Physics Reveals How the Pyramids were Actually Built

[@chevyyyyyyy]

How does one slide them to position and how does one put and slide them on the apex?

[@QIgorecki]

and how do they insert the first point in the machine for pivoting over the stone? :)

[@anarchytelevision8445]

As a construction worker I have noticed that the people that draw the blueprints really have no idea how things work in the real world, I would like to see actual real world experiments using this theory

[@recoilrob324]

Some Japanese engineers tried to duplicate building a small pyramid using these techniques...and failed miserably. They had to resort to using modern heavy lifting machines and still ended up with a very poor little excuse for a pyramid. They say that the Egyptians placed one block every 6 minutes...yet the device they postulate that was used to lever them into place would take hours to build at each block location. Obviously this is NOT how it was done....at least not in the timespan they claim it took.

[@CodeAlpaca]

@@recoilrob324 Funny how things work in parallel so every 6 minutes is actually a very reasonable number. I highly encourage learning how computers function and you'll realize how powerful doing tasks in parallel is

[@rufioswitch2132]

@@recoilrob324 HAHAHAHA your "calculation" assumes one stone was laid, while the other 50,000 workers stood around doing nothing, and only when that stone was laid, the next 50 moved their block, etc. The pyramid is 230 METRES long by 230 METRES wide (ie 2x the size of an olympic running track), meaning there are roughly 100 blocks PER SIDE. So obviously at any one time, at least 50 blocks would be being levered into place. So immediately your calculation changes from one block moved into final place every 6 minutes to every 300 minutes ie every 5 hours. So each team only had to get their block into place once every 5 hours. So yeah, easy. These machines also aren't being "built", they are built and ready to move blocks. There would have literally been 1000s of these waiting for use, with up to 100,000 workers according to records.

[@kifkroker6483]

I have watched countless documentaries on how the pyramids were built. This is the best and most credible explanation I have found: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gX6kpZ6grsSMgZY

[@RT-jv3su]

Look up “man lifts 20 ton block by hand” and you can watch a video of a guy using this technique to stand a huge stone up on end.

[@jramir2]

So its basically like that machine and method used by that old guy demonstrating it in his backyard with those pillars of concrete?

[@stiffrichard2816]

And it fell on his foot.

[@localenterprisebroadcastin5971]

😂 this has to be the grossest oversimplification I have ever seen in my entire life… you have solved but one of a thousand challenges of that construction project. Congratulations you’ve got 999 more logistical feats to solve.

[@jefft6802]

Yeah, he talks about the 10 ton blocks but eludes the dozen 70 ton blocks 270 feet in the air. 😆

[@nikivan]

So, how long it would take to raise a single block? And how many machines you'd need to operate simultaneously to get the 6 minutes per block performance?

[@DrJohnDev]

Great questions! So first off, the 6 minutes per block performance is only necessary if only one block is being laid at a time. By using multiple machines at the same time (at different sections of the pyramid), the time allocated per block increases significantly. For instance, if even 10 Herodotus machines are operating at once, then this allows for around 1 hour of time to be allocated per block. With 10,000 workers operating at any given time, there were likely many operating in tandem. So for a single block, let's do an estimate: It depends on a couple of factors: the thickness of the wooden slats being used as pivots, and (perhaps more importantly) how fast the men want to work. A rough estimate: (1.05 meter height)/(5 cm thick slats) = 21 slat layers needed to raise one block over another block. So, (21 slat layers)*(2 rotations / slat layer) *(30 seconds / rotation) = 21 minutes

[@jdw6925]

This is the question and it requires demonstration - physics and all that. (It's 6 minutes per block, day and night non stop for about 20-30 years - just to quantify).

[@jdw6925]

@@DrJohnDev Hmm, there's going to be major logistical and accuracy problems arising with the system you outline. Also, 1 hour to raise a block a height of 150 feet, say. Think you'll have to demonstrate this. I know that the guys that tried to reconstruct the building of the pyramid some years ago (Dr, Lehner et al.) tried the sort of method you're suggesting and I recollect that they encountered stability issues at about head height - I think it took them about 23 hours to get a 1.5 tonne block into place about 30 feet up or so. Even then, they had gaps about a finger width between the blocks I think, which is somewhat opposed to how closely the pyramid blocks are placed. Enjoyed the video very much though - thanks.

[@pauljgentile]

I agree with you , but you also forgot to consider that there are workers who would not listen to directions causing more delays, complain about lunch breaks and goof off which adds even more time. And where's all the wood that was needed to make the levers? Sounds more reasonable that blocks were moved by sound waves :). @@jdw6925

[@TheJacov]

@@jdw6925: I think I saw the same documentary, and they did indeed encounter those difficulties. However, there are some factors to consider here. As far as I know, none of the participants were expert stonemasons, none of them were expert construction workers, and none of them were masters of the use of counterweights, while the ancient Egyptians were acknowledged masters of all three skills. Also experience counts. The Egyptians were doing this for a living, day in and day out, so they had plenty of time to acquire the skills needed. Just my two cents😁

[@ivo2495]

After watching the video I thought the subscriber count said 484k and not 484. Now when you do reach it I can proudly announce I was your 485th sub. Sending love from Bosnia

[@DrJohnDev]

Really appreciate your support and kind words! Comments like these make it all worth it! Glad you enjoyed the video, and hope you enjoy my videos to come! It's a journey upward, but hope to see you there! :)

[@johnedwards2119]

Having raised a block, how would it have been moved sideways onto the pile? There's no indication of a mechanism to re-position the block. Ideas? Thanks. Cheers.

[@burnerjack01]

1 block every 6 minutes. How many slats per minute? For ONE layer… How many layers of stone are there? Gets more unbelievable the more one considers it in its entirety.

[@pareidoliarocks]

And they had to be precisely cut with a copper chisel, and transported to the work site within the allotted time. Impressive! Oh yeah, you can also saw the blocks by rubbing sand on them... forgot about that.

[@opamp7292]

@@pareidoliarocks😂

[@tubetonez]

To be fair, if you consider one crew per block, then 2 crews would have 12 minutes each to lay two blocks, 3 crews =18 minutes etc. This video illustrates the concept of building from the middle out: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mKCvfWajmcZnl9E

[@rufioswitch2132]

WRONG - it's only one bliock evert six minutes IF only one block is ever moving at the same time. Obviously 50-100 of blocks would be moviing at the same time into final place, in small teams of around 20 people working per block using one of these wooden machine. So it's actually one more like one block per team every 5 hours. The great pyramid base is more than twice the size of an olympic running track (it's 920 metres on the 4 sides).

[@OnGuard3S]

The block would need to be set in some sort of cradle that would need 3 features. 1 Dawgs at the edges of the block to keep it from sliding off while tilting, 2 detents on the bottom to keep the assembly securely on the pivot points, and 3 it would need the ability to be disassembled under load when the block gets to the top, or when the assembly gets to the final position where the block will be set. This is a great video for explaining the math of leverage, but I think there are too many missing pieces to conclude that this is how the pyramids were built.

[@DrJohnDev]

These are some interesting points, and some interesting things I could address in a follow up video. This is a neat video of a man from Michigan lifting heavy concrete blocks by himself. You may see something familiar. Thanks for your insightful comments and hope to see you around again! kzbin.info/www/bejne/e2bTi2qrh5upbsUfeature=shared&t=166

[@Kitties-of-Doom]

@@DrJohnDev Not to mention the 8,000 tons of granite in the GP alone, 70 ton stones that were jacked 150 meters into the body of the pyramid. The secrets of the pyramid builders as well as anything of significance in Egypt, like temple of Osiris don't lie in the lifting of the blocks, that's a dead end avenue that makes individuals miss everything else. They miss everything and celebrate fool's gold when they come up with something that sounds good. The secrets lie in stone fabrication and precision joints that are all over, tight joints that modern construction doesn't produce EVER. Quarry processes, kilometers of tunnels plowed into bedrock, all apparently with chisels and copper saws. Diodorus and Herodotus produced historical record as they spoke with Egyptian priests. Records of an advanced civilization reigning in Egypt dating 20K BC and beyond. That historical record was then corroborated precisely with the discovery of the Turin Kings list in the 1800. Last two lines of the Turin kings list read "Venerables Shemsu-Hor, 13,420 years; Reigns before the Shemsu-Hor, 23,200 years; Total 36,620 years.” drop this stone lifting all together, it'll do good for your channel. cHECK OUt improbable timeline of the old Kingdom -the Mega pyramid builders. check out some stuff i've created as well. cheers, great production! subbed

[@DrJohnDev]

Thanks for subscribing, and interesting comments. Certainly more to investigate and consider. While I do believe the lifting is one of the key hurdles to building the pyramids, there are certainly more obstacles the Egyptians needed to overcome. I'll check your channel out and let you know what I think. Cheers!

