"L’extraction des blocs en calcaire à l’Ancien Empire. Une expérimentation
au ouadi el-Jarf", by Franck Burgos and Emmanuel Laroze.

[www.egyptian-architecture.com]

"This article addresses the techniques used for the extraction of limestone
blocks from quarries during the Old Kingdom. The study draws on the
latest research conducted at the Wadi al-Jarf harbor complex, located on
the western shore of the Gulf of Suez. Approximately one hundred extracted
blocks have been discovered there in an unfinished state, along with tools
such as ropes, wooden hammers, and pieces of copper chisels. The items
found in and around the quarry have led to a better understanding of the
methods used by the ancient stonecutters, to produce large-sized blocks.
To study the processes in more detail, an experiment was carried out to
extract a one cubic meter stone using replicas of the ancient tools found
at the site, and to test new hypothetical reconstructions of the steps
followed in the process. The information collected and the experience
gained has yielded new understanding of the organization of labor and has
resulted in cutting performance rates being estimated for the first time.
Information about the use of water to soften the stone during cutting of
extraction trenches has also been brought to light."