PLanning & Construction
Measuring
Ancient Egyptians used "cubits" and "hands" for measurements. "Cubits" were the length from the tip of your middle finger to your elbow and "hands" were the width of your hand with the thumb on the side. The Site
The builders had to start by identifying a site for the pyramid. They had to then mark out the site perfectly. This was tricky because they did not have any compass or other tools. But by using the stars they were able to mark the site. The Foundation Next the builders dug and made a level foundation. Once again with no advanced tools, they were still able to make a level foundation. Image Caption: Transporting the Stone Blocks. N.d. Photograph. Web. 11 Mar. 2014. <http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-w84DS6mAQZ4/TgZeFaEolOI/AAAAAAAAAsI/L7nPrtw1Now/s1600/BuildingPyramids6LWW%255B1%255D.jpg>.
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Getting the materials
Limestone, granite, basalt, gypsum and baked mud bricks were all used in building pyramids. All these materials came from quarries from all over Egypt. It is said that they used copper and stone cutting tools and used levers to move the large blocks of stone. It is still not clear how they transported the large stone blocks over such long distances. There are many explanations, some say they used wooden rollers, others say they used wood sleds and ropes. For longer distances they may have used the Nile River for transportation. Construction Egyptologists are still not clear on exactly how the workers moved the stones. It is said that once the stones were placed in the centre of the pyramid, stone workers began carving out the different chambers. Artists also started decorating the walls with hieroglyphics. Image Caption: Lever to Lift Stones. N.d. Photograph. Web. 11 Mar. 2014. <http://www.wyattmuseum.com/images/PYRLIFTAOK.gif>.
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