Hello Don,

The dimensions and orientation of the base of Khufu’s pyramid strongly imply that its builders were master surveyors.
If we assume that this base was intended to be 440 royal cubits long, then we are looking at a mean length of
440 x 20.62” = 9073”.
According to Cole (1925) the north side, which is the shortest, is 9065”, giving an error of 0.0009%.
I see that Anthony is opting for an error of 1% but I think this figure does down the pyramid builders’ skill.

If A to B was intended to be 1.414 royal cubits x 1000 , then I can see the Giza surveyors getting very close to it – say within 1 to 2 royal cubits either way.
If I understand you correctly, the measures you quote from Petrie are within 3 royal cubits either way

On balance I’d say we are indeed looking at a distance equivalent to 1414 royal cubits or, as the surveyors would have seen it, 1000 double-remen (I note that Gillings thinks that the double-remen was used for land measure).
But was it intended to be this?
If I take into consideration my hypothesis on how the interior of Khufu’s pyramid was designed using a method involving the most basic of arithmetic and linear geometry, then I have to say that intent is most likely.
However, I am not convinced as yet that there was an initial overall plan for the layout of the Giza necropolis.
Currently I favour the idea of a vast geometrically-based layout evolving, so to speak, with each successive king.
Obviously, terrain was an important factor but I think that once that was dealt with the king/architect cast an eye about the plateau with arithmetic and geometry in mind as to the precise placement of the pyramid relative to other structures.

For what it is worth, I think that folks such as yourself, C. Wayne et al are to be encouraged in your researches into this fascinating aspect of the Giza necropolis.


You write, ‘Co-incidence ? Not in a million years.’

But, Don, you, me, and several other folks around here know that when somebody cries: coincidence, it actually means it is something that doesn’t fit in with their theories on the subject.

MJ