Clive Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Hermione:
>
> You appear to miss the point.
> If Lehner insists on these pyramids built using
> long extended ramps then it is pointless reading
> whatever he has to say. He is basically telling
> the world that he knows nothing of civil
> engineering and absolutely ignorant of basic
> construction techniques.

Ahhh then the Roman siege ramp at Masada is ridiculous and proves they knew nothing of civil engineering. Foolish Romans, how dare they construct all across the ancient world with no basic knowledge...

> I repeat:
> Ramps were never built to the apex of these tall
> structures...it doesn't work, it's the "most"
> (please understand the significance of the word
> "most") inefficient means of raising stones.
> Do you understand that every stone set in place
> above the 1/3rd height requires the placing of
> more ramp stone than structure stone? And...it's
> worse as you venture higher with your
> building....plus...the ramp must be removed when
> the pyramid is finished.

And this proves what? That the ancients tackled large construction projects with time proven techniques regardless of the huge amounts of physical labor involved?
And the fact the pyramids are THERE doesn't prove the same thing?

> Try a little mathematics this weekend and report
> back to me with your findings.
> Here is the scenario:
> You are building G1 and have reached the 100th
> course level...150 Rc above base level.
> Base is 440Rc wide and the angle is a presumed
> 51.8+ degrees.
> I need the following info from you to confirm your
> method employed.
> 1) You must choose the angle of the ramp.
> 2) You must set the width of the ramp at startup
> and at the 150Rc level.
> 3) You must select what material to use for the
> ramp.
> 4) You must also decide where this material is to
> be disposed.
> The question is:
> How much material is required to raise your ramp
> to the height of the next level compared to the
> amount of stone blocks set at that level?
> When complete, I want you to visit this topic
> Now you may realize that the AE were intelligent
> individuals…not thoughtless haphazard “thumb-in
> –the-air” surveyors they are portrayed to be.
> Best.
> Clive

The answer is obvious; IF the AE used ramps then the amount of material it took is;
"Whatever it took".

The angle they would use is;
"As steep as possible and still be stable."

I am not saying they definitely used ramps, as I have no where near enough self confidence to state they MUST have, but I'm also not dogmatic enough to state they "couldn't" or "wouldn't" have.
I think the fact some ramps have been found indicates they knew what ramps were, how to construct them, and MAY have used them.

Jammer