|
So you want to build your own pyramid?
Pro tip: if you're going to, better build it right, and build it to last. Resources aside, here's how you build an ancient wonder. |
“Yes, the pyramids have been built, but if you give me 300,000 disciplined men and give me 30 years, I could build a bigger one.” - Werner Herzog
Engineering as a field of study and practice has been around since the first cities were built in Fertile Crescent. And since then, little remained a mystery as technology marches on and we, as a civilization, develop means to manipulate nature to our will.
However there is one lingering mystery that remains, of which the answer to was lost in time after the fall of a great civilization.
How could a pre-modern society be able to build a structure that rivals in magnitude to the megaprojects of today? How can such a monstrosity be constructed from one of the hardest, densest building materials known to man without the assistance of modern logistical technology? How is it possible that the foundations supporting such a large and heavy monolith did not gave in?
If the Ancient Egyptians can boast of only one thing, it is this puzzle that they’ve left us. And now we shall attempt to solve it.
Step 1: Find a good, solid location
For something of this size, an estimate of the dimensions and environmental requirements must first be calculated. The Ancient Egyptians have had a long history of monumental construction so it can be deduced that they have extensive knowledge and experience in regards to quantity surveying and the lay of the land; two extremely important undertakings in deciding the ideal location of a pyramid.
The quantity surveyor’s job is to estimate the amount of building materials required to construct this behemoth. He would work in conjunction with the architect, balancing between design requirements and what is actually possible. So no, it’s not like in Minecraft.
Therefore, constructing a megalithic structure out of limestone and granite would require a solid foundation. With the absence of piling technology, the only option apparently is to build it on solid bedrock. We may never know how many failures the architects faced (read: monuments sinking on its own weight) to finally settle on the perfect location, but once it was found construction flourished in the area.
Step 2: Build the infrastructure
The next problem would be that of bringing materials and labour to the area. It should be noted that most of these constructions were built in proximity the Nile, which facilitates transport of materials. There are evidence on the use canals between the Nile and the construction area, which makes sense as materials brought down river on reed ships could be immediately directed to the site, saving time and labour.
Speaking of labour, the workforce involved would require infrastructures of itself. Contrary to popular belief, slaves were not involved in the construction of these monuments, but rather the Egyptians themselves working as part of a labour tax. Naturally these workers have had to be housed and fed, and this is evident from the excavation of townships hear any major projects of the time.
Near the Giza pyramid complex for example, a site known as Heit el-Ghurab was found to include slaughter areas where an estimated two tonnes of meat were processed daily for the benefit of the workers. From this we can postulate that labourers were taken care of as further evidence of medical facilities, funeral sites and communal quarters to cater to a workforce of at least 10,000 strong.
Step 3: Lay the foundations
The foundation is dependent on the dimensions and design of the structure. If the base of the pyramid is larger than the exposed bedrock, some form of leveling may take place. As the Egyptians have yet to develop piling technology, this requires a painstaking combination of excavations and careful positioning of stone blocks.
Any mistakes at this point would risk the collapse of the completed pyramid, or parts thereof – not something you want posterity to see if you’re going to plaster your name all over it.
Step 4: Construct scaffolding
The most accepted hypothesis on how two million stone slabs weighing two tone each were moved from base level is that of ramps, various types of ramps.
Once thought to be the likeliest, due to its simplicity, is the straight ramp. This type of ramp caters to the project’s requirement as it advances and is extremely adaptable. As the project begins the demand for stones is high due to the wider base of the pyramid, the straight ramp accommodates to this by its wider throughway, which narrows as the height of the construction increases. Seems to be a no brainer, until we consider the size of the project itself.
As the pyramid develops the ramp had to be extended, resulting in an estimated 1.6 kilometers for a ramp with a 5° inclination to place the capstone on top. Not to mention the resources needed to construct the ramp itself, which may be more than the those used on the pyramid. So, not that practical.
A more probable and likely solution would be to ‘wrap’ the pyramid with the ramp as goes up. The materials needed are decreasingly proportionate to the height as the pyramid tapers the higher it goes.
