Egyptian pyramids were built with ramps, not alien technology according to several sources, but how can they be sure? They are a wonder that have left scientists and engineers scratching their heads for years. How did heavy rock slabs get placed, higher and higher to construct the iconic shape?
Photo of the Sphinx at Giza.
It seems there may be an answer, and it wasn't aliens after all. Researchers have uncovered a sophisticated ramp system dating back 4,500 years. Located at Hatnub, a rock quarry in Egypt's Eastern Desert, the ramp was used to transport massive alabaster stones up steep angles and into place during pyramid construction.
Photo of the three pyramids of Giza build by king Khufu around 2550 BCE.
The ropes allowed rock-movers to multiply their efforts, making it possible to pull a sled up the ramp, even though the sled was topped with a rock that weighed an average of 2.5 tons (2.3 metric tons) though some sources say each slab weighed 3 tons.
Egyptologists have surmised for some time that ramps were used when the pyramids were built. However, the discovery of this ramp system shows that the stones were hauled at a far steeper angle than was previously suspected.
The three Giza pyramids were built for each of three pharaohs, Khufu, Khafre and Menkaure, the Great Pyramid being the largest at 481 feet (146 m) tall.
Have a wonderful day!
Prof. Carl Boniface
Vocabulary builder:
Ramps (n) = an access ramp is inclined and very convenient for disabled people, as stairs are difficult to climb. A hump that provides facility to escalate and carry heavy loads.
Wonder (n) = miracle, phenomenon, marvel, sensation, curiosity, spectacle
Sled (n) = bobsled, toboggin, sledge
Slab (n) = lump, chunk, block, hunk, piece, portion, wedge
Hauled (v) = towed, dragged, lugged, tugged
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