Ken B Wrote:
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> Hi Anthony,
>
> Can you please explain why, if the QC as a
> 'contingency' burial chamber, it was built with a
> niche, and also was only about half the size of
> the KC, and didn't have the (presumed) safeguards
> of a portcullis system?
>
I think I finally understand why people are having trouble with the concept. I'm not explaining myself well.
The 2nd Chamber had another ultimate purpose all together. It was designed, in size, shape and features, to accommodate that other function perfectly. However, this was the first time in their history that they had tried to build a burial chamber so far up inside the superstructure of a pyramid. Therefore, it became necessary to build in "contingency plans" for the early demise of the king. If he had died prior to the completion of the 3rd Chamber, the lower chamber was built so it could be retrofitted into a burial chamber for the king. The shafts could be chiseled out from the walls, a sarcophagus could be moved in, and so on.
Since he lived long enough, the chamber never had to be retrofitted, the walls were left intact, and Khufu was interred in the 3rd Chamber: the one with the granite sarcophagus we see today.
I'm sorry I never spelled that out more clearly here on the board. My sincere apologies.
Anthony
You can lead a horse to water but you can't make him think.