According to my calculations based on measurements given by Petrie and Gantenbrink (see below), the floor line of the King’s Chamber south shaft intersects the south face of the Pyramid at 3176.41” vertically above the base of the Pyramid.

According to Petrie the top of course 104 is 3174.7” (N.E. corner) and 3176” (S.W. corner) vertically above the Pyramid’s base.

Given the maximum difference between the two sets of figures is only 1.71” (3176.41” – 3174.7”) is it acceptable to then argue that the floor of the King’s Chamber south shaft was intended to intersect the south face of the Pyramid at the top of course 104?

Thanks.

MJ

After Petrie:
Base to Descending Passage/Ascending Passage floor line intersection = 173.69”*
Vertical height of Ascending Passage floor line = 679.7”
Vertical height of Grand Gallery = 803.76”
Height of Great Step = 35.11”
Base of King’s Chamber walls to top of Great Step = 5.2”
Height of first King’s Chamber wall course = 47.04”
Height of Shaft at King’s Chamber’s south wall = 5.51”
Base of Pyramid to start of King’s Chamber south shaft =
173.69”+679.7”+803.76”+35.11”–5.2”+47.04”– 5.51” = 1728.59”

After Gantenbrink:**
Vertical height of south shaft
84.65” slope @ 39.2degs = 53.5” vertical
172.24” slope @ 50.54degs = 132.98” vertical
1657.08” slope @ 45degs = 1171.7” vertical
126.77” slope @ 45degs*** = 89.64”
Total vertical height = 1447.82”

Total vertical distance between base of Pyramid and projected exit point of south shaft at south face = 1728.59” + 1447.82” = 3176.41”

Notes:
* Petrie gives this measurement as 172.9” but it is incorrect (mind-stunningly boring details available on request )

**I took these figures from Gantenbrink’s CAD drawings at [www.cheops.org]
The individual sections are not as accurate as I would like (I’ve had to guesstimate the millimetres) but taken collectively I think the results are – a view supported by the closeness of Petrie’s and Gantenbrink’s mean readings of the shaft’s mean gradient at respectively 45:13:40 and 45:11:27.

*** I assume (reasonably so?) that the last (now missing) 127” of the shaft continued at the same gradient as the 1650+” before it.