However there is one lingering mystery that remains, of which the answer to was lost in time after the fall of a great civilization.
How could a pre-modern society be able to build a structure that rivals in magnitude to the megaprojects of today? How can such a monstrosity be constructed from one of the hardest, densest building materials known to man without the assistance of modern logistical technology? How is it possible that the foundations supporting such a large and heavy monolith did not gave in?
If the Ancient Egyptians can boast of only one thing, it is this puzzle that they’ve left us. And now we shall attempt to solve it.
Step 1: Find a good, solid location
For something of this size, an estimate of the dimensions and environmental requirements must first be calculated. The Ancient Egyptians have had a long history of monumental construction so it can be deduced that they have extensive knowledge and experience in regards to quantity surveying and the lay of the land; two extremely important undertakings in deciding the ideal location of a pyramid.
The quantity surveyor’s job is to estimate the amount of building materials required to construct this behemoth. He would work in conjunction with the architect, balancing between design requirements and what is actually possible. So no, it’s not like in Minecraft.
Therefore, constructing a megalithic structure out of limestone and granite would require a solid foundation. With the absence of piling technology, the only option apparently is to build it on solid bedrock. We may never know how many failures the architects faced (read: monuments sinking on its own weight) to finally settle on the perfect location, but once it was found construction flourished in the area.
Step 2: Build the infrastructure
The next problem would be that of bringing materials and labour to the area. It should be noted that most of these constructions were built in proximity the Nile, which facilitates transport of materials. There are evidence on the use canals between the Nile and the construction area, which makes sense as materials brought down river on reed ships could be immediately directed to the site, saving time and labour.
Speaking of labour, the workforce involved would require infrastructures of itself. Contrary to popular belief, slaves were not involved in the construction of these monuments, but rather the Egyptians themselves working as part of a labour tax. Naturally these workers have had to be housed and fed, and this is evident from the excavation of townships hear any major projects of the time.
Near the Giza pyramid complex for example, a site known as Heit el-Ghurab was found to include slaughter areas where an estimated two tonnes of meat were processed daily for the benefit of the workers. From this we can postulate that labourers were taken care of as further evidence of medical facilities, funeral sites and communal quarters to cater to a workforce of at least 10,000 strong.
Step 3: Lay the foundations
The foundation is dependent on the dimensions and design of the structure. If the base of the pyramid is larger than the exposed bedrock, some form of leveling may take place. As the Egyptians have yet to develop piling technology, this requires a painstaking combination of excavations and careful positioning of stone blocks.
Any mistakes at this point would risk the collapse of the completed pyramid, or parts thereof – not something you want posterity to see if you’re going to plaster your name all over it.
Step 4: Construct scaffolding
The most accepted hypothesis on how two million stone slabs weighing two tone each were moved from base level is that of ramps, various types of ramps.
Once thought to be the likeliest, due to its simplicity, is the straight ramp. This type of ramp caters to the project’s requirement as it advances and is extremely adaptable. As the project begins the demand for stones is high due to the wider base of the pyramid, the straight ramp accommodates to this by its wider throughway, which narrows as the height of the construction increases. Seems to be a no brainer, until we consider the size of the project itself.
As the pyramid develops the ramp had to be extended, resulting in an estimated 1.6 kilometers for a ramp with a 5° inclination to place the capstone on top. Not to mention the resources needed to construct the ramp itself, which may be more than the those used on the pyramid. So, not that practical.
A more probable and likely solution would be to ‘wrap’ the pyramid with the ramp as goes up. The materials needed are decreasingly proportionate to the height as the pyramid tapers the higher it goes.
Step 5: Stack it
If we were to take the winding ramp theory, then construction of the structure itself goes concurrently with the scaffolding. The pyramid, by design, is mostly made of solid stone – due to the technological limits of the day; no metal reinforcements, quick setting concrete, and only a nascent knowhow of load-bearing physics.
But of course it is, first and foremost, a tomb. And as tombs there is a need for ways to construct chambers (and the passages connecting thereof) that can withhold tons of solid granite blocks over them.
