French architect Jean-Pierre Houdin has unveiled a quite fascinating theory of pyramid construction. Apparently based on a decade of investigation, he is able to proposed a series of concepts proposing that internal construction ramps allowed for the efficient and remarkable construction of the Pyramid of Cheops. Additionally he demonstrates the most efficient means by which the pyramidium was raised along with the pyramid itself and the construction of the King’s chamber at the heart of the pyramid.
The architect uses a slick 3d visualization system to create an educational video that is quite impressive. Load times seem to be glacial, but the wait is worth it. An animated model of the architect himself appears on screen and wander about the pyramid itself explaining the findings and demonstrating through animation the construction processes.
I am not sure how much of this is actually that radical, but the presentation is very entertaining and the visualization of workers hauling the stones through the inner chambers or using the hoist to raise the pyramidium are very impressive.
I don’t want to spoil much of the discovery presented in the visualisation, but the concept of internal hallways is quite an intriguing one. Corners of the pyramid are left exposed to allow for rotation of building blocks as they travel along the construction ways, and this allows for hauling to take place in a shaded and stable environment. I gather this this also reduces the suggested number of people involved in the construction and also solves the huge issue of the bulk of the external ramp as previously proposed that actually would have dwarfed the achievement of the pyramid itself.
It would be interesting to see a full documentary on these findings. Houdin was involved in National Geographic’s 2002 I wonder about the corners of the pyramid and whether if they were built after the fact and possibly less tightly tied into the overall construction might have given way or showed the effects of weathering faster than other components. Moreover, I would have thought that finding/proving the existence of these internal hallways, even if filled in after the completion would have been a reasonably simple task, so am left wondering whether the proposed engineering principles have been investigated or are subject to ongoing debate. There are interesting sites dedicated to exploring such questions and theories, albeit by heightening the mystery and appearing rather conspiracy theory like.
Very cool animations and ideas.