SACSAYHUAMAN (stonemasons commentary) Mike Haduck - road to Machu Picchu

I comment on Saqsaywaman, a architectural site near Cusco Peru.

[@RostislavLapshin]

For those who are interested in the topic of polygonal masonry. A number of methods for obtaining the polygonal masonry are proposed. The basis of the proposed methods is the use of clay/gypsum replicas, a topography translator, and reduced clay models of the stone blocks along with a 3D-pantograph. The results are presented in the article: “Fabrication methods of the polygonal masonry of large tightly-fitted stone blocks with curved surface interfaces in megalithic structures of Peru”. KZbin does not allow a direct link. Search by the article title.

[@MikeHaduck]

Hi Rostislav, I got a video out call, " carving stones with ancient technology " Mike haduck, not a big deal just time and money, thanks Mike

[@RostislavLapshin]

Hello, Mike. I saw your video. In Peru we have examples of large-scale polygonal structures. Your examples in the video relate to small items only. Yes, it is possible using a chisel of a hard stone to treat comparatively precisely small-sized surfaces on hard stones like a granite. However, the techniques you have demonstrated can not be used for large-scale constructional purposes because of very low productivity. To finish the large-scale polygonal construction within a reasonable time using a reasonable number of workforce, we should use a set of steel chisels of different shapes and sizes as in your workshop. The rectangular inner corner you have demonstrated in the video is a small-sized corner in a small stone. Moreover, this corner despite its shape is an arbitrary processed surface in the main. In the Peruvian polygonal masonry we have to deal not only with the arbitrary processed surface but also with a rather precise coping of non-plane (curved) side of one stone on side of another stone. When the stones are small as in your video, really, it is not a big deal to interface them precisely by applying one stone to other stone periodically and removing excess material where it is necessary. But, how can you periodically apply precisely the large stones weighing from several hundred kg to several tons to each other? That is the problem.

[@MikeHaduck]

Check out, "amish shed move", and all my other videos on the pyramids, the Roman's moved the obelisk to Rome and erected it, don't be listening to all those bedroom archeologist, it's nothing but time, money and determination, thanks Mike

[@ivareskesner2019]

You won't get an answer. This person only seems to have been interested in showing that copper tools can be used on granite and large blocks can be moved with the right know how. He's completely ignored all the other information which clearly shows it was much more than just stone and copper tools.

[@MikeHaduck]

I am still waiting to get a video " you" produced showing why it can't be done, thanks Mike

[@michaellastname4922]

If this stonework is so simple, then please show us how it was done. A video demonstration, to be exact. Show everyone how to create oddly-shaped stones that fit to each other so precisely and weigh so much ... it's easy to be dismissive, yet words alone won't solve the puzzle.

[@MikeHaduck]

Check out my video, " carving stones with ancient technology, Mike haduck, for a start, thanks Mike

[@paulm283]

Agree 100% yes I would love to see that as well

[@Eyes_Open]

How does it defy science? It only appears to defy those who have no knowledge of stone working.

[@Eyes_Open]

@@TheStoneCodeArt you are clearly infected by the agenda of those who profit from pushing the fantasy of lost technology. Whether a person has been there or not is irrelevant. You beleive I have not been there so you dismiss my view. Mike was certainly there and pointed out features and yet you dismiss his view. That is a loss of credibility for you. Then you demand a full scale replication in the misguided notion that this represents an argument. It is nothing but whining words pushed by folks like Ben from UnsupportedX. If you want a full replication, then provide full funding for the project. Spend time researching stone mason techniques and realize what is possible. Today we use steel. Earlier people had stone and copper alloy tools.

[@ivareskesner2019]

The main uncertainty here is not how these stones were moved but how they were softened and molded as if made of plasticine. It has been shown fairly definitely that the surface is actually a layer of stucko. There are some good videos on this showing geological proof that the surface of blocks was molded while soft. Other blocks actually have protrubances which look like they are about to snap off, as if simply attached to the stone. Other blocks have actually lost layers of this stucko where you can clearly see the layering. The grain is also different in places where it should be the same and the same in places it should be different. So far the evidence points fairly strongly to the original architects possessing some time of stone softening technology and/or a way to create stone-like concrete substance. I think a great opportunity was missed to explore that in this video. Even just have a look and do it the due diligence.

