Of the three theories on how the Great Pyramid was built, in descending order of acceptability, the most suitable theory is Clifford Wilson’s followed by Joseph Davidovits’ and Erich Von Däniken’s argument. Clifford Wilson’s theory is the best because he illustrates how the pyramids were built and provides the evidence to prove his theory, however; this is unlike Joseph Davidovits’ theory because Davidovits does not fully answer questions that arise concerning his theory. The three theories have similar points, but contain very different ideas on the construction of the Great Pyramid. This is obvious in Clifford Wilson’s argument where he is repeatedly disproving Von Däniken’s theory that the “gods” created the pyramids, whereas in Davidovits theory the pyramids were simply casted by means of chemically mixing Natron, aluminum and silicon to produce artificial rock. These three individuals express different ideas on the building of the building of the Great Pyramid.
Clifford Wilson has the most acceptable theory compared to the other two individual’s arguments. In Clifford Wilson’s theory, he suggests that the pyramids were built with the “heave-ho” method. With the use of sleds made from wood that is easily imported from Phoenicia and rope, it is an acceptable theory on how the Great Pyramid was built. Wilson has also seen workers, using a single rope and pulley, move stones as the supervisor chants out instructions. One question that arises is how the builders were able to lift the stones into place. Wilson explains that during the construction of the pyramid, a ramp made of earth could be increased as the height of the pyramid increased. Once outer limestone blocks are fitted into place the earth could simply be removed. Clifford Wilson clearly verifies his theory with specific details, which displays that his theory is the most logical and suitable explanation of the construction of the Great Pyramid.
Although Clifford Wilson’s theory is the best, there are still a few weaknesses throughout his argument. Wilson suggests that by using a system of pulleys, levers and ropes its is possible to construct the pyramid. With recent studies, it has been shown that if using a lever system as Wilson suggests, the fulcrum’s height must be increased, and at certain heights, the whole lever can become unstable. Another problem that is brought up is with the use of...
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...nce. Von Däniken’s theory is clearly the worst when compared to the other two arguments, and this is particularly due to incorrect data.
Even though Von Däniken’s theory is the poorest in quality, he still brings up important ideas that need to be examined. For example, the Egyptians knew the distance between the sun and the earth, and the geographical locations of other continents. This information could have been thought up, but it is more realistic to consider that Egyptians did have contact with extra-terrestrials. Despite Von Däniken’s bad theory , he still brings up key issues, but generally his theory is of no use because of the lack of significant data.
Of the three theories, Clifford Wilson’s theory remains the most acceptable because he illustrates how the pyramids were built and provides the evidence to prove his argument. Joseph Davidovits on the other hand, does not fully answer questions that arise concerning his theory. Von Däniken’s theory contains incorrect and irrelevant data that makes his theory the worst when compared to the other two arguments. In conclusion, Clifford Wilson had many effective points that disproved many Davidovits’ and Von Däniken’s points.
Egyptian burial complexes evolved from the simple rectangular mastaba to the great pyramids of the Fourth Dynasty. The true pyramid evolved from the mastaba through an intermediary form, the step pyramid, the earliest example of which is Zoser’s Step Pyramid at Saqqara, which dates to the Third Dynasty (c. 2680 BC). The Step Pyramid was revolutionary for several reasons. It is the earliest known free-standing monument built entirely of stone in Egypt (Fakhry 20); it is also the earliest example of evolutionary architectural development beyond the mastaba. In form the step pyramid is a series of superimposed mastabas and represents the stairway that the spirit of the pharaoh was to climb to reach the sky-realm and join the crew of the solar barque traveling across the heavens (Aldred 47).
Imagine, a magnificent structure in which you can see from space or have to journey in the deepest jungle of Central America. These great structures are known as pyramids. The two main type of pyramids which could be found in two different parts of the world. Egypt, the Pyramids of Giza and the Mayan Pyramids which are found in Central America. Also the designs and the purpose for why the ancestor have created these beautiful and flawless frameworks. Let us continue into a journey of the Mayan and Egyptian Pyramids.
...sledges and track and roll. Also there are many theories of how it was constructed as Peter James stated that the old theory where Ancient Egyptians built it and manoeuvred 2.5 million of stones and laying one every three minutes is impossible it would take hundreds of thousands of workers to build. Instead he believes they were built inside out and Jean- Pierre Houdin also agrees on that. Houdin believes that the Egyptians used right angled spiral ramps to transport the blocks and build up the pyramid. There are pyramids all around the world they been constructed in a time where there is no communication between these people.
The Pyramids of Giza are famous because they needed so many people and so much effort to construct them. There have been many incorrect myths or ideas around who actually built the pyramids, and there are conflicting views. Recent studies say they were built by 10,000 workers, not 100,000, and the workers were not actually slaves of the Pharaoh, but paid and skilled workers, mainly Egyptian’s. It has long believed that this was slave work, but after much investigation, new conclusions have been reached, and it is not viewed as possible to be the work of slaves. They all lived nearby the construction site, in a temporary village made primarily for the workers, where they could stay and access the Pyramids easily. This village was a very organized community, and almost like it a real village, with businesses and houses. It would have been a comfortable residence for all of the workers, but they had a life of constant toil. It is likely that many of the communities across Upper and Lower Egypt would have donated the work...
