How the Great Pyramid Was Built by Craig B. Smith

by Craig B. Smith

"In this first in-depth look at the Great Pyramid of Giza as a colossal engineering and construction project, world-class engineer Craig B. Smith takes readers on a journey beyond even the expertise of archaeologists and historians. The most celebrated and enduring vestige of the remarkable ancient Egyptian civilization, the Great Pyramid is a structure without equal, one that has fascinated humankind for millennia. Its architectural precision is astonishing, and the question of how the ancients created such a structure using only the simplest of tools has vexed researchers and visitors alike." "Drawing on his extensive experience as an engineer, builder, and construction executive for many major public works projects, Smith provides the critical missing data about the actual planning and construction of the Great Pyramid." The book is filled with photographs commissioned exclusively for this book, along with many excellent hand-drawn illustrations of tools, materials, and building techniques.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Egyptology, Egypt

Hardcover

First published October 17, 2004

Reviews

[Iset · Rating 4 out of 5]

A detailed examination of just how Khufu’s Great Pyramid was built, from an expert engineer, this book contained pretty much everything you’d ever want to know about its planning and construction. It comes off a little dry if you don’t have an interest in mathematics, engineering, or architecture. It’s clear that Smith speaks authoritatively on his subject… but it’s equally clear in the introductory chapters where he discusses the general history that he’s no historian, as he makes three key mistakes.

Smith repeats a long since disproven theory that the ancient Egyptians were foreign invaders – we’ve known for a long time that they arose out of the local Stone Age inhabitants. He also states that Menes was the first pharaoh of a united Egypt – much later Egyptian myth claimed that Menes was the first, but actual contemporary evidence from the state formation of Egypt has never found a ‘Menes’. Perhaps the silliest boo-boo is that Smith states that Khufu’s vizier, Hemiunu, was his cousin, right after stating that Hemiunu was the son of Prince Nefermaat, Khufu’s brother… so, that would make him his nephew, not cousin.

7 out of 10

[Viivi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow, such a detailed, carefully constructed analysis of how the Great pyramid was constructed, coming from an engineer. The author takes into consideration multiple different theories and explains why or why not they are plausible, carefully calculates estimates, and present a very reasonable theory (at least to a non-engineer). Even after reading this book I still cannot fathom how brilliantly the ancient Egyptians managed to build the pyramid.

[Steven H · Rating 5 out of 5]

AN EVALUATION OF THEORIES ABOUT CONSTRUCTION OF THE PYRAMIDS

Engineer Craig B. Smith wrote in the ‘Author’s Note’ to this 2004 book, “I am not an archaeologist. I’ve drawn heavily on the knowledge and expertise of two leading authorities… for anything related to archaeology… My interest lies in the engineering and construction of the Great Pyramid, and that coincides with my own … expertise… as skilled as the ancient Egyptians were in constructing magnificent monuments… they were apparently far less concerned with leaving a paper trail of documents describing their plans and decisions. Most of the written records that have survived were retrieved from graves and tombs. From these we have been able to learn about the day-to-day lives of the workers and study the tools and methods they used… you will find some speculation in this book concerning problems that may have arisen and alternative methods the builders may have employed…” (Pg. 10-11)

He states, “a large number of able-bodied workers were required to feed both the pyramid builders land the rest of the population. However, the available workforce was equal to the task of building the pyramid. It was also essential to have willing workers with the necessary skills… the tombs of the workers and artisans at Giza… bespeak the pride they felt working on the pyramids---I find it inconceivable that slaves were involved… These people obviously took great pride in their work… What could motivate people to dedicate their lives to such a demanding project voluntarily? I believe the explanation lies in the fact that construction of the pharaoh’s pyramid was an act of national pride… that symbolized the strength and power of Egypt.” (Pg. 28-29)

