More Theories On How The Egyptian Pyramids Were Built

Workers dragging stone blocks and building materials to the construction site of the Egyptian pyramids.

Despite centuries of study, excavation, and debate, the mystery of the Egyptian pyramids remains a topic of intense interest and the focus of many researchers’ efforts. Theories come from a range of sources and researchers from different eras. The earliest ones on how the Egyptian pyramids were built stem from ancient Greek civilization, which largely believed that the pyramids were constructed with slave labor and that huge stones were carved with a chisel, then dragged and lifted into position. The primary debate here centers on the methods the ancient Egyptians used to lift such heavy materials to high places, considering that the tallest Pyramid of Khufu is estimated to be 481 feet tall.

In a previous article, we talked about the Straight Ramp Theory, which is one of the most widely discussed theories, having been explored in both ancient times and the present day. The theory suggests that a single, long ramp was constructed from compacted material—possibly earth, mudbrick, or limestone chippings—and that it extended from ground level to the pyramid‘s core. The first documented account of this theory was provided by the Greek historian Herodotus (484 BCE - 425 BCE). Then, workers would drag massive stone bricks, using a rope or by hand, to form the pyramids. However, the key issue with the Straight Ramp Theory is that the ramp would have to be extremely long and sturdy to build the pyramid, posing significant challenges in both constructing the ramp itself and transporting it. Adding on, a ramp of that scale would have been discovered by archaeologists by now, whether through documentation or physical evidence; however, despite the age of the theory, no such evidence has been found.

In that article, we also looked at the Spiral External Ramp Theory. Similar to the first theory, it states that the ancient Egyptians used some sort of ramp. But this theory differs in that the ramp spiraled around the pyramid‘s exterior. Researcher Mark Lehner has advanced this theory because a spiral ramp has reduced steepness, making it more feasible for workers to have moved the blocks with less effort. Additionally, a spiral ramp can be more easily adjusted, as it would not be one steep incline but rather a series of shorter inclines, which better explains the variation in height among the current-day pyramids of Egypt. Of course, this theory is not without its criticisms, as, similar to the Straight Ramp Theory, no evidence of any ramp has been found whatsoever. Another concern is how the ancient Egyptians could have sustained such a ramp without it crumbling under the weight of the blocks as the ramp increased in both the number of spirals and in height. Nevertheless, this theory remains as one of the most accepted theories, if not the most accepted, on how the Egyptian pyramids were built.

However, there are also other theories regarding how these large pyramids were built. So far, we‘ve only talked about methods that use hard physical labor and not much technology. Moving to a more mechanical theory, the Lever and Counterweight Method proposes that the ancient Egyptians used a system of wooden beam levers and counterweights, such as heavy stones, to lift the blocks into place. The main support for this theory is that throughout other ancient civilizations, mechanical systems have been discovered, such as the shadoof, a hand-operated device for lifting water. The shadoof can be broadly traced back to ancient Egypt, particularly for irrigation near the Nile, which suggests that the ancient Egyptians had the technological capacity and the knowledge to invent mechanical systems that take advantage of fundamental physics. Through scaled models and simulations, researchers believe that with sufficient manpower, a basic lever system could have achieved the necessary lift without the use of a ramp. Yet, many argue that while levers might have worked for smaller blocks, the feasibility of this method becomes less clear when dealing with the enormous heft of multi-ton blocks.

Meanwhile, the water lubrication and sled dragging theory suggests that the ancient Egyptians used water to reduce friction and ease the transport of heavy stone blocks for pyramid construction. Experiments have shown that wet sand produces significantly less friction, which allows wooden sleds to glide more smoothly. Computer simulations indicate that teams of workers could efficiently drag multi-ton blocks over moistened surfaces. In practice, water could have been applied directly to the sand or even to the sleds themselves. This method may have been used in conjunction with ramp systems or employed separately during the initial phase, when stones were transported from the quarry to the construction site. While this theory effectively addresses the challenge of horizontal transportation, it does not explain the methods used to hoist the blocks to higher levels, which is the primary concern in any pyramid-building theory. This method highlights the innovative use of natural resources and simple technology and could have likely been a viable method for transporting stone blocks from different locations.

The mystery of how the Egyptian pyramids were built continues to intrigue scholars and enthusiasts alike despite centuries of meticulous scholarship and disputes. Traditional explanations, ranging from the Straight Ramp Theory to the Spiral External Ramp Theory, have long provided valid answers for the transportation and placement of massive stone blocks. Mechanical solutions, such as lever and counterweight mechanisms, and innovative applications of water lubrication and sled pulling, have also made our understanding of this age-old problem better. One solution has yet to provide the total answer, however, and the real story of how the ancient Egyptians constructed the pyramid remains somewhat unsolved.

Recent breakthroughs in the field are at last beginning to shed new light on this topic. For example, the new "L Notch Ramp" hypothesis of researcher Rajan Hooda states that ramp systems internal to the pyramid structure could have been employed to raise the stones more efficiently. Satellite imaging and hydraulic simulation models have also fueled research that suggests water pressure may have been a decisive element, not only in lubricating slopes, but also in the vertical transport of stones through hydraulic power. In the end, all we can do is come up with more theories, but for conclusive evidence on how the pyramids were built, we must wait.