[@mobleyMobley]

Im real lazy and have no idea how they did it

[@ivareskesner2019]

The main uncertainty here is not how these stones were moved but how they were softened and molded as if made of plasticine. It has been shown fairly convincingly that the surface is probably a layer of stucko. There are some good videos on this showing geological proof that the surface of blocks was molded while soft. Some blocks have protrubances which look like they are about to snap off, as if simply attached to the stone. Other blocks have actually lost layers of this stucko where you can clearly see the layering. The grain is also different in places where it should be the same and the same in places it should be different. So far the evidence points fairly strongly to the original architects possessing some type of stone softening technology and/or a way to create a stone-like concrete/plaster substance. I think a great opportunity was missed to explore that in this video. Even just to have a look at some of the clear examples and do it the due diligence. Just my 2c.

[@MikeHaduck]

It's only stone, don't be listening to all those bedroom archeologist, I got a video out " carving stone with ancient technology, "any beginning Carver could do it, thanks Mike

[@ivareskesner2019]

@@MikeHaduck Thanks. I'll check it out. Have you seen a video on this subject by Richard Price called _'Saqsaywaman Mystery Solved'?_ It posits some archaeological evidence. It'd be interesting to hear your feedback on that video.

[@ivareskesner2019]

@@MikeHaduck I watched that video and, while it was definitely interesting, it doesn't really prove anything. It doesn't address any of the questions of how such laser precision cuts were made as well as other questions I posited. Like the grain changing etc. All it does is show that with a lot of time and effort you can slowly chip away at granite and limestone and that copper tools can be used for this...millions upon millions of chisels replaced every day. And make a very rough and slow job of it. Sorry, mate, but that is not how it was done. I challenge you to make something of the precision and quality which is found in sites like Saksayhuaman and post the process.

[@MikeHaduck]

Hi, I got a whole playlist on "rockfacing and shaping stones" all the old and new techniques and new,, plus my pyramid videos etc, been too all the museums etc, didn't see Amy of those perfect cuts they talk about, any granite kitchen top installer could do it, but if "You" produced a video showing why it can't be done, I would love to see it, thanks Mike

[@ivareskesner2019]

@@MikeHaduck I'll just paste the reply from the other thread becauseit'sthe same topic - _Well, how can anybody prove a negative? You can't prove something _*_can't_*_ be done. Only that it _*_can._*_ You are the one making the claim that it can be done this way. The burden of proof is on you to show that it can. I'm simply coming along and saying that your claim is still unproven because doing it the way you showed does not replicate those results. I'm not trying to be an arse-hole here. I'm simply saying that while your demonstration did show it's possible to do some very crude, rudimentary work on such stones, it doesn't show how to achieve the near perfection which was achieved at some of these sites._ _You also have to keep in mind that there are often older and newer constructions in Peru and elsewhere. There are the near laser cut perfection walls, niches and stones and then there are the later constructions which are much more crude. It appears that the Incas (and others) took these sites over from the previous inhabitants already and then did their best to fix and replicate it. Their efforts _*_can_*_ indeed be replicated the way you show. You can even see the stone carving marks in later work and see the chips in the rock get smaller as they get closer to the edges and start using smaller stones. But that's the later inhabitants' work. The early work is on a level far beyond the later work. They could never replicate it. And the question is how they did it. Seems to me you are dismissing this question by only addressing how the later inhabitants treated these sites after merely moving in there._

[@Ketannabis]

Thank you for all the information you share with us sir. Every video is always a quality experience.

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks Monad, mike

[@davidodell2160]

Hey Haduck I like that idea of the stone being soft. I always pondered the idea of poured precast.

[@MikeHaduck]

Hi David great to hear from you, I still have one video left from Vegas I got to get out, love your channel, mike

[@jmcc1976]

They say there is an ancient legend in Peru that goes as this: back in the day they made a plaster with unknown components that, once applied to the rock, made it a lot softer, allowing a more easy task for sculpting it ....

[@MrRecklessryan]

@@jmcc1976 It was probably an abrasive slurry, modern man still works stone with abrasive slurries. We don't use magical stone softening pastes. Peace!

[@adriancarter825]

Forget this soft stone or pre cast nonsense, it is cut stone end of story

[@xAnAngelOfDeathx]

@@adriancarter825 Agreed. If it was pre cast logic dictates that the pieces would have not been random shapes and sizes, think bricks. The soft stone notion does not make any sense to me.

[@Wardr0p]

I would LOVE to hear your commentary on the stones in Puma Punku, also thanks for the videos you have already done. I have been dying to hear from a stonemason on all of this for years.

