Bizarre

Post by **Minimalist** » Wed Sep 20, 2006 11:23 pm

Just watched a History International program called Flying Pyramids Soaring Stones in which, with absolutely no evidence, this scientist got the idea that the Egyptians "could" have used wind power in the form of big kites to lift obelisks into place or raise stones up the pyramids.

Using nylon ropes, pulleys, telephone poles and a big modern kite she succeeded in raising an almost 1/5 scale, steel-reinforced concrete obelisk almost all the way up. Then they declared "victory".

Allegedly this was a seven year project and I'm still not sure what it proves as the Egyptians did not have pulleys, nylon ropes, big kites or telephone poles.

Sheeesh.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Sep 20, 2006 11:25 pm

That is funny, I think they did Giza with huge long earthen ramps.

Post by **Minimalist** » Wed Sep 20, 2006 11:27 pm

Genesis Veracity wrote:That is funny, I think they did Giza with huge long earthen ramps.

I could buy that.....but not in twenty years.

And then, of course, not as a tomb for one king.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Sep 20, 2006 11:29 pm

In how many years do you think?

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Sep 20, 2006 11:49 pm

I guess the huge long earthen ramp started near the Sphinx location, where lapped the waters of the Nile at that time, for the barges bringing the quarried limestone.

Or was most of the limestone quarried somewhere nearby, and so, the ramp would be from that direction?

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Sep 20, 2006 11:54 pm

big kites

well that one is a toss-up but i doubt if they could build a frame strong enough to hold the weight .

Allegedly this was a seven year project

they give money for anything now. i figure balloons and helium would be easier for them to find and use

Post by **Minimalist** » Thu Sep 21, 2006 12:43 am

Genesis Veracity wrote:In how many years do you think?

I don't know. How long did it take to build the cathedrals of Europe? They were far less massive and the builders had the advantage of block and tackle. Still....they took centuries.

Post by **Minimalist** » Thu Sep 21, 2006 12:44 am

Genesis Veracity wrote:I guess the huge long earthen ramp started near the Sphinx location, where lapped the waters of the Nile at that time, for the barges bringing the quarried limestone.

Or was most of the limestone quarried somewhere nearby, and so, the ramp would be from that direction?

The limestone quarries are nearby but the granite had to be shipped in from well down river.

Post by **Minimalist** » Thu Sep 21, 2006 12:45 am

but i doubt if they could build a frame strong enough to hold the weight .

That's where the telephone poles came in.

oldarchystudent · Post by **oldarchystudent** » Thu Sep 21, 2006 7:09 am

Genesis Veracity wrote:I guess the huge long earthen ramp started near the Sphinx location, where lapped the waters of the Nile at that time, for the barges bringing the quarried limestone.

Or was most of the limestone quarried somewhere nearby, and so, the ramp would be from that direction?

The ramp wrapped around the structure of the pyramid. As you say, it would be too long to be practical if it was a straight line from the Nile to the worksite.

marduk · Post by **marduk** » Thu Sep 21, 2006 9:29 am

I don't know. How long did it take to build the cathedrals of Europe? They were far less massive and the builders had the advantage of block and tackle. Still....they took centuries.

only when they were built by O'Reilly builders and sons

The west front was ready by 1265. The cloisters and chapter house were completed around 1280. Because the cathedral was built in only 38 years, Salisbury Cathedral has a single consistent architectural style, Early English Gothic.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salisbury_Cathedral

oldarchystudent · Post by **oldarchystudent** » Thu Sep 21, 2006 9:34 am

It's been many years since I read "Sarum" - when was that font added? Sure doesn't look original to me.

Post by **Minimalist** » Thu Sep 21, 2006 9:39 am

oldarchystudent wrote:
Genesis Veracity wrote:I guess the huge long earthen ramp started near the Sphinx location, where lapped the waters of the Nile at that time, for the barges bringing the quarried limestone.

Or was most of the limestone quarried somewhere nearby, and so, the ramp would be from that direction?
The ramp wrapped around the structure of the pyramid. As you say, it would be too long to be practical if it was a straight line from the Nile to the worksite.

Such a ramp would be even longer and pulling stones around the corners would be very difficult. One critic of the idea also claimed that such ramps would make it impossible for the architects to check their work in progress.

oldarchystudent · Post by **oldarchystudent** » Thu Sep 21, 2006 9:41 am

Good points but I'm not sure what else would make sense. Kites, UFOs and levitation certainly don't so what's left? The wrap around ramp is the best explanation I've seen but I'd be interested in alternatives.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Sep 21, 2006 9:42 am

Hey min, how far from the GP is the old quarry, and what is their difference of elevation?