It seems that if it were something more than a ramp, (and to build a pyramid with a side length of only 52 meters and height of 37 meters, a ramp is all you need), then it would have been described as something "new", "exciting", "different", "surprising" or maybe even "revolutionary".

None of these words are used. In fact, it's about as vanilla as it gets.

Here's the exact quote:

Quote

The sarcophagus, which was uncovered at Abul Naga district in western Luxor, is decorated by picturesque paintings and cravings, he added.

"It also carries inscriptions showing the process of building the pyramids," he said.

Since Hawass operates under the confines of the Ramp Model, he's probably happy and unsurprised to find ramps attested at any point in Egyptian history. Problem is, his model is far too simplistic to account for all the variations we see in the hundred-plus pyramids that span the Old and Middle Kingdoms.

Remember his "There are 750,000 blocks in Khufu's pyramid because I sent a team of students out to count them" debacle in late 2002? That was actually quite funny.

Anthony

You can lead a horse to water but you can't make him think.