[@jasonmaxwell9762]

They built it from the ground up from the inside. The pyramid itself is used as the lift as the pyramid is built. They have found tunnels that follow the perimeter on a 45 degree angle all the way to the top.

[@jimitb7960]

I prefer to believe that the Annunaki put them there!

[@drd4059]

Just one more thing to consider: are the wooden rods strong enough to support 10 tonnes?

[@TheJacov]

@drd4059: Yes they are, in fact they can support much more. The reason is that the wood is being used in a compression mode, and wood's compressive strength is much higher than it's tensile strength. As an example, wooden shoring was used to help move a lighthouse weighing about 1200 tons almost a mile, there is a video of this move being done. It involved laying down steel mats for a temporary roadway, multiple synchronized hydraulic jacks and all manner of other stuff. The whole process took months, but it was successful. 😁

[@TRICK-OR-TREAT236]

NO

[@bellybutthole]

Your question is stupid; It's like asking if air is strong enough to support a balloon.

[@johannjohann6523]

Shoot 10 tonnes was a tiny pebble to the ancients that built the megalithic structures. lol. You're being very kind. And I have no idea, but it doesn't seem like wood would be the material of choice to move very heavy blocks. And pulling the stones on a wooden sled wouldn't work either as many like to say how the pyramids were built. Sand is a terribly loose material to move objects on. If you used a sled as you pulled the sled the weight of the block would continually and gradually push the sled and itself downward digging itself into the sand. That's why I think they used rails, like we do for our trains. It's the best way to move heavy objects now, and probably back then too. Yeah, I think we're selling the ancient people short of their capabilities and tools/machinery they used.

[@TheJacov]

@@johannjohann6523: About the 10 tons, true they moved far heavier masses, but the basic principles and methods remain the same. As to the wood, it depends on how it's used. If you try to build a wooden structure to directly lift extremely heavy objects (think cranes and such here) then it is true that wood will not work. However when it is used as shoring jacks it can lift at least 1200 tons or more (it was used this way to move a 1200 ton lighthouse in recent times). As far as the sand goes you are correct that dragging sleds directly on sand would be nearly impossible. Since the Egyptians did not have strong enough metal alloys to make metal rails, the most likely way to move across sand would be wooden rails (in the form of massive beams) which would have been used in conjunction with sleds for transport. Well why use sleds at all I hear you ask. Well as many of the quarries were upriver from the job site, sleds would facilitate the transition from land to barge to land again. Again we don't really know the exact methods they used but the basic principles are clear enough.😁😁😁

[@kayakMike1000]

Just because we are skeptical of your hypothesis doesn't mean we think aliens did it.

[@DrJohnDev]

I'm not so sure you're speaking for everybody.

[@Odin197188]

What hubris on your part. Either I’m right, or there’s no explanation. GTFOH

[@firstlast-gr9xs]

Still does not explain the amount of workers needed to move one block in 6 minute for millions of blocks.

[@patrickvalentino600]

Nor does it explain or take into account the ability of the inserted slats to support the weight of the block... What is their tensile strength?

[@DrJohnDev]

It is explained actually. The Egyptians used multiple machines in tandem. If even only 10 machines are used simultaneously, the number is raised to 1 hr per block. It can only come up from there.

[@DrJohnDev]

Compressive strain would actually be more relevant. And it’s around 1 ton per cm. So with the appropriate thickness, the slates can support the weight.

[@Expedient_Mensch]

also, could the slats have been made of copper or brass or stone.@@DrJohnDev

[@TheScreamingFrog916]

Thanks for answering, I was curious about this too. I wonder how many times they could be used, before getting "chewed up", by the rocking motion? As the block makes contact with the corners of the slates, each time it is rocked. How perfect would the slates have to be, so as not to deform the stack as it gets higher. How many slates, of what dimension, would it take to lift a block of given dimensions. What kind of wood, available to them at the time, would satisfy the requirements. Would love a deeper dive into the slates, and material requirements, of the lifting device itself. Thanks for doing this @@DrJohnDev

[@keithmcwilliams7424]

They used ramps for the lower part of pyramid as they got higher they used wooden cranes with counter weights😊

[@HoustonTexasAMG]

Yall trying to figure the pyramids out, while im trying to figure out whats for dinner.

[@DrJohnDev]

😂 some days, even getting dinner together is considered a good day. Thanks for watching and have a great weekend!

[@DTHRILLS.DANIEL.THRILLRIDETV]

😂

[@politicallyincorrectrob906]

Interesting but how did they get those blocks to the site from 500 miles away.?

[@DrJohnDev]

Very great question! As I understand, they used water vessels to transport the stones. Although, this would be an excellent topic to cover in a follow up video.

[@stephshowdown]

The graphics are awesome. I learned so much!

[@DrJohnDev]

Great! Glad you enjoyed it! It was fun putting together. Blender does some neat things 🙂

[@erk6700]

Ahhh... Blender ! Need to look into that. Familiar with Inventor. Solid Works. IronCAD

[@QIgorecki]

how do you even center the block and setup for first tilt?

[@NedNednNeddie]

To me Egyptians as we know it didn’t build the pyramids..if this is the case we could build a Herodotus machine as we see it and build a pyramid using the same technique…but we haven’t because we can’t. Not only cutting the stones and moving them. I’m not saying your explanation is not spot on it is ..I imagine pre flood humans using a technology like this realistically, but used by giants, man and giant together or something or someone extremely strong. The cutting, moving and the lifting is mind boggling. The best way to prove all of these methods is to do it in its entirety. Then we will know.

[@DrJohnDev]

Why jump to these extraordinary claims that have no scientific or empirical evidence?

[@rufioswitch2132]

@@NedNednNeddie wally Wallington built a Herodotus machine in his backyard and raised 10 ton blocks by himself with the machine with wood sticks as levers. It’s been on KZbin for 10 years. He replicated Stonehenge with a huge cross beam top using this exact method

[@cybair9341]

Smart use of levers. Now, how do those blocks were placed and removed from the machine ? And how those machines were placed in tandem so that the blocks could be moved from machine to machine ? I hope there will be some follow-up on this ancient technology.

[@DrJohnDev]

These are some excellent questions, and I plan on making a follow-up addressing these questions. So the Herodotus machines would have likely been lifted up and over the blocks. Trenches could have been dug around the blocks such that the machine sits lower than the base of the block. A trench could have been dug through the sand under the block to feed the first wooden slat through the machine. Certainly some finesse, but also within the realm of possibility.

[@another3997]

​@@DrJohnDevAnd how do you raise those machines up to well over 400 feet in to the air? Khufu's pyramid is currently 454 feet tall, but was thought originally to be 481 feet tall. That's around 140 metres. Each machine would, by necessity, be bulky and heavy. The machines would have to be lifted over each "layer", but, that becomes difficult at the outer layers because there is very little room to put anything on.

[@DrJohnDev]

This is an interesting point about the outer edges and the lack of clearance. I also wondered about this. I would imagine temporary wooden scaffolding would have been used, much like it is used in modern construction today as a temporary support. This scaffolding would have been removed after the completion of the construction.

[@ShonMardani]

Pyramids are piled up blocks of stones which were excavated to build the Suez Canal by brits.

[@yukelalexandre8885]

No. They floated all the stones around, that’s how they did it. Look it up. All these mechanical means are incomplete and much less efficient. The king’s chamber is a primitive hydraulic piston that pushed one stone into the wall and everything is hidden behind it.

