Steve Clayton Wrote:
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> 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?

Overbuilding and large safety margins are not "efficient" due to the added costs but they measured craftsmanship in large measure by effectiveness and they could not compute minimum tolerances so finely as we do. Also don't forget everything was "primitive" so ropes and other equipment would be more prone to weak spots and these spots would be weaker than modern materials. Yes, they could have used multiple smaller ropes but these would run a much greater risk of tangling and encountering unseen events that weakened or damaged them. It's easier to keep one large rope on the pulley than several smaller ropes.

If memory serves the existence of that 4 1/2" rope is hearsay but it was what I consider a "reliable" source and was accompanied by a picture of a large rope in decrepit condition. The size couldn't be determined from the photo. It's of little consequence since ropes can easily be made of any thickness. Larger ones simply require more time and material.

> ...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.

These "barges are becoming quite complex and I don't see the need. In addition to holding all these stones they have to hold three times their weight in water AND then have to float when the water is removed. Why do you want to float stones in the "itr.t-palace" anyway?

> 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.

The picture of men dragging stones is nonsense. They did not do this to build pyramids and it wouldn't have worked for building pyramids. And if they had some magic or religion that changed facts and logic and done it anyway there would be extensive evidence they pulled stones using man-power.

It didn't happen but this picture is so important to Egyptology they refuse to address the evidence, arguments, or to test it. We are stuck with ramps since it;'s a known fact that ramps are the only means these primitive people had to build pyramids. Hence they don't care about tower and core construction or the underlying five step pyramids that PROVE stones were pulled up from above and PROVE there were never any ramps.

So we are stuck on ramps and the builders had to live on ramps since there was no other place for them.

> 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...

They floated stones only where there was no other choice.

If you ever tried to walk around a lake or along a river you'll find that in most cases you won't get far. It would be impossible dragging a stone.