Since the beginning, the pyramids have been considered one of the seven wonders of the world, and the question of how these monumental structures of giant stones were built remains unanswered. A key element in this mystery was a subtle mechanism, according to researchers at the University of Liverpool. The aforementioned team and other experts found that an ancient system of ramps discovered in Egypt’s Hatnub limestone quarry could be a key element in transporting massive stone blocks, which were used in the construction of the Great Pyramids of Giza. This new information gives us new insight into the techniques used by the ancient Egyptians to construct these iconic structures and reveals the organization and engineering skills of this ancient civilization.
A sophisticated system
The system of ramps discovered at Hatnub was created during the reign of Pharaoh Khufu, who was behind the construction of the Great Pyramid of Giza. This ramp consists of a series of stairs and channels carved into the rock face, which allowed workers to move heavy stone blocks from the quarry to the construction site. Scientists used a combination of archaeological survey, satellite imagery and 3D modeling to to better understand the operation of this ramp system. They found that this ramp was probably used to transport stone blocks in a horizontal position, which is different from previous assumptions that assumed vertical movement.
Giant ramp
One of the main findings of this study is that the ramp system was not a single continuous structure, but rather a collection of smaller ramps and channels that were built in sequence. This suggests that the workers who worked on this system were able to carefully plan and implement this complex engineering project over a number of years, indicating a high level of organizational and technical skills. The ramp system is also notable for its use of natural topography to facilitate the transport of stone blocks. The channels in the ramp were cut at an angle that allowed gravity to be used to move the stones downhill, greatly reducing the effort required to move them.
Incredible skills
This discovery of the Hatnub ramp system brings us important insights into the construction of the Great Pyramids and the engineering skills of the ancient Egyptians. It provides new insight into the organization and management of the workforce behind the construction of these amazing structures. Egyptologist and co-author of the study, Dr. Roland Enmarch, emphasized the significance of this discovery: “This remarkable discovery reveals the ingenuity and ingenuity of the ancient Egyptians and their ability to plan and execute complex engineering projects over long periods of time. It also gives us new insight into the organization and management of the workforce that was involved in the construction of these amazing monuments.”