[@johnnyboy-f6v]

I am constantly amazed at how long ago the Great pyramid was built. Four and a half thousand years ago! It has not even been one thousand years since the Battle of Hastings in 1066. I am in awe of the Egyptians and their engineering prowess!

[@DrJohnDev]

It is indeed impressive! Their technology was extremely impactful - from levers to sundials. Hope to return to this topic soon and explore more of the technology of the ancient world. Thanks for your feedback 😀

[@rajate]

It’s impressive how so smart people like the Dr. takes time to explain all those formulas, but is the “every 6 minutes” 24/7, what throws every thing off. It takes 6 minutes to cut 10% of 1 side of those blocks, it may take hours to just cut it. Now transport it will take hours or days, and bring it to just 4 Ft. of high, may take several minutes, now lift it up to hundreds of feet. That’s 24/7 counting the nights, only using all hours of day time, it’s 3 minutes, 3 minutes my A#%!

[@DrJohnDev]

Haha, I certainly understand your disbelief in how these numbers seem absurd! But this calculation was only for perspective. Those numbers actually aren't correct if multiple machines are acting at the same time, in tandem. For instance, with 10,000 workers, let's say 5,000 workers are assigned to operate the Herodotus machines and lift the blocks. Each machine would require around 20 men to operate. So that means 250 machines could be lifting blocks around the pyramid at any given time. So with 250 blocks being laid at a time, what does that mean for the time allocated per block over 27 years? This means each block is allocated 1 day to be laid on the pyramid over the 27 year period. A bit more breathing room, with even workers to spare :)

[@zen_bush]

How did they get the blocks there?

[@DrJohnDev]

Great question! So although the Herodotus machine wouldn’t have been used to transport the blocks horizontally, horizontal displacement is a much ‘easier’ feat than vertical displacement. Namely, if you reduce friction as much as possible, the block becomes easier to move horizontally. Methods such as transporting the blocks with sleds over water logged sand have been documented as possibilities. Horizontal displacement also doesn’t have the same restrictions on worker numbers as vertical displacement. For instance, the blocks can be wrapped with an arbitrary number of ropes and many workers can work together to move the blocks horizontally, unlike the restriction on vertical displacements. Excellent question and hope this answers it!

[@jdw6925]

@@DrJohnDev Demonstrating how a 10 tonne block (or even 70 tonne block) can be pulled horizontally across sand using a sled, water and papyrus ropes is something that should be easy to do. However, nobody ever does any form of demonstration. Instead, there's just a lot of words and documents used as proof. Why do you think that is? There's no shortage of 10 tonne blocks lying about on the planet, there's plenty of water, sand and even papyrus. i personally would be happy if modern ropes were used as a first demo.

[@QIgorecki]

how do they insert the first point in the machine for pivoting over the stone? :)

[@rhenry7949]

It's nice how the pivot guide of the machine on the side closest to the block magically disappears when you need to shift the block into position. Also is there wear on the blocks at the pivot positions and the bottom leading edge as well as marks on the top lead edge of the base stone showing the work of moving the block from the machine and into position on the base block? how long does the lever need to be at you place the top stones? How does the base of the machine shift inward to allow for stone placement as the base drifts to the center mass of the pyramid?

[@TheJacov]

@rhenery7949: Kinda depends on the orientation of the jack, but there are problems either way. There are solutions either way, some more difficult than others. The actual orientation of the jack depends on a lot of factors, so ya pays yer money and takes yer choice.😁

[@DrJohnDev]

I can’t understand what these questions are even asking.

[@craigdewar6301]

The maths quite clearly proves that the herodotus machine could have been used to lift the blocks. But I cant imagine it would allow for the precision the pyramid was built with.

[@DrJohnDev]

Thank you for your comment and excellent point. Additional scaffolding and tools would certainly be needed to guide the blocks into their precise locations, once lifted. This is a good point and one I may revisit in a follow up. Thanks again for your input and thanks for watching!

[@craigdewar6301]

@DrJohnDev in all honesty I don't think that mystery will ever be solved. Mostly due to the incomplete information given to solve it with. The era it was alleged to have been constructed, its purpose, and the tools that were available, which is speculative. Gobkli Tepe for instance, predates the pyramids as does the Sphinx. You'll be pleased to know that Aliens are not in the equation 🤣

[@DrJohnDev]

🤣 Well, that's certainly more digestible. Interesting remarks about Göbekli Tepe and the Sphinx. You're right that incomplete information makes the task more speculative. The best we can do at present is try to apply science (non invasively) to the little information we do have. And for the things not entirely clear... some things are best kept preserved in the mysteries of history.

[@Roger-nk5ug]

Right. And the pyramids had a LOT of blocks!

[@craigdewar6301]

@Roger-nk5ug not sure what you mean by that. The herodotus machine is capable of lifting the blocks, and it looks like it would have been easy to construct a lot of them. It just doesn't account for the precision. Aligning the Pyramids to true astronomical north and built encompassing dimensions relating to the globe is no walk in the park. Graham handcocks documentary ancient apocalypse is really interesting. There is certainly more to be learned about these megalithic sites around the world

[@bobibest89]

There are so many problems with this hypothesis... 1. The lever system needs massive amount of thick and long wooden beams. 2. Egypt doesn't have much forests..let alone tree species that are suitable for this type of application. 3. Efficiency is very low. Lifting a 3 ton block 1m will take several hours. 4. How do you arrange this machines to work in tandem? 5. After just several days of operagion the wooden beams will get cracks. 6. The sun and rain will cause the unprotected wood to rot. 7. The wooden pieces that are stacked ùnder the block will get squashed after repeated operation.

[@tsg2009]

Because they cut all the trees down to build the pyramids

[@rufioswitch2132]

@@bobibest89 the sun will cause wood to rot? 😂😂. There are no trees? Ever heard of the Nile delta? 4500 years ago there was more rain and more Christian Wally Wellington built this exact machine in his backyard and lifted 10 ton blocks 4 metres up by himself with just wood. It’s in KZbin, got check it out!

[@joshualeach2706]

The great pyramid’s blocks were often 50 tons. Also, how did they make the precision cuts with tools available at that time?

[@DrJohnDev]

So for the 50 ton blocks, the machines could still be used. The wooden slats would certainly need to be thicker than the ones used for the smaller blocks. But notice, the thickness of the slats drops out of the equations. So they can be any arbitrary thickness to accommodate any weight. For the more massive blocks, additional weights could be placed on the top surface of the block to add more counterweight and assist with the heavier loads. This is a great question and I'd be eager to learn more about the precision cutting tools they used. Certainly there are more topics to investigate!

[@Roger-nk5ug]

Exactly! The explanation in this video falls way short, unfortunately.

[@DuaneCowell]

Sound for cutting? and for moving for that matter ?

[@DrJohnDev]

Why resort to some unfounded, fantastical technology that doesn’t even exist today? Wouldn’t the similar and more historically accurate technology be more plausible?

[@trentvlak]

Good animations. I have lifted many a 1 ton limestone block with pulleys and levers, but I used my 4wd Jeep to pull the rope ;).

[@DrJohnDev]

That sounds like a good time! Thanks for watching and hope to see you around again!

[@physicsalmanac]

But Graham Hancock said physics won't allow this... and therefore they were lifted with sound. Now I don't know what to think!

[@DrJohnDev]

Interesting perspective. I’m not familiar with his video, but would be curious to watch. Certainly it is still challenging but not physically impossible. Thanks for watching!

[@physicsalmanac]

@@DrJohnDev I was being facetious ;) kzbin.info/www/bejne/p4LUpaWVfbWJpNUsi=jadrlwe2kTrc9NyT

[@booya3862]

Hancock is not an engineer or a physicist or a historian or an anthropologist oran archaeologist... He studied sociology😂😂

[@stiffrichard2816]

​Considering that we really don't know, I don't blame anyone for entertaining far out theories.

[@landofstan246]

Interesting approach to explain the math of the lifting machine, although the title is misleading. Should have read, "Physics Reveal How the Pyramids Lifting Machines Work.

