the construction, we can only make educated guesses.

That's not true. There is physical evidence.

 

[iceaura]

So not pulleys.

Axled wheels - the prerequisite for a true pulley - apparently did not yet exist, or if they did lacked sufficient development, for pulleys of the kind necessary. Egypt may have had pottery wheels and the like, but for heavy work this seems to have been the cutting edge tech: https://egyptianpulley.com/photo-and-sketches

 

[Gawdzilla Sama]

perhaps

Absence is evidence of absence.

 

[gmilam]

Several years ago I read something about "petrie rockers". The only reference I can currently find is:

http://www.gigalresearch.com/uk/partenaires-gigal.php

(Bottom of page)

Has anyone else read about these? It made sense to me, but I may be missing something.

 

[DaveC426913]

Several years ago I read something about "petrie rockers". The only reference I can currently find is:

http://www.gigalresearch.com/uk/partenaires-gigal.php

(Bottom of page)

Has anyone else read about these? It made sense to me, but I may be missing something.

I saw a guy move an entire house by himself with just a fulcrum. He walked it across his farm, to demonstrate that the Egyptians could have done it.

 

[iceaura]

Several years ago I read something about "petrie rockers". The only reference I can currently find is:
http://www.gigalresearch.com/uk/partenaires-gigal.php
Has anyone else read about these? It made sense to me, but I may be missing something.

Paul Hai has a web presence.
In addition to calling this a "pulley", which it is not (it is a parbuckling technique), and the reliance on the steps (leaving a critical phase of the construction of smooth sided pyramids unexplained), the following detail increases wariness:

When this happens the pulley can lift a 2500kg Pyramid block with a mechanical advantage of 2.8 (which is equivalent to a lifting effort of 90kg) onto the next Pyramid step, - -

The lifting effort would be nearer 900kg than 90.
But it is a clever idea, and within the known tech capabilities of the time.

Some guy has calculated that during construction the builders were installing a block of stone every five minutes, on average, for thirty years.

 

[Xelasnave.1947]

I think what is interesting is say in the case of the great pyramid if they worked 24/7 for 20 years we find that approx 14 blocks need to be quarried transported and laid each and every hour for that 20 year period...or if forty years 7 an hour 24/7.
Busy busy busy☺
Or are my numbers wrong.
Alex

 

[sculptor]

Absence is evidence of absence.

we know so little

 

[sideshowbob]

I think what is interesting is say in the case of the great pyramid if they worked 24/7 for 20 years we find that approx 14 blocks need to be quarried transported and laid each and every hour for that 20 year period...or if forty years 7 an hour 24/7.
Busy busy busy☺
Or are my numbers wrong.
Alex

Archeologists have found the workers' city: https://www.livescience.com/28961-ancient-giza-pyramid-builders-camp-unearthed.html

"Based on animal bone findings, nutritional data, and other discoveries at this workers' town site, the archaeologists estimate that more than 4,000 pounds of meat — from cattle, sheep and goats — were slaughtered every day, on average, to feed the pyramid builders."​

 

[el es]

The remains of the ramp:

https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/giza-pyramids-ramp-scli-intl/index.html

A layer of mud would have covered the ramp while the workers used the steps.

I would need to see a drawing of just how the posts were used. How wide is the ramp?

 

[Xelasnave.1947]

Archeologists have found the workers' city: https://www.livescience.com/28961-ancient-giza-pyramid-builders-camp-unearthed.html

"Based on animal bone findings, nutritional data, and other discoveries at this workers' town site, the archaeologists estimate that more than 4,000 pounds of meat — from cattle, sheep and goats — were slaughtered every day, on average, to feed the pyramid builders."​

Thanks.
Alex

 

[Xelasnave.1947]

They probably had ramps on all sides simply to accomodate the numbers of stones being laid...you could think.
Alex