Author: cladking ()
Date: March 31, 2020 02:19AM
Steve Clayton Wrote:
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> 40 tons? Those would be some mighty big ropes.

Yes.

Of course there's only 30 tons on the ropes since 10 tons is sitting on the cliff face. It's a nice gentle 35 degree bend at the top so there's little stress on the rope in the pulley or turning stone. I think a 4 1/2" rope would be more than adequate but suspect they used larger than needed.

Hi Cladking,

A few things about using Funiculars up and out of the quarries. It is feasible, just as it would be over on the G1 cliffs. Your 4 1/2 rope size is unnecessary, as you can just gang up smaller diameter ropes to reach the same ability. If you have a source for an AE  4.5" rope, I would like to see that. Any pictures?

Efficiency: If you believe the walls surrounding those Pyramids, had any utility purpose, ie. water. Then again, pulling the stones downhill is still better. Better, because you can float the barges carrying the stones around the entire base of the pyramid. You could cut a channel, and float up against the base. Why pull stones, when you can float them into place. The distance to G1, is approx. 1,200 feet. That is approx. the same distance down to the Nile. Once you have them up on the quarry Funicular platform, you could easily pull off a skid onto a smaller barge. Though would they build all that, when they have already built the Causeway, which accomplishes the same?

Maybe it's my problem, though I have grown to really hate the idea of pulling stones around, if there is a simpler method. As I recall, they did float stones down the Nile, and preferred that to dragging them along side the Nile. Stone Pullers? Only when there was no other option.

So why build the Causeways then? It's the water which is performing the work, and floating stones is better than pulling stones, anywhere if you are able to do so...