[@DrJohnDev]

Thank you for the support! There is certainly quite a bit of topics to cover with ancient Egypt and I believe some follow up topics should be in order 😀

[@TheScreamingFrog916]

Would love to see more from you, on this subject. @@DrJohnDev

[@DrJohnDev]

​@@TheScreamingFrog916 I think I need to have a follow up with this one. Stay tuned!

[@another3997]

or, "physics reveals how the Great Pyramids lifting machines MAY have worked". Because by the time tne Greeks came along and asked how things were done, those Pyramids had been standing there for over a thousand years. What the Greeks were told, and what they thought they were told, may well not match up, as we have several historical examples of misunderstandings and what appears to be guesswork by those doing the explaining. 😂

[@sabbir77580]

Watching it with my daughter! Great job, dude

[@DrJohnDev]

Awesome man! Thanks so much! Hope you guys enjoy!

[@AlWaller-zp9rg]

(2 of 2) Another lifting method you could illustrate with Physics is an external fulcrum (pivot) method similar to a shadoof that could be used for the vast majority of the 2.3 million blocks which are less than 2 tonnes. A simplified example calculation of a stone fulcrum about 2.5 m tall located 1 m from a 2 tonne block can use a 6 m long lever (ropes at each end) to give a 5:1 mechanical advantage when the lever is horizontal (halfway through the lift). There are some lateral forces on the fulcrum when the lever is not horizontal (short lever end swings in a small vertical arc) which need to be accounted for in an engineering analysis of the required strengths and weights of the lever, fulcrum, and ropes. By using 4 lever sets (1 for each corner of block’s top; 2 at starting level and 2 at target level), only 100 kg downward pull on each long lever end can lift 1 m in 1 movement (and then swivel horizontally onto the next level!). Lifting ropes can be quickly disconnected from the block and moved to set up for next lift. Obviously many other theories, but this is directly comparable to your Herodotus machine calculations scaled down to 2 tonne block - 400 kg lift total for external fulcrum vs 224 kg for Herodotus. Could either method be supercharged by fixing 1 end of the rope at each lever’s long end to the ground and loop over the lever like a moveable pulley to gain another 2:1 mechanical advantage (less friction loss)?

[@DrJohnDev]

Interesting. I hadn't considered an external fulcrum, but this seems to be an equally if not more effective method. If you have any resource suggestions on this device or links, I'd love to study it more carefully. I would imagine external levers would be more effective as the size of the pyramid grew, especially given the clearance requirements along the perimeter of each level. A revisit to ancient construction is on my list of upcoming topics, and I find this really fascinating. Thanks again for your feedback and suggestions. I'm always looking for great topics to explore.

[@FunderDuck]

Very insightful and well-made video!

[@DrJohnDev]

Thanks so much for the feedback @FunderDuck! It was fun to figure out!

[@another3997]

​@@DrJohnDevWhilst you may have enjoyed "figuring it out", you have singularly failed to explain how the ancient Egyptians manged to move so many blocks in such short time. Have you figured out how long it would take to lift each block? How did they get the apparatus up to each level? How many machines would they need? What did they use as the pivot rods? How heavy would each be? None of this is explained by your video.

[@gerryb5578]

Did they have the rope technology for this

[@DrJohnDev]

Great Question! So the ancient Egyptians were quite pioneers in rope. Here's a good reference article from Springer in case you'd like to learn more: link.springer.com/referenceworkentry/10.1007/978-1-4020-4425-0_8686#:~:text=The%20enormous%20ropes%20used%20in,of%20160%20mm%20in%20diameter.

[@noleftturns]

There are KZbins showing the rocking motion of the block and using wooden slabs did lift the blocks. This was done with a real 5,000-pound block and real people rocking the block. So just small sticks and rope lifted the blocks up one course in 15 minutes. Moving the blocks from the quarry to the pyramid was done with small logs and rope too. A harness of rope attached 3 logs to each of 4 sides and the blocks can be rolled with 2 people easily. That's how the Egyptians built the pyramids - small logs and rope.

[@andthensome512]

Herodotus actually gives a pretty good account of how they were built. Basically, they had scaffolding, lever machines to lift blocks to each level and was done top-down.

[@nohomafia1169]

I like the video. But how did they "scoot" the blocks horizontally?

[@DrJohnDev]

Great question! So there's been a number of theories on that. One theory: the last wooden slats used can extend over the target surface. Then, the block could still pivot between these final slats, but each rotation can be accompanied with a slight axial rotation (rotation about the z-axis). Performing successively would effectively walk the block off the platform. Does that make sense?

[@martiansurgery]

Pyramids, Sphinx ALL left over from the last civilization of man

[@GStat7]

Yeah well how do you operate and or apply this basic lifting machine 400 ft in the air?

[@skilz8098]

Very nice and enjoyable video.

[@DrJohnDev]

Thanks so much and glad you enjoyed it! Hope to see you next time :)

[@ronaldolio76]

Great video. Most people have no idea how much of an effect levers and pulleys have on the force required to lift something. Our ancestors should be praised for there ingenuity and effort not discredited of there achievements. Take care

[@DrJohnDev]

Thank you for your comment and support! This was exactly what I was trying to show with this video! The mechanical advantage of a lever system is the key to constructing larger than life structures. Happy to hear you enjoyed and hope to see you around again!

[@bladerunnerbar]

Video is a joke.study geometry and physics

[@_CAT-lg4sr]

I think everyone has way over thought this. If you take a bi-pod and have it at an angle of 5 to 10 degrees off center above a load, when you continue to stand it upright, the mechanical advantage you have of the lifting force can be enormous. Not only are you lifting the load, but you are also able to advance it in a direction of travel. With a bi-pod, the weight is transferred to the two legs as a compression force allowing relatively small dimensional timbers to be used. As an experiment to lift a 10 ton block, I think a couple of today's utility poles would be more than sufficient. A tension line connecting the bottom of the two legs would be used to keep them from spreading apart under the load. You could use two smaller, shorter poles fore and aft to manage the bi-pod from tipping over once it has been erected, limiting it's angle of lean from center. Once a lift/travel has been done, the load is disconnected from the lift line, the bottom of the bi-pod is skidded forward, the load reconnected and the process repeats. I tried out my theory with a couple of 8 foot long 2x4's and a V8 engine on the ground in my backyard. I was easily able to lift it by myself and traveled about 3 feet with each reset. Could you imagine what two 50 or 60 foot poles and a couple dozen guys could do?

[@jaysunbrady]

Whats you thoughts on the spiral ramp theory or multiple pulley system that acts like gearing ( I think Destin from Smarter Every Day has a vid on it)?

[@DrJohnDev]

Love his videos, and I need to check that video out! While efficient gear systems were invented by the ancient Greeks of Alexandria, it's possible some type of rotary advantage system was employed for further block manipulation. Thanks for pointing me in this direction 😀

[@jaysunbrady]

@@DrJohnDevWell it wasn't rotary gearing, it was by using multiple block and pulleys together they basically act like gearing (Destin explains it so much better). Pulling on one end be lets say 10 feet the rope goes through the next pulley by lets say 8 feet, next pulley 6, then 4 and so on. And the force is reduced by each pulley (sorry I know I'm butchering this). Destins video kzbin.info/www/bejne/g2PaZIGQr7Wqha8 Another video with math like yours kzbin.info/www/bejne/gJ-8h61nibigeLM

[@jaysunbrady]

@@DrJohnDev Heres the internal ramp theory which supposedly has evidence to back it up kzbin.info/www/bejne/opLWdIurn7ODnNU Longer video with 3D animation and more kzbin.info/www/bejne/aX-mfGxvoraIrtksi=qwUIrEmE6pgPZeFu

[@jaysunbrady]

@@DrJohnDev This guys videos on the pyramids are fantastic kzbin.info/www/bejne/aZu1fY2kpa1-jpI

[@DrJohnDev]

That’s a great video! And the Efficient Engineer one was also quite impressive. It looks like wheels would have been around at the time of the Egyptians, so the mechanical advantage of pulley systems could have also been employed, likely contingent on the clearance of the specific area.

[@adriangstern]

This makes so much sense. Using a technology the Egyptians had to boot. The theory may need some refinement in practice but I cannot but agree that it would work. Thank you

[@DrJohnDev]

Really appreciate your feedback and thanks for giving it some thought. I thought it was interesting how it seems plausible but still quite the logistical undertaking. Thanks for watching and have a great weekend!

