The Giza Pyramid Complex in Egypt.
The Egyptian pyramids are considered to be some of the most remarkable and impressive structures ever built by human hands. These massive stone structures have been standing for thousands of years and continue to capture the imagination of people from all over the world. But how were the pyramids built? This is a question that has puzzled historians, archaeologists, and engineers for centuries. While there is still much that is not known about the construction of these ancient wonders, there are several theories that shed light on how the pyramids were built.
Background
The first Egyptian pyramid was built around 2600 BCE, during the Third Dynasty of the Old Kingdom period. The pharaohs of Egypt believed that by building a grand tomb for themselves, they would be able to achieve eternal life in the afterlife. The construction of a pyramid was a massive undertaking that required a great deal of resources, manpower, and engineering skill.
The largest and most well-known of the Egyptian pyramids is the Great Pyramid of Giza, which was built for Pharaoh Khufu. This massive structure was completed around 2560 BCE and stands at 147 meters tall. It is estimated that the pyramid contains over 2 million stone blocks, each weighing around 2.5 tons.
So, how was this pyramid built?
Well, there are many theories on how this pyramid was built, including a theory that it was built by aliens, but here, we have put together a list of the most widely accepted theories.
The Spiral Ramp Theory
A diagram of The Spiral Ramp Theory.
One of the most widely accepted theories about how the pyramids were built is the spiral ramp theory. This theory proposes that the pyramids were built using a ramp system that was used to transport the stones to the top of the structure. The ramp was constructed using mud bricks, and workers would drag the blocks up the ramp using ropes and sledges.
The ramp would have been built in a spiral shape around the pyramid, with the slope gradually increasing as the pyramid grew taller. As the ramp reached higher levels, it would have been dismantled and rebuilt further up the pyramid.
The spiral ramp theory is supported by archaeological evidence that shows the remains of ramps that were used during the construction of the pyramids. However, there are some problems with this theory, such as the fact that the ramp would have needed to be very long and would have required an enormous amount of resources to build.
The Internal Ramp Theory
A diagram of The Internal Ramp Theory.
Another theory proposes that the pyramids were built using an internal ramp system that was used to transport the stones to the top of the structure. The ramp would have been built inside the pyramid and would have been dismantled as the pyramid was completed.
This theory is supported by evidence that shows that there are gaps and spaces inside the pyramids that could have been used for the construction of an internal ramp. However, there are still many unanswered questions about how such a ramp could have been built without compromising the stability of the pyramid.
External Ramp Theory
A diagram of The External Ramp Theory.
The external ramp theory proposes that the pyramids were built using a ramp system that was built on one side of the pyramid (on the outside). The ramp would have been constructed using mud bricks and would have been built at an angle that would have allowed workers to drag the blocks up to the top of the pyramid.
This theory is supported by evidence that shows the remains of ramps that were used during the construction of the pyramids. However, there are still many unanswered questions about how such a ramp could have been built without collapsing under the weight of the stones.
Conclusion
In conclusion, there are various theories on how the pyramids were built, such as, like mentioned above, the Spiral Ramp Theory, Internal Ramp Theory, External Ramp Theory, Etc. Some are believable, with some archaeological evidence backing them up, and some are a little unconvincing, such as the Alien Theory, which states that aliens or extraterrestrial beings had constructed the pyramids.
Most of the widely accepted theories involve a ramp, but the most widely accepted and archaeologically-backed theory out of these is the Spiral Ramp Theory, but it still isn’t 100% certain that this was the technique they used, and it still kind of remains a mystery.