Warwick L Nixon Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> "High population densities were only achievable in
> very small areas."
>
> you mean like the constricted Nile valley?? I
> have read estimates of anything between 500,000
> and 1,000,000 for the OK.
>
> but one cannot so easily compare Egypt to other
> societies. Like Rome or Greece
>



I suspect this is fairly accurate. The population today is around 70 million and many are in densities that greatly exceed primitive densities and are many times larger in area. Some of the ancient cities were barely half a mile across and only a couple stories deep. Today cities can easily top twenty miles across and average (smaller one) a few stories deep. Even the Nile valley was restricted to its ability to produce the food and the need for man power.

They could get 100,000 men to work the pyramids but the amount of effort to get there reduced their efficiency in building.

I still believe they had the manpower to build the pyramids, just not that it was possible to apply it to the job with any of the traditionally proffered means. You could have ten million men but if they're tripping over one another you can't even get the job started.





-edited to correct population from 80 million




____________
Man fears the pyramid, time fears man.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/25/2008 10:35PM by cladking.