He explains, “Laborers used tools resembling k… hoes for digging … Stonemasons used copper chisels and saws, drills, wooden mallets, wedges, wooden rollers, stone hammers, and … dolerite, a hard stone used to but blocks of granite… Many copper tools found at pyramid sites are displayed in the Egyptian Museum in Cairo… For transporting stone, they used sailing vessels and barges… the builders of Khufu’s pyramid did not have wheels or pulleys for moving or lifting loads. Instead, blocks of stone were levered onto wooden sledges and then dragged to the construction site by teams of laborers… for longer hauls it was necessary to construct ramps to bring blocks of stone up to the higher levels… For stone placement, a block could be set on a round dolerite stone (much like a ball bearing) and maneuvered into place. For placing very large backing stones… notches for levers were cut in the foundation platform or adjacent stones. These were later filled in or covered. To place heavy roof beams, the room was filled with sand, and workers placed the beams … while supporting them on the sand base. Then the sand was excavated. A similar approach was used to lower massive stones … into a subterranean chamber, placing it on the sand and then removing the sand.” (Pg. 82-85)

He acknowledges, “There is no conclusive evidence of exactly how the Egyptians lifted the stones and placed them on the pyramid. A number of theories have been advanced… Herodotus … indicated that a system of levers was used… There is CONSIDERABLE evidence … supporting the use of an inclined ramp or series of ramps.” (Pg. 90-91)

He continues, “actual construction of the pyramid depended on several other activities… especially the access road from the quarry to the site. The boundaries and retaining walls of the main concentration ramp had to be laid out so that as the pyramid rose, the ramp could rise with it. A small force of stonemasons could start early, cutting stones and preparing a stockpile…” (Pg. 119-120) He goes on, “These men worked hard and died young… the exhumed mummies of workers show deformed vertebrae, broken bones, and other signs of accidents and hard labor. They also display evidence of medical treatment… The evidence is overwhelming that these were not slaves. Slaves would not have been paid … the obvious respect these men received, nor would they have received medical treatment. Slaves would not have been honored by burial in elaborate tombs…” (Pg. 130)

He notes, “Pure copper is a relatively soft metal. However, such impurities as arsenic harden it and are beneficial for producing tools… All of the tools contained arsenic in concentrations… the early ones were made from soft native copper; later, in the Third and Fourth Dynasties, copper with arsenic appeared, and in the New Kingdom, bronze.” (Pg. 134-135) He continues, “Egyptian carpenters had many of the tools we use today: … saws, drills, hammers… and scrapers. Sand and sandstone were used as abrasives…” (Pg. 136)

He admits, “Unfortunately, no plans, drawings, or written records regarding the construction of Khufu’s pyramid have ever been discovered, and thus the central question of how these men successfully moved all of those blocks into place and stacked them to a height of 147 meters has never been definitively resolved… It is possible that wooden poles were used as rollers to move objects short distances… They could have constructed ramps based on an inclined plane or planes; they could have jacked up the blocks with levers, fulcrums, and movable supports positioned beneath the blocks; or they could have developed a counterbalance lever system similar to a seesaw… the most logical and expedient method was to construct an inclined plane or planes—a ramp or ramps---and drag the blocks upward by means of sheer manual labor.” (Pg. 153-154)

He continues, “In summary, the evidence for the use of ramps---written records, ramp drawings, and the physical remains of dozens of ramps built in several different styles---is overwhelming and compelling. But what about the alternatives? Could the builders of Khufu’s pyramid have moved and placed the stone blocks by other means? Not unless they had developed some type of highly advanced technology or equipment that vanished into history without a trace.” (Pg. 156)

He concludes, “Although we are still uncertain of just how the Egyptians built the Great Pyramid… We also must stand in awe of their program management techniques… The fact that the Egyptians could plan, organize, and execute an undertaking so complex, with the marshaling of so much labor… points to their remarkable skills in managing the work. Their program management was an accomplishment no less impressive than the legacy of stonemasonry they left behind.” (Pg. 233)\

This book will be ‘must reading’ for anyone interested in non-‘ancient aliens’ ideas about the construction of the pyramids, etc.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

A decent chunk of this is a fairly basic overview of the history, but the parts where he does draw on his expertise are fascinating.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

a little too technical but really interesting.

[George · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great in spots., absolutely pedantic in others and I am a retired PM.

[Brad Erickson · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little too much detail.

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a book you read because you are interested in both the topic (The Great Pyramid) and the approach (i.e. understanding how it was put there).