[@johannjohann6523]

The problem with the "Herodotus machine" is it is stuck on the ground. I guess you could work inward to outward and have space for the machine?

[@DrJohnDev]

Right. I think inward to outward. And then set it up on level 1 and repeat.

[@alexroks7243]

Great video!

[@DrJohnDev]

Thanks @alexroks7243 appreciate the support! It was fun putting this one together 😊

[@everychordever4339]

It would be more convincing if you just went out back and lifted something. I have questions, like, wouldn't a multi-tonne block crush a wooden spindle? They would be answered with a demo.

[@DrJohnDev]

A demo certainly helps visualize things better than an animation. I didn't have any 10 ton blocks laying around the house, but, there is an interesting demonstration from a man in Michigan, who recreated Stone Henge in his back yard using only wood. Here's a link, pretty interesting stuff: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rnWYfZZpYpqcetUfeature=shared&t=701

[@everychordever4339]

@@DrJohnDev the amazing thing about the Michigan guy, if I am thinking about the same one, is he did it by himself or with some grandkids. This is not the situation with the pyramids - there were plenty of workers. I see no issues in building the pyramids with rope, beams, levers, sand, sturdy blocks, small ramps, and as many adult, dedicated, obedient workers as needed. Or you can wait centuries for technology to advance, or go getter dun.

[@everychordever4339]

Sand-jacking. You know about sand-jacking?

[@DrJohnDev]

@@everychordever4339 No, or at least not in that context. Please, let me know!

[@DrJohnDev]

@@everychordever4339 The Egyptians indeed had a plethora of workforce at their disposal. Well, I’m of the opinion the Egyptians were responsible for this advancement, which later was advanced more by the Greeks and Romans. To each their own. I appreciate your can do, practical attitude. From what I see, most people are under disbelief that even a substantial workforce would be unable to pull it off.

[@stevenpederson1645]

That was a fascinating explanation of how the machine works, but it could not be built in 27 years as you described. You left out a lot from your equations, The forest required to build the machines from wood, the miles of rope needed, the cutting and transporting of all the blocks, and the thousands of people to do all of the work had to eat, sleep somewhere for 27 years. That's a lot of motel6 rooms and quarter pounders!

[@paulteller8383]

Yet there it stands

[@DrJohnDev]

Well, I think the equations are fine as they are, but certainly more details to address in terms of logistics, forest sources, construction materials, etc. And while they certainly would have needed to house the workers, I think it's fair to say that the structures the workers lived in would be long gone by now. They certainly weren't being housed in pyramids. The sheer mass of the pyramids is one of the key reasons it still exists. The other 6 wonders of the ancient world were all destroyed and pillaged, which is why they no longer exist today. The pyramid sites were certainly pillaged, but no one had the might to destroy the pyramids.

[@michaelcrawford3796]

How about applying what you've expressed here and see the results?

[@AlWaller-zp9rg]

(1 of 2) Nice Physics analysis of 1 interpretation of the Herodotus machine and respectful comments back to those viewers with insightful comments. One suggestion for your analysis is to point out that pivot height “a” must also have an upper bound else your simplified locations of each center of mass (and corresponding mass for each end) changes since the angle increases as the block moves up; so in order to keep your calculations valid, each end of the block has to have support that stacks (like cribbing) to keep it nearly horizontal. Lots more manual labor required. Also worth pointing out to viewers that your example provides a 8.93:1 mechanical advantage (not the apparent 17.86:1) since the 560 kg is applied at each end of beam. Appreciate that you recently commented that you intend to evaluate some other lifting options from physics standpoint so I’ll do a separate comment as 2 of 2 to evaluate more traditional external fulcrum method.

[@DrJohnDev]

Really appreciate your thoughtful and insightful feedback here. You're absolutely right on the upper bound on the height! I had considered that, but thought it might be best to save that detail. I think a scaled demo of this device might be a good approach for demonstrating the effects of various sized pivots and configurations. Thanks for watching and providing some excellent insight for the viewers!

[@northstar100]

The higher you get the block and it’s pivot point will change due to the block sliding down as the beam gets pushed down. Making it harder to pivot again

[@burtpanzer]

The reason I find the wooden parts to be inadequate is the force applied at the outer edge of the beam when at an angle, which would want to rotate, causing the vertical load to spread the uprights laterally and only steel has the kind of strength to counter the forces applied at the corner where the uprights are fastened.

[@DrJohnDev]

Please make arguments from a quantitative standpoint. Basing a physical argument on words alone is a pretty useless exercise.

[@TheScreamingFrog916]

@@DrJohnDev "pretty useless" seems a bit harsh response (even if accurate), to someone who seems to have a reasonable question, even if not asked in the way you prefer. You have done a great thing here, sharing this idea, and starting a lively discussion in the comments section. I can understand why you might be sensitive to people questioning your conclusion. Especially after all the work you put into it. But try to view the questions/challenges, from the point of view, of people who don't have your background/education. Remember that the comments section, is the lifeblood of KZbin. Ignore them, if you don't have time/energy for them, but please try not to be snarky, as it diminishes an otherwise wonderful presentation. Best wishes for your success ☮

[@another3997]

​@@DrJohnDevI'm sorry, but your "explanation" is nothing but a description of some maths, and doesn't consider any PRACTICAL limitations of such devices. Without any consideration of the practicalities of implementing such a scheme, and a demonstration on the scale needed and with the resources available at the time, it's nothing more than an unsubstantiated idea. But you clearly like to feel smug about how you can work out the maths, which somehow magics away all the practical problems. And of course, the Egyptians had no concept of the maths, it was all just trial and error. Besides, the ancient Greeks didn't see the great Pyramids being built, they were constructed at least a thousand years earlier... and a lot changes in that time.

[@DrJohnDev]

@@another3997 I think you missed the point of using the math to backwards engineer the machine they used. Of course the Egyptians determined the functionality based on trial and error, the same manner in which current progress is made in facets of engineering and science. We can use mathematics to determine exactly how they used these machines, without needing to ask them. If you're not convinced with math, check this video out. Anything look familiar?? kzbin.info/www/bejne/e2bTi2qrh5upbsUfeature=shared&t=166

[@DrJohnDev]

@@TheScreamingFrog916 Thank you for the nice complements and support. I understand some of the comments can come across as brash. But sometimes, fire needs to be fought with fire. This user left a string of comments, which all lacked depth and deep reflection. The idea of simply using words to form physical arguments is extremely naive and juvenile. I understand the case for disagreements, but if the disagreement is fraught with misinformation (and conveys the sense of not caring to understand), I will shut it down. Thanks again for your kind words and hope to see you around here again!

[@OrahSUNSHINE]

Hmmm. Has this Theory been tested? That is'-- has a miniature to scale been created? From individuals who have visited the pyramid first hand they have observed that the blocks are precisely laid one on top of the other with little to no gaps. Does the process you mentioned account for such precision?

[@DrJohnDev]

Great question and points! So there is a scaled demo on KZbin created a few years ago of two guys lifting heavy bricks using a similar machine: kzbin.info/www/bejne/apmvgqJ6aKiql8ksi=KqiMte6G-NOjHfp8 As far as the precision, this is a good point that needs exploring further. The laser like precision of the blocks does seem like quite the feat. Should be explored and researched a bit more.

[@Sicnooo]

17:06 the blue dot which is to the right of the other blue dot isn't supposed to look like it's directly above the midpoint of the green triangles. It's supposed to look like it's a little to the left. And the greater the angle theta, the farther off to the left it should appear to be. Some people might not realize that the picture isn't at all to scale, and those people might get confused by that blue dot not looking like it's to the left of the midpoint of the green triangles. Great video, though.

[@DrJohnDev]

Thanks for the insightful comment, and I see your point. Yeah, the distances and geometry is a bit confined at this scale. When developing this video, one of my initial calculations had an error due to a misdrawn line label. Fortunately, I caught this mistake, but perhaps blowing things up a bit may help for future videos. Really appreciate the feedback and glad you enjoyed the video! Hope to see you around!

