Al: I suspect you are highlighting this theory with your tongue firmly in your cheek?

SC: No - as a matter of fact I am genuinely curious about this particular theory. But, of course, if you think the pyramids were built solely from the power of human elbow grease then that is your perogative. Don't misunderstand me - I am not convinced of this theory myself but I do like to keep a more open mind and listen to the argument before forming a considered opinion.

Al: ...One of the theories involved large balloons (yes, balloons) lifting up the stones.

SC: No balloons here - just wind power and a kite.

Al: at the mercy of gusts and other sudden strong winds...

SC: From what I have read - don't quote me on it - the gusts of wind on the Giza plateau regularly reach 20+ MPH which, apparently, is sufficient speed to raise a large obelisk according to this theory. Bear in mind also - this is no longer a theory. It has been tested and proven! The only real question is whether the AEs, the inventors of the sail, would have used it.

Al: Lifting an obelisk 90 degrees one way under controlled conditions with a modern kite and modern pulley systems? Possibly. Building the pyramids from every angle this way? Nonsense. It would take more effort to control the damned kites than it would to simply move the stones using the appropriate amount of manpower. Think about the scale and complexity of the ropework alone, the problem of prevailing winds etc.

SC: I think you may have posted before I posted my last post. It explains much about the control mechanisms used and how this may have been depicted in AE art. Here:

[everleaf.com]

Al: The History Channel seems to fill its schedules with this type of headline-grabbing guff these days - that is, when it's not obsessing about the Nazis.

SC: I am not going to disagree with you on this.

Al: If you don't mind me asking - you know my view on your theories but I *don't* mean this in an adversarial way - but why can't you alternate history boys ever accept the simple, obvious explanation? Why are the outlandish contraptions *always* the answer? Is it simply a rejection of everything "orthodox"?

SC: First of all, I do not reject everything orthodox as you have stated. I largely accept the orthodox position concerning the building of the pyramids by the 4th Dynasty AEs. Secondly, - it is in our human nature to always question. When we stop asking questions, we stop progressing as a species. But in more direct response to your question - I do not for a moment believe our present understanding of our remote past is by any means a closed book. I don't think we have all the answers. We have a lot of understanding but there are still many questions to wit - do you know for certain how the pyramids were built to achieve the level of precision that you can't slip a cigarette paper between the joins? If you do then you're obviously keeping it to yourself.

Al:When you have vast amounts of manpower and patience - and the will of an absolute monarch - you really don't need some deux ex machine "technology" to explain human accomplishments like this.

SC: Well tell me then - how exactly do you lift and manipulate the 50-ton blocks of the KC in an area where only four to six people can stand when the elbow grease of at least 2000 workers would be required?

Al: And as MJ Thomas has rightly pointed out above, surely there’d be some kind of pictorial record of anything resembling a giant kite if it had existed in this era??

SC: See the link above.

Al: It would have been the wonder of the age, and not simply a construction device to be forgotten when the pyramids were completed.

SC: Agreed. But they may not have been entirely forgotten. Perhaps they told the Chinese??

Al: With respect Creigs, sometimes there is simply no substitute for hard graft and some good old fashioned “elbow grease”.

SC: Undoubtedly.

Al: I thoroughly enjoy reading new takes on the past, but I think there's something slightly off about denying the AEs the recognition for the blood, sweat and tears they poured into projects like this.

SC: No one is denying the AEs anything here. If they had discovered the means and were talented enough to make light work of a major undertaking such as building the pyramids, I am sure they would not have hesitated in deploying it. Think about it - 20,000 workers reduced to a handful of skilled kites-men! Pharaoh would have saved himself a fortune!

Regards,

SC

























Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 07/03/2007 04:59PM by creigs1707.