Scientists have put forward a new hypothesis regarding the construction of the Pyramid of Cheops
Researchers have once again turned their attention to a question that has sparked debate for centuries: how did the ancient Egyptians manage to build the Great Pyramid of Giza without modern technology?
This is reported by the journal NPJ Heritage Science.
According to the new theory, the builders may have used an internal perimeter ramp that rose as the structure grew. Unlike classical theories involving massive external ramps, such a design would have been part of the pyramid itself and would not have required enormous amounts of additional materials.
The study’s author proposes a model of an integrated ramp that ran along the structure’s perimeter. Stone blocks could be moved gradually—tier by tier—which allowed for a steady pace of construction and did not interfere with subsequent building phases.
After the completion of individual stages, the open sections of the ramp were likely backfilled and covered with new layers of masonry, which is why direct archaeological traces of such a system may have disappeared.
Computer modeling showed that under optimal conditions, stone blocks could be installed every 4–6 minutes. In this case, the main construction work could have lasted approximately 14–21 years, and taking into account logistics—stone quarrying, transportation, and material preparation—the total duration is estimated at 20–27 years, which aligns with historians’ estimates.
Separately, the researchers analyzed the structural integrity during construction. The simulation showed that the load on the limestone blocks remained within acceptable limits, and the pyramid could have been stable even during the stages of unfinished construction.
The hypothesis also partially explains the cavities discovered inside the pyramid. They may be remnants of an internal engineering system, specifically a ramp or auxiliary technical spaces.
If this theory is confirmed, it could significantly change our understanding of the construction techniques used for one of the most famous structures in human history.
Recently, at the Grand Egyptian Museum, staff began assembling an ancient wooden boat that belonged to Pharaoh Khufu in full view of the public.
As a reminder, in Egypt near the city of Luxor, a joint Egyptian-British mission identified the ancient tomb of King Thutmose II. This was the first discovery of a pharaoh’s tomb in over 100 years.
Last November, archaeologists made a sensational discovery in the necropolis of the ancient Egyptian city of Asyut. In the tomb of the powerful official Jefhehapi I, a secret chamber was discovered where his daughter, the priestess Idi, was buried.
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