PUBLISHED: 09:56, Sat, Nov 28, 2020 | UPDATED: 10:05, Sat, Nov 28, 2020
Link copiedBelieved to have been built over a 20-year period during the Fourth Dynasty for the Pharaoh Khufu, the ancient monument is still shrouded in mystery. One of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, it is the only one still largely intact and is estimated to weigh approximately six million tonnes, and comprise of 2.3 million limestone blocks. There have been varying theories about the Great Pyramid's construction techniques, but the most accepted hypotheses are based on moving each of these stone blocks from a nearby quarry and lifting them into place.
But that is far from the truth, according to structural engineer Peter James, who has spent the last 14 years working on preserving the historic buildings and temples of Egypt with his company Cintec.
He detailed in his book ‘Saving the Pyramids: Twenty First Century Engineering and Egypt's Ancient Monuments,' how a discovery made during an excavation in the 19th century is pivotal to his theory.
Mr James wrote: “Flinders Petrie discovered stone sockets at each corner that had no apparent use and did not align with the outer casing or over-cladding.
Insurance Loans Mortgage Attorney Credit Lawyer“These sockets, I believe, were used to erect profiles made from timber.
The Great Pyramid of Giza could hide many secrets (Image: GETTY)
The pyramids were built more than 4,000 years ago (Image: GETTY)
“These can be seen on all building sites when the foundations are set out and are used to project the building line to create the right angles.
“I believe the ancient builders used visual sighting methods such as transits to mark out and measure lengths.
“The transits would be used to project a straight line, and I would have poles marked in cubits, say 15 to 20 cubits long, to measure the distances and without any rope or cordage.”
Mr James went on to detail how these finds would have helped construct the foundation of the pyramid.
He added: “The transits would also be very effective if used at night with small lights or lamps instead of poles.
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The sites of ancient Egypt (Image: GETTY)
“Once the base had been set out precisely, the angle of construction would be approximately 45 degrees, which is measured across the diagonals, not the face of the pyramid.”
Speaking to Express.co.uk, Mr James revealed how things panned out