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks James, Mike

[@johnweaver4564]

I still believe it’s difficult to move these stones. Some of them are very heavy. Doesn’t mention that. Transportation is another issue. And really, fitting these really odd shaped stones is easy? And practical? If he thinks it’s no big deal, why don’t they do it now? Or maybe, all stone masons should do this easy type of masonry?!.... through out history! What tools did he suggest where used?

[@MikeHaduck]

Hi John, I guess you got to work in the industry to understand, I appreciate the comment, mike

[@stephenphillips4984]

@@MikeHaduck Ever try cutting huge limestone, diorite and andasite blocks with copper or bronze chisels and saws? If you say this is impossible (and it is), you are being dishonest in not making a big deal out of Sacsayhuaman. Iron tools were necessary to do the job, but archaeologists have never found any. That's a problem. And how do you explain the soft-looking appearance and close fits of these blocks? If you can't (and I suspect you cannot), then once again you are being dishonest in pretending there is no big problem here. You belittle the issue posed by this site as though there is no problem, but you don't offer any solution to them. I'm unimpressed, even if you say you are a stone mason.

[@wompbozer3939]

Stephen Phillips What do you mean by soft looking stone?

[@charronfamilyconnect]

@@stephenphillips4984 I am not impressed with his dishonest, and arrogant review of this site. He does not explain how they achieved it ,and with what tools. There were no chainsaws, there were no wheels, there were no pulley systems, how did they lift and suspend those 200 tonne blocks, and place them 12 feet under ground. How did they get them up on top of a mountain? Why would they even do this if they were too busy trying to feed themselves over a thousand years ago? The fact that he is a stonemason and says this was easy indicates to me that he is not being honest, and has too big of an ego to admit that he does not know how they actually did it. I would like to see him to the same thing today using the same technology that would have been available to them over a thousand years ago!

[@hoon_sol]

@@charronfamilyconnect: Just a correction: they were not too busy trying to feed themselves at all, they had a relative abundance of food and could have thousands of people working on projects like this. Remember that we're working more hours today than even simple gatherers, although that work of course is meant to provide more than just food and shelter, but in today's economy even that's starting to unravel, so I wouldn't be too quick to dismiss what these people achieved. In fact, it's a bit of a contradiction that you try to paint them as quite advanced people technologically, while simultaneously trying to paint them as having to constantly work for food.

[@Kurtlane]

To me it's pretty amazing. Maybe it's considered more advanced to make all stones the same and fit them like bricks, but this looks a lot more interesting. I don't know of any other place that has this jigsaw style masonry: not Egyptian pyramids, not Stonehenge, not Great Wall of China, not Gothic cathedrals or medieval castles, nothing. Obviously, whoever built Sacsayhuaman, Machu Pichu and other such things knew how good it looks and how to make it look good. And I'd love to see how it was done. Small model is fine, but I still wish I could see it, because I don't know.

[@MikeHaduck]

Hi, Kurt, it's only stone, I think it was all primitive, if you want to be impressed I would look at the cathedrals, thanks Mike

[@stevegarcia3731]

I'm a mechanical design engineer, and I really appreciate your real world practical input about these sites. THANKS! As the world gets more people with related experience to pipe up, we will eventually get enough pieces to get it figured out. It may not be soon, but some day.

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks Steve, I also did a video, carving stones with ancient technology, part 2, check it out, thanks Mike

[@suep4530]

beautful scenery and very interesting video!! thanks for sharing!

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks Sue, Mike

[@MatthieuSCHREK]

Hello. Thank you for this very insightful content, and for all your efforts. Hearing a tradesman point of view is very valuable. By the way, I loved your showing of actual hand work on granit, with your brother (in another video). It was great. I truly didn't know how it was actually done. I was surprised by the speed of it too. I agree with you when you say : "You have to be a tradesman to understand some things." Indeed, indeed. I see that all the time. Matthieu

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks Mattheiu,, Mike

[@JayKayKay7]

Multi ton stone towering above the landscape as if a God's chess piece... "It's no big deal. You have to get it wet." says Mike.

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks Jay, mike

[@phyl1283]

@@MikeHaduck If it's no "big deal", then replicate 10 lineal feet to the same level of finish. Anybody can talk. Do it and post it on KZbin. Be sure you use stones that weigh up to 400 tons - to prove your point.

