A groundbreaking study has introduced a novel theory regarding the construction of the Great Pyramid of Giza. Simon Andreas Scheuring, a scientist affiliated with Weill Cornell Medicine in New York, posits that this ancient marvel functioned not merely as a monumental structure but as a self-constructing machine. The findings, published in npj Heritage Science, indicate the utilization of internal pulley systems and sliding counterweights to facilitate the creation of the massive edifice.
According to Scheuring”s research, the Great Pyramid was built from the inside out, circumventing the need for heavy machinery. He theorizes that the architects employed stone-lined ramps and pulley-like configurations to lift and position the enormous limestone and granite blocks. This innovative approach may account for the rapid pace of construction, enabling the placement of a single block every one to three minutes.
Several architectural elements within the pyramid align with Scheuring”s hypothesis. He argues that the Grand Gallery and the Ascending Passage served as sloped ramps where counterweights could be maneuvered downwards to generate the necessary lifting force. Contrary to the long-held belief that the Antechamber functioned solely as a security measure, Scheuring suggests it contained a pulley system capable of raising blocks weighing up to 60 tons toward the pyramid”s apex.
Scheuring elucidates that the construction of the Great Pyramid did not unfold like that of a typical building but progressed in phased stages. He describes a central initiation point from which the internal corridors branched out, allowing for upward and outward expansion over time. This method effectively eliminated the requirement for large external ramps, which have not been discovered despite expectations of their existence.
The research paper details how ropes were threaded over wooden beams situated within the Antechamber to facilitate the lifting of materials through vertical shafts, effectively turning the pyramid into a tool for its own construction. Scheuring”s model breaks down the construction process into distinct phases, distributed across the four sides of the pyramid. Given that the Great Pyramid comprises over two million blocks and reaches a height of 480 feet, this internal mechanism offers a plausible explanation for its efficient assembly.