In the last 10-15 years there have been several books and television shows about the pyramids and probably construction methods. This book was published a few years ago and the author did contribute to the field both with articles and in television before that, so it was not really a ground-breaking explanation for me. However, the thouroughness and depth of the of the "investigation" are excellent. In a nod to "readability" I think Mr. Smith threw in a lot of "human interest" by tying the project back to Khufu's vizier, Hemiunu. I suspect the casual reader will not mind this theme, but I found it to be a bit too pervasive.

Although I have not run construction projects, I have run software and engineering project teams. The author's planning and explanations are both first-rate and highly plausible. He makes some astute and, with current knowledge from the archeological work, practical guess as to how the work was accomplished. Unfortunately, without an operational time machine, we won't knkow for certain how certain parts of the pyramid were built.

The book does not delve too far into the mysticism that is associated with the site, but it does put the construction into the cultural and historical milieu of Fourth Dynasty Egypt.

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

(From my Amazon review): The reader will have one question in mind after finishing "How the Great Pyramid Was Built": is this a book about Ancient Egypt, utilizing the tools of project management? Or a book about project management, using the Great Pyramid as an extended example? However, the answer is probably moot. Both project managers and Egyptophiles will gain excellent insights from reading Craig Smith's book. Dr. Zahi Hawass, the director of the Supreme Council of Antiquities in Egypt, provides the foreword. The analysis of the necessary infrastructure and the organization of the workforce is throrough and engrossing.



This book is not for the alternative theorist, but rather for the historically- and archaeologically-minded reader. One minor quibble: Smith appears to assume that the Egyptians knew that a triangle with sides of unit length 3, 4, and 5 would form a right triangle, whereas Richard Gillings (Mathematics in the Time of the Pharaohs) firmly rejects this notion. Still, they would seem to have had some sort of square or carpenter's ell. The first chapter, a general historical survey of ancient Egypt, does not add anything new, but is a good reminder for the casual reader and serves to anchor the building of the Great Pyramid in its historical era. All in all, a fascinating analysis that belongs on the shelves of both project managers and those interested in Egypt's most famous monument.

[Anthony · Rating 4 out of 5]

this book displays the aspects of the great pyramid of Giza. the pyramid of Giza is the largest pyramid in Egypt. in the book you can learn a vast majority of language and facts about the pyramids and about Egypt. also it showed me what the time was like and what the people had to go through.the pyramid of Giza is a fascinating topic and should be more looked into.

this book was very good and more people should read it it was very interesting how the pyramids were made and kept in such grate shape.this book really inspired me to look into the topic more and it is very interesting.

yes i recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn about ancient Egypt and pyramids. anyone who likes Egypt or pyramids should read this book. this book was very fun to read.

[Craig B. Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

• How the Great Pyramid Was Built is a significant book for students, scholars, and the general public. The author explains the history and the development of the pyramids from the mastaba to the step pyramid to a true pyramid. Craig Smith was motivated to write this book because of his engineering background, and he has accomplished something quite remarkable. By looking at the Great Pyramid as a straightforward construction project—something never done before to this level of detail—he has independently confirmed what archaeologists have recently come to believe about the size of the workforce.
—Dr. Zahi Hawass, Ph.D., Secretary General, Supreme Council of Antiquities

[Todd Stockslager · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not as good as I expected. Construction manager's view of how the Great Pyramid was built takes the approach of the pyramid as a massive construction project. From this he does derive some interesting assumptions, but tells them in flat, number-jumbled prose that is not just mind-numbingly dull, but curiously disorganized.

He should have hired a ghost-writer and a graphic artist to work with him to sharpen up the narrative and illustrate the theories with better photographs and artist's drawings.

[Ed · Rating 3 out of 5]

We don't know for sure how they were built. We may never know, unless the aliens who build them return to our planet and show us. But this offers a nice engineering perspective on the ancient puzzle, in accessible style.

[for-much-deliberation ...]

... wow, this sounds really cool and interesting, the construction of such in so ancient of times is truly a marvel...

[Susan Krich · Rating 3 out of 5]

The part of the book that led up to the building of the great pyramid was interesting. The actual building chapters were very technical and still only conjectures.

[Tom Morck · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was hoping for better. Interesting, but repetitious in some descriptions. Spent too much time on project management estimating and details, but that was the author's main approach and basis for the book.