[@bob456fk6]

That is very clever! I've studied physics and mechanics and I've never seen this Herodotus Machine. Those guys were really smart! In the drone pictures of the pyramid, I'm really impressed how closely aligned the stones are to form straight edges.

[@DrJohnDev]

Thanks so much for your support! I had never seen the Herodotus Machine discussed in physics classes either, which is a main part of why I wanted to tackle this problem. And while most historians tend to gather evidence from the archeological records, I thought it would be neat to run the calculations and math to determine how this machine actually worked. The design and features of the pyramid are certainly impressive, and there's many avenues left for exploration :) Let me know if you think of any ideas or topics you'd like to explore. Thanks again for watching and hope to see you around again!

[@TheWilliamHoganExperience]

I'm a retired architect. There's an excellent channel called "History for Granite" that goes very deep into pyramid construction - using extensive field verified evidence. The first thing to understand is that only the outermost layers of stone were carefully cut and dressed. The inner layers were rough-cut or even rubble, with the exception of shafts and burial chambers. The history of ancient Egyptian architecture and art is backwards. It goes from more sophisticated to less over time, with the old kingdom the most advanced. This suggests some previous lost civilization developed the construction methods. Similar structures appear in the Americas thousands of years later. Recent GPR scans of the Sahara desert have confirmed vast networks of rivers existed for tens of thousands of years, with mysterious ruins swallowed by the saharan sands. The Younger Dryas impact hypothesis posits that an asteroid impact / series of impacts may have struck the earth 12,000 years ago, ending the ice age and radically altering / warming the earth's climate. Greenland ice-cores back this up, as do other indirect evidence. So there may be astonishing things burried that pre-date and explain much of egyptian history.

[@DrJohnDev]

It would be interesting to uncover archeological evidence of this kind of previous lost civilization. Civilizational decline could also be a factor here. Perhaps time will tell :)

[@BalezinD]

Well, yes and no. What about the solidity of the rod on which the load/block is rotated/pivoted? Will it endure 10 000 kg load, I doubt. If it's only that thin and made of wood.

[@DrJohnDev]

Good point! So it certainly would need to be thick enough to endure the sheer force of the block. A one foot diameter log can sustain up to 20 tons (lower conservative limit) of sheer strength. If you're interested, check out this paper: charles-oneill.com/aem341/Lesson07a-WoodMaterials.pdf Here's an interesting excerpt from there as well: "Shear strength parallel to the grain ranges from 3 to 15 MPa at 12% moisture content. Because wood is highly orthotropic, it is very difficult to get it to fail in shear perpendicular to the grain"

[@PlatinumDragonProductions999]

Has anyone calculated the number of watt hours required to lift the blocks to their final positions and given the technology of the day, how likely it would have been that they could sustain that output?

[@DrJohnDev]

That would just be the force times the height of the block and converted from joules to watt-hours. But this isn’t an electrical energy, so this wouldn’t really be appropriate units. But should keep in mind that humans can be traded in and out at various times throughout the project.

[@preparedsurvivalist2245]

Any monumental task can be completed if you small chunk it.

[@DrJohnDev]

Indeed! This is a point I was trying to drive home.

[@timothyworkman1275]

And how did they cut the blocks

[@DrJohnDev]

This is a great question. I certainly didn't cover it in this video, but perhaps a follow up is in order to address this. There are some theories and I'd love to investigate these.

[@timothyworkman1275]

@@DrJohnDev the huge stones in the kings chamber are red granite and would have been almost impossible with the tools we associate with that time period Really more attention needs paid to this. There’s more than meets the eye here. At least in my humble opinion Thanks for the response

[@EduardoOcampo-o1y]

Mathematician Dude.... As a mason.... I can tell you that the piramid of keops has to be built from the inside out, starting from the center of the piramid to one of the corners,then to the next corner either to the left or right of such first built corner,then to the third, leaving the 4th corner for last,but in stages the, first corner being elevated half course of the second one, this one being half course than the third one,So each previous course can be used to pivot the next higher course.this will leave you with the with the last 25% of the piramid to be built, but with built in step system from the center, coming from the other three corners,at this time of construction the piramid would looked a little bit like a solid tripod with the bottom courses extending to the last corner.this would of course be the most difficult part to build and would probably require 50% of all energy used in the construction process, but building it in this way it would have save you lots of energy and time that now can be directed to the most difficult part of the construction. This doesn't mean that advances of the last corner can be made while the others are in progress,but its important to keep in mind that a central corridor must be kept open as long as possible to avoid as much as possible vertical lift,to think that you have to build it from the outside and the 4 sides simultaneously can come from somebody that hasn't ever been involved in the construction using rock blocks.You have to be pragmatic and practical.Any good Mason can keep all the different construction axis level.The Egyptians say that it took them 20 years to build, but if we know anything about human nature.... it probably took them 40 years to build. Take care. P.S. I know....yes somebody already solved the problem.Remember it was me.Ja,ja have a good day

[@terrystewart8923]

explain cutting and moving

[@DrJohnDev]

Need to look into this, definitely a good topic for another video.

[@delvinbonilla7618]

Theirs a man who built these megalithic structures all by himself by hand on his property and showed real time how he did it.

[@DrJohnDev]

Great video!

[@IssacTrotts]

I'll believe it when I see a modern crew build a new pyramid this way.

[@a-world-view]

Nice. Please proof this with the 100t blocks used in de Roof opf the s.c. "Kings Chamber".

[@DrJohnDev]

Great question! Yes, the King's Chamber blocks were in fact heavier, although the physics would remain the same. I would need the dimensions of these blocks to work out the detail, but interesting thing to check out!

[@a-world-view]

@@DrJohnDev, I am very much afraid that you would need to calculate the strength of the wood as well, to provide a feasability as to the application of the method to move stones of that magnitude. One calculation for a big stoone I found: The first ceiling layer of beams measure ca 8.9 m [L] x 2.3 m [H] x 1.3 m [W] = 26.6 cub m x density of granite 2.75 = 73 tonnes

[@DrJohnDev]

Very nice! This is exactly what I did to confirm the weight of the stones at the base as well. And you're absolutely right, I believe the strength of the wood needs to be calculated exactly and its compressive strength well understood. For a potential follow up, I plan on surveying the wood used in the area of Giza, and using it's Young's Modulus, figure out how much force it could withstand. I'm curious as to how thick the wood would need to be in order to still be usable. I would need to run the numbers to figure it out. Appreciate you figuring out the weight using the rock dimensions!

[@holeshothunter5544]

at 2:30 i began laughing. They'd need 10 tons of power to lift a 10 ton block. Lifting? Duh Try a ramp.

[@westwonic]

Whete did all the wood come from?

[@DrJohnDev]

Planet Earth. You know, cause people can travel and move around?

[@terberusp7030]

This surely explains how this machine works but i dont see why would it be only technique used. The estimated number of blocks is very misleading in my opinion ( i know that it wasn't you who came up the number), the size and weight of the blocks decreases with every "floor" of the pyramid, not to mention the fact that theres thousands of tons of rubble and mortar. In conclusion, i do believe this device might have been used but i think mostly in early stages, when blocks were the heaviest and/or for lifting heavier granite blocks assuming that they were "inside" the pyramid from the start and were lifted one floor at the time along with the oyramid being built

[@DrJohnDev]

I agree there were still many techniques the Egyptians would have needed to employ. For the 'lighter' 1 ton blocks, perhaps it would be easier (and faster) to enlist a team of workers to lift up the blocks. But for the most massive of blocks, they certainly would have needed some mechanical advantage. I chose this Herodotus machine to focus on, as it's one of the few clues left in the history books, and something we can actually backwards engineer using physics.

[@lehrerteubert]

I wonder how the stone blocks could be straightened on the underside so that they lie reasonably on the lower stone without wobbling. Because if individual stones wobble, the pyramid collapses. And it must be extremely time-consuming to lift the stones again and again to adjust them to the lower stone. It would be interesting to investigate whether the stones rest on the entire surface. If they did not rest on the entire surface, they would break under the enormous pressure of the stones above.

