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the stones were most likely placed on sledges and dragged up ramps. Once they gained the working level the stones were manouvered in place by a combination of levers and brute force. The motive power for all this effort was human muscle provided by slaves.

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10y ago
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9y ago

They were placed on wooden sledges and dragged up a ramp by gangs of slaves using ropes made from papyrus or palm fronds. Water or oil was poured on the runners to overcome friction. A spiralling ramp of mud, brick and rubble was used to haul the blocks to the level where building was going on. No doubt the whip wielded by the overseer also eased the passage of the stones. The number of slaves used to haul a sledge depended on the size of the stone. An average pyramid stone weighing about 2.5 tons took 20 slaves. A large granite stone weighing perhaps 70 tons required perhaps 500. Imagine if you can a great block resting on its sledge coming up the causeway. Sitting on top of the block is a scribe bawling orders. Ahead of the sledge stretch long lines of straining slaves, sweat pouring from their naked bodies. The block moves a few feet at a time, the slaves front and rear pulling and prying in slow rhythm groaning to the shouts of foreman.

The above answer requires ramps that are as massive as the pyramids themselves - that would be inefficient engineering and the Egyptians would not do this.

The Egyptians built a transportation system the allowed the pyramid blocks to be easily moved from the quarries nearby and the harbor 1 mile away. To move 2.5 million blocks in 20 years requires 450 blocks to be moved each work day, lifted hundreds of feet in the air and set into place.

You can't move 450 blocks each work day with 20 - 100 workers per team, and no slaves worked on the pyramids. If 10 teams moved 45 blocks each work day that means each team had to move a block every 11 minutes 1+ miles and lifted an average of 200 feet in the air.

We can't do that with our current technology using the biggest and fastest construction equipment...........

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11y ago

People had lots of theories such as building a ramp up as you go and a single ramp in front of the pyramids but those didn't work

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Q: What did Egyptian builders use to carry heavy stones to the top of a pyramid?
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What simple machine did the ancient egyptians use to help build the pyramids?

The most important "machine" was the inclined plane, the ramp used to raise the stones to the working level. The lever used to manhandle the stones into position and in the quarries to lift the stones onto the sledge on which they were transported. In the absence of the wheel the sledge with its narrow runners minimised the effects of friction.


What are some possible explanations archaeologists present to explain the similarities of the great pyramid the ziggurat of Ur and the pyramid of the sun in Mexico?

Trough the 'common sense' theory of the least effort: to build a pyramid, it had to be erected trough many ramps that allowed to carry heavy weights to the top of the pyramid, using the least effort. See related links for some examples.


What did the Egyptians use to carry rocks from the quarry to the pyramid?

♪ slaves! built the pyramids ♪ The limestone blocks were cut out in the quarries close the pyramid site. Once the limestone blocks quarried they were lowered onto sledges. Gangs of slaves dragged the sledge along a causeway laid with planks. Water or oil was poured in front of the blades of the sledge to help them slide more easily.


Who use hod?

A Hod is a tray or trough device with a pole handle used to tote heavy loads on the shoulder. They are used primarily by masons or masons' helpers to carry bricks/stones and mortar.


How did Egptians carry such heavy stone to the pyramid site?

The limestone blocks were cut out in the quarries close the pyramid site. Once the limestone blocks quarried they were lowered onto sledges. Gangs of naked slaves dragged the sledge along a causeway laid with planks. Water or oil was poured in front of the blades of the sledge to help them slide more easily. When they were building the Great Pyramid of king Khufu granite blocks weighing anything up to 70 tons were were floated over 400 miles from Aswan down the river Nile on rafts made from papyrus reeds. A canal connected the river with the pyramid site so the rafts could be brought as close to the pyramid site as possible. from here they had to be dragged on giant sledges to their location in the pyramid.

Related questions

Why did the egyptian build pyramid?

Egyptian kings built the pyramid so that they could exhibit the Egyptian capabilities, and also to have a royal burial place! till today its a great mysytery about the construction, how were they able to carry such heavy blocks to such great heights!


Did the Egyptian build pyramids?

Egyptian kings built the pyramid so that they could exhibit the Egyptian capabilities, and also to have a royal burial place! till today its a great mysytery about the construction, how were they able to carry such heavy blocks to such great heights!


Who made the pyramid of egypt?

aliens from outerspace because we are not the only people in this universe and how can a lot of egyptian slaves carry a material that you can't lift.aliens have higher technology and advanced.


What did they use to build the Parthenon?

They used stones to build it and they had to carry the stones up themselves or strong animas would.


What simple machine did the ancient egyptians use to help build the pyramids?

The most important "machine" was the inclined plane, the ramp used to raise the stones to the working level. The lever used to manhandle the stones into position and in the quarries to lift the stones onto the sledge on which they were transported. In the absence of the wheel the sledge with its narrow runners minimised the effects of friction.


How many kg is allowed on Egypt aeroplane?

Egyptian planes can only carry 10kg but others in Europe can carry 100's


What theory of building the great pyramid makes most sense?

The people used piles of rubble to carry the bricks up the pyramid. They just usedx manpower and time.


Did all Egyptian gods and goddesses carry the Ankh?

Yes. This symbol represented life.


How did the pyramids impact of the daily lives of the Ancient Egyptians?

Thieves broke into pyramids to steal anything of value. The builders of Cairo took away the beautiful outer casings of stone, in order to build a beautiful city. Now the pyramid inner stones left exposed are deteriorating rapidly over time.


Where can I find inexpensive paving stones?

Paving stones can range from inexpensive to very expensive. Two good sources for relatively inexpensive pavers are Lowes and Home Depot stores, both of which usually carry a varied selection of the stones.


HOW DID THE EGYPTIAN USE THE NILE TO EXPAND THEIR FARMLAND?

They dug irrigation canals to carry water from the Nile.


How old was the Great Pyramid when Hatsheput ruled?

Over a millennium. She didn't carry that trait with her. She temples and other structures.