In their beliefs, the Egyptians formulated the specific concept of the mound of creation from the imagery of islands of high ground emerging from the annual Nile flood (Trigger, 4). The creation story of Seth, Osiris, and Isis centres the Nile as the birth of Egypt (White, 30). However, although the Nile has vastly affected the religion of the Egyptians, many of their gods were not inspired by the Nile. For instance, Horus, Shu, and Re were worshipped as the god of the sky, light, and sun respectively (Wilson, 222). These gods including many others reveal that the Egyptians created many deities based off of the forces of nature, in which there was a plentitude. Therefore, it can be positively insinuated that although the Nile was highly regarded in Egyptian religion since it was the birthplace of Egypt and its most important gods, however the Nile only shared a small portion in their religion as many other gods representing different powers were also worshipped. In their culture, the Nile has also influenced greatly. For example, the majority of pyramid construction took place at the period of high Nile, when the great blocks of stone could be floated from the quarries to a point near the pyramid plateau (Wilson, 84). Moreover, separation of land by the Nile lead to the ideology of dualism and balance, both of which can be found in art, literature, or mythology
In fact this required a lot of education, especially in math for the engineering. It could be practice, palace, and temple. How the ancient Egyptians achieved to place the heavy stones high on top of the Pyramids is still a mystery. Huge blocks of rock were cut from places many miles away and taken by boat to Giza and delivered to certain locations where well-constructed pyramids were being built. The slaves used a series of log rolling on the ground to move the giant stones. The first pyramids were called "Step Pyramids" because they looked like giant
Ancient Egypt Ancient Egypt is a wonderful land Full of mystery.It is filled with mummys, treasure and tomb robbers.The world we live in today is impacted by ancient Egypt.Three inspiring topics are the types of pyramids ,the mummy’s afterlife and the tomb robbers. Ancient Egypt better helps us understand the world of today.
During this semester, so far, we have discussed many different periods of cultures and arts in society and the history behind it. I feel that Egypt was one of many that interested me to talk about for a few reasons.
The Pyramids Of Giza were chosen as they are three extraordinary structures that give a rich insight into the context, culture, function, technology, power and experiential aspects of the time period and the buildings themselves. The three pyramids showcase the Egyptian’s advanced construction and design methods, their religious beliefs and practices, their rich and diverse culture, the power of the king, as well as the context that surrounded these magnificent structures.
Aliens built the Egyptian pyramids. Recent research supports the theory that the Pyramids were built long before humans inhabited the area now known as Egypt. It is also nearly impossible for the Egyptians to lift and move the limestone brick used to build these massive structures. Only a more advanced form of life could have constructed such an enormous undertaking, while using advanced mathematics and geography that were not yet known to ancient peoples. Archaeologists suggest that the large stones used in building the pyramids were transported by rolling them over logs or a wet, slippery, clay surface.
In the beginning of this chapter it discusses how the pyramids were built, what purpose they served, the three pyramids at Giza, some messages found on the stones that were used to build pyramids, and what a mastabas is. Pyramids are tombs built for Egypt's pharaohs. Pyramids are large structures with four sides that are the shape of a triangle, that meet at the top to form a point. The ancient Egyptians used the pyramids as tombs for the pharaohs and temples for their gods. The pyramids have one or two little temples attached to them, which holds their relatives and servants.
When one travels to Egypt, what does he/she see - pyramid after temple after tomb, each standing the test of time. One stands out - they are all associated with religious beliefs, they all have stood unmoving for thousands of years, and they all involve mechanical genius- the moving of colossal stones without the use of the wheel. The finest example such mechanics is shown in the construction of the revered pyramid. These three factors, all belonging to the religious architecture of ancient Egypt, do nothing else but prove its greatness.
The construction of the Great Pyramid is still a mystery and marvel to this day, there are seven major feats that archeologists still don’t understand.
Joseph Davidovits, a French chemist, has proposed that the pyramids were formed using a special concrete mixture, and then poured into wooden moulds where it hardened (Alt. theory #3).While Davidovits claims to have explained aspects of pyramid construction which the heave-ho theory could not, the mould theory has many faults, rendering it weak and improbable. Firstly, the stones used in building the pyramids were of diverse shapes (Article 5). The shape of the stones would be uniform if they were created in moulds of exact dimensions. If each stone was created in a uniquely fashioned mould, it would account for the diversity in shape. However, building thousands, or even hundreds, of moulds would have been e...
- [2] Redford, Donald B, Ph.D.; McCauley, M, "How were the Egyptian pyramids built?", Research The Pennsylvania State University, Retrieved 11 December 2012.