[@79Cody440]

Ok but what about Khafre's pyramid? Some of the blocks on Khafre's weigh over 100 tons. And im not talking about the granite or casing blocks. Some of the outer core blocks are over 100 tons.

[@RomoRooster]

Excellent video and fascinating to watch... But it seems to me that a civilization using the mathematics and physics required to create levers and such would also have the capacity to utilize the wheel, which wasn't invented yet... I think they found the pyramids, left over from a previous civilization that was wiped out during the younger dryas Era. There's thousands of years of occupation and history to sort through but there's similar structures scattered across the world with absolutely no record of how they were built.

[@DrJohnDev]

It is surprising about the wheel, and very interesting point! Although, even though they were utilizing levers, it's unlikely they actually understood the physics and mathematics completely. The mechanical advantage of the lever was likely discovered through experimentation. We just have to use physics today in order to backwards engineer their designs. A modern example of technology that we use, but don't fully understand, is superconductivity.

[@michaelpendleton7429]

Wouldn't the weight of the block, crush the wooden slats ?

[@nara4420]

But why use such heavy blocks ? Why not use smaller ones and/or other shape, i.e. longer slim or whatever ? There must have been a very good reason to do that gigantic effort.

[@DrJohnDev]

This is a good question. It certainly would have been easier, although, not as impressive. Other pyramids around the world used smaller blocks, but because of this, we primarily marvel after the pyramid of Giza - a true engineering legend.

[@GStat7]

10 million stones the size of a car in the giza complex, moved from a quarry over 500 miles away, cut and stalked perfectly on sand using manpower, ropes, trees that dont exist in the area, and 2' copper saws. Its not about giving credit, its about the laws of physics

[@brettk9316]

Water

[@DrJohnDev]

Helped as well

[@28704joe]

Well made video, math rocks.

[@DrJohnDev]

Thanks @28704joe ! Really appreciate that and hope to see you again on here 😊

[@nicholasf.377]

Not all the blocks are the same size. Even under the first layer they start to differ. The most outer of blocks are the smallest ones they used. Some of those folks have been removed right underneath them there are blocks way bigger.

[@DrJohnDev]

This is a good point. Yes, the blocks certainly differed in weight and size. I wanted to illustrate the use of the machine for the particular blocks around the base of the pyramid. There were heavier blocks, and there were lighter blocks. And while the force requirements would need to be adjusted, the equations and math remain the same. Thanks for bringing this up and hope you enjoyed!

[@TomLeg]

The pyramids are younger than Stonehenge, and far younger than the roughly 200 "rondels" throughout Europe. The development of technology is consistent with human advancement; the earlier lack of technology would be an insult to aliens that can travel through interstellar space. This video describess how a block might be shifted from leavel N-1 to level N, but does not describe how it is shifted horizontally, once it reaches the right height. Nor does it describe how the block is lifted from level 0 to level N-1 ... but some other sources describe believab;le mechanisms for floating the bloacks to that height. Of course, you cannot float a block higher than the existing levels. But it does introduce another complication of how the block is moved from the floatation mechanism to level N solid "ground". But you can't do everything in one video :-)

[@DrJohnDev]

Very excellent points and couldn’t agree more with the fact that aliens capable of interstellar travel should be completely apathetic with helping the Egyptians build their pyramids. As I was researching this topic, I was quite surprised of all the conspiracy theories out there on this, and taken aback at even physicists chiming in on the possibility of the idea. You made some excellent points and these considerations crossed my mind as well as I was putting together this video. For horizontal displacement, I believe there are mechanisms in construction such as using water and even possibly sand to reduce friction. I suppose the name of the game is reducing friction as much as possible. For the horizontal displacement from the machine to level N, this also crossed my mind. Once above the surface of level N, the slats can protrude out onto the surface of level N, and perhaps the final slats can be designed with features to reduce friction for a horizontal push off. I have some other thoughts on getting the block from ground to level N-1, but without direct evidence, it’s a bit of conjecture. Wedging and using smaller stones as pivots come to mind, but again, a bit of conjecture. I primarily wanted to focus on the lift from N-1 to N, as, in my opinion, was one of the more technically challenging hurdles to overcome. Excellent points and perhaps good points to address head on for a follow up video? There’s certainly more to cover and delve into. Would like to hear if you have any thoughts or ideas on these technicalities as well. Thanks again for the well thought out analysis!

[@Expedient_Mensch]

There appears to be evidence of large horizontal winches being deployed by the pyramid builders.@@DrJohnDev

[@another3997]

Actually, the later stages of Stonehenge are probably younger than the Great Pyramids. It may be that the earliest parts of Stonehenge were contemporary or pre-date the pyramids, but they were almost certainly either much smaller stones, or perhaps even wooden posts. And with all due respect to the builders of Stonehenge, which is a stunning achievement, along with what I consider the even more impressive structures at nearby Avebury... but there is absolutely no comparison to any of the major Egyptian Pyramids. They were on a scale beyond anything else built by mankind up to that point.

[@alantasman8273]

There is new evidence that the limestone blocks that comprise the pyramids were actually poured as a concrete. Look it up. The implications are that only the composites weighing much less than the blocks had to be brought in, mixed with water on site and allowed to cure. This would have required a much smaller workforce in completing the pyramids and explains the extremely close tolerances found in their construction.

[@deathshead357]

And if this whole process is workable, could they lay 1 block every 6 minutes for 27 years straight like you said they would have to?

[@DrJohnDev]

That math only makes sense if one block were laid at a time. With multiple machines working in tandem, this overcomes this problem.

[@DTHRILLS.DANIEL.THRILLRIDETV]

Was ways curious thanks cuuuuh

[@DrJohnDev]

Thanks for watching! Hope to see you around and have a good one!

[@MRSEXY4EVER]

Was surprised this showed on my feed since my background is Ufology! You go down that rabbit hole and learn that the pyramids are way older (Hancock, Robert Schoch, Randall Carlson) and they most likely used a mix of machinery (drill marks, precision cutting impossible with bronze tools) and possibly levitation technology. The cost in labor, time, and natural resources would be too great without high technology. Another rabbit hole you go down when you study Ufology is that Plato was most likely describing a real civilization when he writes about Atlantis. Totally convinced that these ancient sites (Balbek, Machu Pichu, NA Mound Builders, pyramids in China, Romania) were the remnants of highly advanced civilization.

[@DrJohnDev]

What is the source of this rabbit hole? Where are all of you getting this ancient pyramids being more ancient. What’s the point or reasoning here?

[@pierre-zz9vs]

The most surprising thing is that the ancient Egyptians didn't even dream of all these mathematical theories and yet they built the pyramids. Empiricism is everything or almost everything. (in the time spent viewing the video the Egyptians would have placed 3.5 stone blocks).

[@gemmafisher1584]

Kinda convincing but what about actually positioning these blocks 🤔 it don't seem possible still

[@DrJohnDev]

Great question! Positioning the blocks would indeed be another challenge not covered in this video. Pulling an object is more of a challenge of reducing friction. One method I've read is pouring water in front of the blocks while pushing/pulling with teams of people/animals. This might be a topic to cover in another video. Thanks for watching!

[@russchadwell]

Ok. That gets us off the ground to above level one of the blocks. What about the other levels of blocks?

[@DrJohnDev]

After the first level is constructed, the machines would be lifted and placed on the first level. Then they can be used to lift blocks to the next level. Rinse and repeat until you get to the top.

[@russchadwell]

@@DrJohnDev That might work until the next level is full. If the next level is full, though, would there be room for the machine and the blocks that are to go atop that? Working at the edge of completed multiple levels doesn't provide room for blocks and the machine. Imagine being 50 meters high too.

[@DrJohnDev]

Right, that's a great point. So I believe the internal ramp theory may come into play here. If you haven't heard of that, here's a link to a Wiki article: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Egyptian_pyramid_construction_techniques#:~:text=Internal%20ramp%20hypothesis,-Main%20article%3A%20Jean&text=His%20scheme%20involves%20using%20a,lack%20of%20evidence%20for%20ramps. Basically, the internal structure of the pyramid had clearance for ramps and blocks. Quoting from the article: "Each ramp inside the pyramid ended at an open space, a notch temporarily left open in the edge of the construction. This 10-square-meter clear space housed a crane that lifted and rotated each 2.5-ton block, to ready it for eight men to drag up the next internal ramp." This so-termed crane would have likely been a Herodotus machine, at the open space between each of the ramps.

