cladking Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> MJ Thomas Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> > Are you basing this primarily on the slope
> and
> > direction of the entrance passage in the
> pyramids
> > at Meidum, Dahshur, and Giza, and the shafts
> in
> > Khufu’s pyramid?
>
>
> No. The Great Pyramid is different than the
> others in numerous ways

The only thing that clearly sets Khufu’s pyramid aside from its companions is its having passages and chambers with shafts high up in the superstructure.
And this is based on the not unreasonable assumption that no other pyramid has passages and chambers (with or without shafts) high up in its superstructure.


> This is caused by an
> array of reasons from the method used in its
> construction to its purpose.


Though it is not known for certain how the 4th-5th Dyn pyramids were built (i.e. raising the blocks into place) I see no reason to invoke anything beyond ramps, ropes, levers/fulcrums, mass manpower, and sheer guts and determination to achieve the impossible.
As to its purpose, I can’t see it as being anything more than part of a job creation scheme, a tomb for the king/pharaoh, and a monument to the king/pharaoh.
Can you say what, in your view, other purposes it served?


> This is evidenced by
> the multitude of differences between this pyramid
> and all the others (except Khafre's is similar).

Please see above.
Does “all the others” include the pyramids of the 5th and 6th Dyns., or are you referring only to those of the 4th Dyn.?
When you say “except Khafre's is similar” which features do you have in mind?
Beyond part of the entrance passage, I see these two pyramid interiors as very different indeed.


> While there were many reasons it was built I think
> the builders envisioned it as a send off point for
> the pharoah.

But did this “sending off” really need a pyramid to make it happen?
If I understand Roxana, Ritva, Warwick et al correctly – and I shall stand corrected if I don’t – the pyramid was not actually essential to the proceedings.


> > Sorry, I can’t see where a “greater
> availability
> > of water” comes into this.
> > Please could you elaborate?
> > Thanks.
> >
> > MJ
> >
> Water was king to the ancients. Yes, they did
> farm the valley but they farmed the "desert" as
> well. When they died they didn't go to the valley
> but to the "horizon" and to the "west" where they
> could farm. The "east" was a sinister place from
> whence came their enemies.
>
> As the Sahara expanded over the centuries it
> brought sand ever closer to Giza but it was not
> until the 25th century BC that there was no longer
> enough water to farm the west side of the Nile.
> It was at this time that the soil dried up and
> blew away. Before 3000 BC there was ample water.
>
>
> This is important for a lot of reasons, obviously,
> but I believe it also accounts for the means of
> building these enormous structures; water filled
> counterweights to lift the stones up the opposite
> side.

I’m afraid your point escapes me…

MJ