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The Mystery: How Was the Pyramids of Giza Constructed?
There hasn’t been any information found as to how the ancient Egyptians built the pyramids of Giza. Many of the stones used to build the pyramids weigh several tons. In today’s society, machines are used to move heavy loads. Not only has the movement of these massive stones but the precision in which these pyramids were built baffled scientists for centuries. Theories as to how these pyramids were built range from slave labor to the help of ancient astronauts.
Theories of how the pyramids of Giza were built
The first theory is one of the earliest theories about the building of pyramids. It was commonly believed by scientists that slave labor was used to build the pyramid. This theory was backed up by written accounts from the ancient Greek historian. He had written that the workers were slaves. From these accounts, scientists theorized that the massive stones were pulled by humans and animals using a series of ramps and ropes. Scientists thought that such hard labor could only be done by people who were forced to do it. While this theory was accepted worldwide for some time, some scientists broke away from this theory and came up with another one. These scientists theorized that people were more than willing and were paid to build these pyramids.
The second theory is that the pyramids were built by paid workers who were loyal to the Pharaoh. In 1990, graves of workers were found near the pyramids. While they weren’t mummified, the graves were preserved by the heat from the sand. When the tombs were opened, scientists found that the people inside was buried with beer and bread. These were signs that the people inside of the grave were highly regarded in ancient times. Scientists concluded that these tombs were the grave of the pyramid builders due to broken bones and misshaped backbones which pointed to a life of hard labor. Scientists theorized that these workers would pull the massive stones with ropes and ramps with the help of animals. Starting from the bottom and working their way up the pyramids. The ramps would get longer and longer. Once the pyramids were finished, the ramps were taken down. The first two theories seem very plausible. The next theory is a bit “out of this world” to be believed.
The third theory states that beings from outer space helped build the pyramids of Giza. One ancient astronaut theorist, Giorgio A. Tsoukalos, reference a text called Al-Khitat by Al-Maqrizi which described these beings. These beings, which go by several names such as "Teachers from Heaven," came to Earth with the intention of helping the advancement of the human race. With the use of other worldly technology, the “Teachers from Heaven” and humans were able to move the massive stones that were used in the pyramids. It is believed by ancient astronauts’ theorists that these beings used sound to levitate the massive stones into place. Instead of taking years to build, the pyramids were built in a matter of days and they were built in a close timeframe. The beings taught the ancient Egyptians advanced mathematics which is why the pyramids were built with precision.
The ancient astronauts’ theorists point to earlier pyramids attempted by the ancient Egyptians before the “Teachers from Heaven” appeared on Earth. These earlier pyramids were mathematically imperfect and collapsed after they were built. When the beings from outer space came, the pyramids they built lasted for centuries and these are the pyramids we see today. This theory also goes on to suggest that the reason the pyramids of Giza align perfectly with the stars is because this is some kind of interstellar roadmap to help the beings find the ancient Egyptian and to help teach the ancient Egyptian about where the ancient astronauts came from.
Which theory seems more real?
While all these theories are believed by one group or another, the second theory seems closer to the truth based on the evidence found. The ancient astronauts’ theory is too farfetched to be real. There have been no evidence as of yet to suggest there are humanoid life in outer space and no evidence that beings other than humans were on Earth. Mainstream scientists dismissed the ancient astronauts’ theorists’ claims and they can easily debunk any of the ancient astronauts’ theory with the use of the same ancient texts such as the Al-Khitat by Al-Maqrizi. Many of these texts have been mistranslated and/or misinterpreted by the reader. The slave labor could be possible. Forced labor was used throughout the ancient world to build buildings, roads, and other structures. There have been many written accounts of the use of slaves to build massive structures. Ancient Egyptians were known to have many slaves for various uses. The pyramids of Giza could have been built by a combination of slave labor and a paid work force. Since there have been no written account found about the builders of the pyramids only theories are left. However, the recent finds in Egypt has led many scientists to re-evaluate the slave labor theory and replaced it with a theory that a paid work forced was used to build the pyramids of Giza.
One reason why paid workers seem more plausible is the location of the tombs found in 1990. The tombs of workers were found near the pyramids of Giza. Scientists believe that to be buried near the pyramids was a great honor in ancient times. They concluded that those many graves near the pyramids couldn’t possibly be all slaves. There were also bread and beer in the grave so that the dead could eat and drink in the afterlife. This suggests that those in the tomb were buried with care and honor. The second reason was the care these workers received while they were alive.
Many of the workers died from injuries such as broken bones. Other bones shown sign of healed fractures which met the workers had doctors to take care of them. The workers were well fed. It is suggested that the workers ate meat daily which came from local farms. These workers, while highly skilled and taken care of while working, lived a short, hard life. This led to the theory that the massive stones were pulled by humans and not levitated. To get the stones into place, scientists believe ropes and ramps were used. Animals may have been used to help pull the stones with the workers.
A further study of the bones found in the tomb suggests that the workers came from various part of the ancient Egyptian kingdom. Scientists believe that the workers were farmers and other skilled workers who came to work on the pyramids during the time that the Nile was flooding the local areas. The Nile floods would have made work impossible for a large population of the ancient Egyptian kingdom. Paying these workers to build the pyramid would have helped the economy and society of ancient Egypt.
How the pyramids of Giza were built will remain a mystery until accurate written accounts are found. Whether the pyramids were built by slaves or a paid labor force using a combination of ramps and ropes, theories will be formed as new evidence is found and studied. As long as the pyramids refuse to give up their secrets, even strange theories such as the ancient astronauts’ theory and the use of levitation devices will always be around. Right now, scientists have more evidence pointing towards a paid labor force using a man power, ropes, ramps, and animals. This theory seems to be the best so far.
Reference
Kratovac, Katarina. (2010). Slaves Didn't Build Pyramids: Egypt. Discovery Communications. http://news.discovery.com/history/ancient-egypt/pyramids-tombs-giza-egypt.htm
Tsoukalos, Giorgio A. (2009). In Search of Ancient Aliens. A Division of Rita Louise. http://www.justenergyradio.com/show-archives/giorgio-tsoukalos-09-10-23.mp3
Anonymous. (n.d.). Evidence & Photos to Support Ancient Alien Theory. AliensWereHere.com: The Official Ancient Alien Theory Site. Safety Helpers.