[@russchadwell]

@@DrJohnDev you created such a cool video showing how simple it is to lift a massive block up. Can you make a part two involving the material being supplied up to level 20 or something? Or, would you rather we just work on visualizing it ourselves? We can. I mean you point to the information necessary to imagine it all ourselves. But.. Some of us have worked hard lives in the field of Masonry. The first thing I think of for tall projects is what sort of nasty "scaffolding" or forklifts are going to be needed to get that stuff way, way up there.

[@DrJohnDev]

Thank you for your comment, and I think you're certainly right, visualizing is much better than writing at this point. I think I will need to revisit this topic and create a part II. The comments have brought up some valid points and definitely some good angles to investigate deeper on this topic. I'm in the middle of finishing up an upcoming video (hopefully launching in a week 🤞), and then I'll start on a pyramids part II. You bring up some interesting points to explore on the 2nd part. Thanks again for your great feedback!

[@TheJacov]

I've known for many years that it was done with levers and counterweights, though I didn't know the exact method or the math behind it. Also the Herotodus machine is also known as the shoring jack, which has been in use in construction for many centuries (obviously since the Egyptians). 😁The damn editor won't allow me to fix my misspelling of Herodotus for some reason.😒

[@TheJacov]

Dammit I can't fix my misspelling of Herodotus in my previous post😒😒😒

[@DrJohnDev]

Thanks for your feedback! Really appreciate it. I hadn't seen anyone do the calculations on the Herodotus machine before, so I wanted to figure it out. I particularly thought it was interesting that the pivot distance is the ultimate key to it's operation. And no worries, Herodotus is certainly a easy one to typo. Cheers and happy holidays!

[@TheJacov]

@@DrJohnDev: Happy holidays to you as well! As for the spelling, I am aware that in the grand scheme of things, it's trivial, but I really prefer to be as correct as possible as often as I can.😁😇😁

[@TheJacov]

@@DrJohnDev : As far as the pivot distance being the key, this is true for any use of levers, since it affects both the applied force and the distance moved.😁

[@DrJohnDev]

Thanks for that! Appreciate it :) And yes, fully understand. It's a great goal to strive for 😅

[@JuliusBrainz]

There is a video of a guy building a Stonehenge in his backyard. Although he never explicitly mentioned the name of Herodotus, exactly this device is what allowed him to raise the blocks just by himself.

[@DrJohnDev]

Awesome, I'm glad you brought this up! While I was doing the research of this video, I stumbled upon that guy. Here's a clip I stumbled on and it was, low and behold, exactly the Herodotus machine in live-action: kzbin.info/www/bejne/e2bTi2qrh5upbsUfeature=shared&t=166

[@JuliusBrainz]

@@DrJohnDev What a timing! I accidentally found a KZbin channel by his grandchild (@wallingtonw). I knew that there was a videotape about his work, and it seems it finally found its place on KZbin. And Herodotus' name was indeed mentioned.

[@DrJohnDev]

That's really cool! I'd love to have a talk with him. I was happy to see how similar it looked to my animation.

[@rajate]

Stonehenge is a child play, a fart, compared to the complexity of the logistics, math, astronomy, geometry, etc. involved to build the pyramids.

[@jdw6925]

The whole thing became unstable at about head height, I believe.

[@NoOne-ii1th]

He’s assuming that it’s built only with blocks. There’s a lot of evidence that most of the inside is filled with small odd sized blocks cemented together.

[@darbycrash55]

Explain the obelisks and saw marks

[@DrJohnDev]

I hadn't heard about the saw marks, but certainly more to cover in a follow up!

[@kevinholland3831]

The builders need to drill and shape and then moved 60 ton blocks 500 miles from the quarry to the pyramid. I think a railroad from the quarry to the construction might a perfect match.

[@markb6442]

Yes, and amazingly they are said to have built this in 20 years; averaging the exact placement of 1 stone every 2.5 minutes. Completely feasible!

[@Roger-nk5ug]

🤣🤣🤣 So true. I love the sarcasm. This method just doesn't cut it.

[@DavidScott-oq9yp]

Based on known construction of mastabas (pyramid predecessors), up to 70% of the internal structure is likely comprised of smaller, irregular backfill or "rubble." The assumption that the entire structure contains larger, precisely cut and placed stones makes it unfeasible and an unnecessary waste of material, skill, and labor.

[@johnhanek167]

The blocks may have been molten and poured in place into frames. On YT, this video: The Movie Great Pyramid K 2019 - Director Fehmi Krasniqi

[@DrJohnDev]

Perhaps, but they’d still need to be lifted and moved into place. I’ll give it a watch, thanks for the suggestion.

[@johnhanek167]

@@DrJohnDev That would explain the presence of human hairs found embedded IN the stone.

[@hammer86_]

This is a very good primer on levers, and how to lift a 10 ton block 1 meter, but does not explain how they built the pyramids. How are you gonna get those blocks to the top of the pyramid and set in 6 minutes? And how did they build the King's Chamber, which has 80 ton blocks? Not to mention the precision cutting which looks machined. It's still one of the greatest mysteries and is absolutely fascinating.

[@8arrows]

Not every inch of the pyramids are stacked large stones. They built inner walls and backfilled them with rubble, and sand. That sped up the process. And cut costs. There is lots of videos explaining that, and showing the rubble. And when drilled into walls they hit pockets of sand. That went anywhere from 5 inches up to 30 inches deep.

[@ShonMardani]

Pyramids are piled up blocks of stones which were excavated to build the Suez Canal by brits.

[@JasonSmith-kh7cf]

Could heat be particularly help. Extreme heat, controlled within gravel chain reaction of heat. Clay forms and casting stone. Exothermic reaction and thermal dynamics laws. Pottery clay was made with iron oxide color. Aluminum was around from smelting.

[@Seventeen_Syllables]

They moved 10 ton stone blocks with sticks. That's pretty impressive.

[@DrJohnDev]

I don't remember saying sticks. But if you're having doubts, I'd suggest starting with the Young's modulus of wood. As scaffolding, wood is only used to hold up 10,000 ton freeways during construction.

[@TheScreamingFrog916]

@@DrJohnDev I don't know, but my take on the comment, is that he is genuinely impressed, not mocking. Will admit that, the first thing I wondered was, how strong the wood would have to be, to not get deformed, crushed, or pushed out of the way. Especially as the height increased. I would really appreciate a follow up video, addressing the physical requirements, of the materials, dimensions, of the lifting device itself, and not just the forces applied at the end points. Kind of a structural engineering analysis of the materials, the device is made out of. How many times could you use the pivot wood pieces, before they wear out. What kind of wood, did they have access to, to build these things. It is a fascinating subject, thanks very much for this presentation, and best wishes for your continued success.

[@another3997]

​@@DrJohnDev The Young's modulus of a certain type of wood is only a small part of the equation. All you have to do now is prove that the ancient Egyptians had access to the right types of wood, had it in the required quantities, and that they understood how to construct suitable scaffolding to support the required number of machines and a number of stone blocks each weighing several tons. And then explain what other material they used to as pivot points to support those blocks. Im sure you've done the research to support your theory... haven't you?

[@DrJohnDev]

The key to learning is to be receptive to learn. The points you bring up are certainly explainable, but only to those willing to understand.

[@TheScreamingFrog916]

@@another3997 seems like the pivot points might leave marks, that we could observe, with modern instruments/techniques.

[@miner79r]

In my Opinion... So, what could be used as movable pivot points that wouldn't be crushed by the block as it rotated? Wood would become toothpicks...

[@windypup8845]

I used a similar but simple method To raise my full size anvil onto a large block of wood. I rocked it back and forth adding a piece of wood each time until my anvil was level with the block then I dragged it across, scary but it worked!!

[@DrJohnDev]

Wow! That's really awesome! Did you take any photos or video? Really sounds neat and glad it worked out! I may try a demo at some point as well :)