There are evidences that when the chambers were constructed, they serve a secondary purpose, to ease the transportation of materials onto each successive layer. If we were to postulate that the chambers and passages were built by layers, then it is possible that a lot of trial and errors went into the process. This is an exhaustive measure that requires new materials every time there are failures. Remember, engineering at the time was not an exact science.
Step 6: Accessorise
So now you have your pyramid. But it’s a bit scruffy, no? Maybe we should make it a tad more presentable? Hey if you’re going to plaster your name all over this thing, better make it look good, or people down the ages will think that you’re a slob.
For the Great Pyramid a cladding of polished, or at least finely chiseled, limestone was used to encase the structure. It also serves the secondary purpose of protecting it from the elements – wind and rain and such. This would’ve made it visible for miles as it reflects the midday sunlight. And a glare hazard for nearby neighbourhoods.
Another thing that’s debatable is a capstone, a single stone that tops the structure. For the Great Pyramid, it seems that it never had one. Egyptologists are still debating whether this is because the Pyramid was never finished, or it was too difficult to manage such a feat, or it was stolen – if it were so happened to be made from precious materials. So I recommend just paint over the thing rather than hauling a solid gold block.
Step 7: Get buried
So were done. Now you only have to pass on and get your priest to give you your last rites. Options to bring along on your journey to the afterlife: piles of treasure, your pet cat (mummified), jars of your internal organs, and of course what’s an Egyptian tomb without a curse? Bon voyage!
If we were to take the winding ramp theory, then construction of the structure itself goes concurrently with the scaffolding. The pyramid, by design, is mostly made of solid stone – due to the technological limits of the day; no metal reinforcements, quick setting concrete, and only a nascent knowhow of load-bearing physics.
But of course it is, first and foremost, a tomb. And as tombs there is a need for ways to construct chambers (and the passages connecting thereof) that can withhold tons of solid granite blocks over them.
There are evidences that when the chambers were constructed, they serve a secondary purpose, to ease the transportation of materials onto each successive layer. If we were to postulate that the chambers and passages were built by layers, then it is possible that a lot of trial and errors went into the process. This is an exhaustive measure that requires new materials every time there are failures. Remember, engineering at the time was not an exact science.
Step 6: Accessorise
So now you have your pyramid. But it’s a bit scruffy, no? Maybe we should make it a tad more presentable? Hey if you’re going to plaster your name all over this thing, better make it look good, or people down the ages will think that you’re a slob.
For the Great Pyramid a cladding of polished, or at least finely chiseled, limestone was used to encase the structure. It also serves the secondary purpose of protecting it from the elements – wind and rain and such. This would’ve made it visible for miles as it reflects the midday sunlight. And a glare hazard for nearby neighbourhoods.
Another thing that’s debatable is a capstone, a single stone that tops the structure. For the Great Pyramid, it seems that it never had one. Egyptologists are still debating whether this is because the Pyramid was never finished, or it was too difficult to manage such a feat, or it was stolen – if it were so happened to be made from precious materials. So I recommend just paint over the thing rather than hauling a solid gold block.
Step 7: Get buried
So were done. Now you only have to pass on and get your priest to give you your last rites. Options to bring along on your journey to the afterlife: piles of treasure, your pet cat (mummified), jars of your internal organs, and of course what’s an Egyptian tomb without a curse? Bon voyage!
Ponder this
Image if it were the Romans or Greek were to build the pyramids. What engineering principles would they apply? How would they look like?
With all our modern technologies, we still find it difficult to manipulate large, solid monoliths, and we have lost the technical know-how to do it. Do you think this sort of lost knowledge happens in our time? Any examples?
Discuss
How did humans came to develop such knowledge and technologies to build edifices as the pyramids? A whole range of knowledge is required from resource management, metallurgy, mining, quarrying, logistics. Which came first? Is there a gradual timeline of progression?
Further readings
Egyptian pyramid construction techniques, at Wikipedia
Engineering the Pyramids, at Drexel Univerity's College of Engineering
