Lecture Notes: Who Built the Pyramids?

Introduction to the Pyramids

• Egyptian pyramids are monumental structures, famous for their grandeur.
• The Great Pyramid of Giza once stood at 481 feet (now 451 feet due to erosion), compared to a 32-story building.
• Approximately 80 pyramids exist in Egypt today.

Notable Pyramids

• Pyramid of Djoser in Saqqara, the oldest, built in 2630 B.C.
• Giza Necropolis includes the Pyramid of Khufu, part of the Seven Wonders of the World, and the Khafre Pyramid.

Ancient Egyptian Beliefs

• Egyptians believed in an afterlife; death was seen as an interruption.
• The king’s spirit, or 'ka', was preserved through mummification.
• Pharaohs were seen as incarnates of gods: Horus in life, Osiris in death.

Construction Materials & Techniques

• Pyramids were mainly built with limestone; white limestone for casing, pink granite for interiors.
• Stones sourced from local regions like Luxor and the Fayum depression.
• Construction speculated to involve 45 workers for a 35,900-lb block.

Myths and Misconceptions

• Myth 1: Slaves built the pyramids - originated from Herodotus and Hollywood movies.
• Myth 2: Jews built the pyramids - refuted by historical timelines and scholars.
• Myth 3: Aliens built the pyramids - misguided theories based on coordinate coincidences.

Actual Workforce and Construction

• Workforce comprised of primary workers (4,000) and temporary workers (16,000-20,000).
• Workers lived in designated pyramid villages and camps.
• Construction likely occurred in late summer and early autumn when Nile flooding was advantageous.
• Excavations revealed workers slept in barrack-style dormitories.

Discoveries and Hypotheses

• Archaeologist Yukinori Kawae found a cave in the Great Pyramid used for the chamber method in construction.
• Workers were well-fed, consuming cattle, sheep, fish, and beer.
• Evidence shows the extensive physical strain on workers.

Moving and Measuring Methods

• Used sledges on wet sand to move heavy stones.
• Employed units like "cubits" and "hands" for measurement.
• Stars and the sun were used to align pyramids along cardinal directions.
• Richard Parry suggests a cradle-like machine for moving rocks.

Modern Experiments and Findings

• A 1996 experiment by the Obayashi Corporation showed that manual dragging of stones was feasible.
• Merer’s papyrus, discovered in 2013, details the logistics of materials transport for pyramid construction.

Conclusion

• Understanding pyramid construction demystifies ancient techniques and counters misconceptions about their builders.
• Continue learning about ancient Egypt to further expand knowledge beyond myths.