The mysterious construction of the upper 300 feet.
For approximately 5000 years the question of how the upper 300 feet of the great pyramids of Giza were constructed has boggled the minds of everyone.
The mathematical accuracy of the angles, the tremendous height, the
decreasing surface on the upper levels which make construction seemingly impossible, not to mention the most crucial element of all, the smooth polished Tura Limestone covering, all add up to truly make this one of the great wonders of the world.
The overall height of the main pyramid is 450 ft. It is generally accepted that the first 150 feet utilized a single earthen ramp in it’s construction, which was built up as the lowers levels were completed.
The next 300 feet is definitely a quandary. However, if you do the math, you will realized the structure at this point is actually 2/3rds complete.
Many ideas have been put forth about how the final 300 feet were achieved, including the assistance of extraterrestrial help. The easiest way of doing something is often the simplest. I have spent my time looking for a simple human yet clever approach that was technologically possible for early Egyptians. Measuring can be done with a rope placed in the center of the square levels. A circle is easy to create this way. A square could also be monitored with this same method, as the circle would touch the edge of each square, if the correct size. Each plane could be leveled using water as a guide to depict any slopes. The biggest challenge I see, however, are the corners, and I believe they are the clue to this whole mystery. Each corner would need to be sighted to keep these angles accurate as the structure rose. This would mean that each corner must have been available to the builders in order keep the angle pure; first with the crude blocks, and then brought into precision with the limestone casing. This sighting had to be done from above, as the work is constantly based on the previous level. The only way to accurately sight the previous level, is from above, and it had to be a
constant guide for the builders.
Many ideas have been proposed. The most accepted theory is that a ramp was spiraled around the entire pyramid, and the blocks were pushed and lifted into place as they went. There is a new theory out that proposes that the pyramid was built from inside with inner ramps.
My theory proposes that for ease and accuracy of construction, ramps zigzagged upward on a single side, leaving the four corners available to sight. The edges and other three planar surfaces would also be available for accurate sighting. A ramp which spirals around the entire structure would make sighting impossible. An inner ramp does not explain the perfect polished exterior. I can see this being achieved to a certain point, but at the highest levels, you loose the ability to sight the corners and sides from outside and above, which would become vital in those last levels. I don’t see this happening from inside out.
If you refer to my model, you can see blue blocks protruding on one side, creating strong foundations for an ever rising ramp. The inner part of the pyramids are made of crude blocks, which are surfaced with a casing of Tura Limestone which was chiseled and polished to the correct angles. The question is “How were ramps constructed and consequently dismantled, which would leave the true polished surface once seen on these structures?”
I believe the secret to the construction is that the ramp was actually built on a foundation of unfinished protruding Tura Limestone blocks, which are depicted as blue blocks on my model. Once the pyramid was finished on all three sides, and all four edges of the corners, the workers would begin a downward dismantling of the ramps and a simultaneous chiseling and polishing of the protruding Tura Limestone blocks, flush to the rest of the plane of that forth and final side.
On my model you will see white as the finished Tura Limestone casing. The inner crude limestone block is shown as tan. The blue blocks are also Tura Limestone, but colored for clarification, as they are the protruding pieces of block over which the ramp was constructed.
Richard Dutton Field
Cave Creek