[@MikeHaduck]

@@phyl1283 no problem, all it takes is lots of man power, I got to build cranes like the Roman's built siege machines, lots of things to be done and quite expensive,, I have a PayPal account you can send money to get it all started, I will be waiting, thanks mike

[@apodis4900]

Just discovered your channel Mike and it's great. Very interesting. I'm a self taught amateur stone worker, which I do for fun and small profit. Thanks for some great videos.

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks, Mike

[@Chris.Davies]

Yes! It wasn't an athlete who invented the escalator, or the elevator, or the jetboat. It was a lazy-ass guy who said, "There's got to be an easier way!" And in ancient Egypt they had genius-level IQs just like today, who were lazy and could gain a king's favour by adding efficiency to all aspects of life, including how best to cut, transport, move, place and finish stones of all conceivable sizes, providing stone of sufficient quality and quantity can be found. I found Khufu's alabaster mine south-east of Minya, and some very large blocks came from that quarry, and it is about 30km from the river, and so a major road was built to the site to allow for transportation of the mine's production, to the river. Shifting large blocks on land, or by water, was not a problem for them. All it took was time and effort! And Egypt had fabulous wealth and could afford to employ farmers in the off-season, to work on the King's projects. Thank you for your no-nonsense videos.

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks Chris, well said, mike

[@CG-go9lo]

Sorry Mike, I think you are wrong, the stones are not just a few inches thick. There is one stone I saw at the top that moved from an earthquake and is a meter think with three dimensional perfect fit with the one next to it, also I have read one study that have measured the thickness at the current base with non destructive methods showing up to three meters thickness. Building the site is not an easy task as you picture. I move heavy weights by my profession and could not explain how they accomplished it, perhaps one day someone will explain it, but so far nada. Regards

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks CG, I worked with a guy who moved houses and we cot huge stones and shaped them using patterns, all common sense to me, with respect mike

[@jessicaquinn6261]

I'm pretty sure it's pronounced sex-y-wom-an. 🤣 j/k Love the video Mike. Keep up the good work and exploring!

[@MikeHaduck]

thanks Jessica, mike

[@IamMuRdA313]

love your videos. thanks again mike!

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks Georgia, mike

[@johnemerson7288]

watching this from the ruins of Saqsaywaman & you put it in a whole new perspective. They are just rocks.

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks John, very true, I did a couple videos, " carving stone with ancient technology " part 1&2, thanks Mike

[@secretAsianMan120]

As Brien Forestet pointed out These sites or what is left of them litter the Cusco area and are what remains of an ancient megalithic City that spanned The Greater Cusco Area. This city was not made By pounding stones together. Otherwise it would still be under construction

[@MikeHaduck]

Hi Michael, brien is a explorer and discover type of person but he dosent know anything about doing stone work, I did a video called "carving stones with ancient technology, Mike haduck " that might set you on the right track, thanks Mike

[@lukebrog3702]

@@MikeHaduck apparently you don't know anything about it either LOL

[@Brian-Burke]

Good info as always. I remember your mantra about retaining walls and how there are only three types, has fallen, is falling, will fall. My question is...does this mantra apply to walls where they went over the top with the earth? Thanks, Mike.

[@ricksanchez3176]

Does Baalbek fall into those 3 types? :) (I just mean that as a joke, not a challenge)

[@PaulHobus]

Love your videos Mike! Keep them coming. 😊

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks Paul, mike

[@Eigil_Skovgaard]

I think the tight fits is a very big deal. How would you do it? Can you imagine how it was done, then please explain the progression to me, for example working from left to right. Or better make a video where you create a small model with hand tools. I am not being sarcastic - I would really like to se a craftsman in masonry offer his bet.

[@MikeHaduck]

Hi Eigil, ollayatomo and my pyramid videos I give examples, thanks mike

[@Eigil_Skovgaard]

@@MikeHaduck Could you pass the link?

[@dougyoung221]

Mainstream archeologist really need to come up with a believable explanation for the world wide phenomena of monolithic stone work, or walls, if they want me on board. Hammering with stone hammers and brute force just don't get it.

[@MikeHaduck]

Hi doug,, I got a video out called, carving stones with ancient technology " part 2, not a big a deal as they want you to believe, thanks Mike

[@jzeerod]

well first of all. these megaliths are all too similar from the Azores, Easter Island, Peru, Japan, therefore some ancient they are around the world, Italy has some, China has some. literally, world wide. so what does that mean? i hope you go to these farflung areas to find out the truth. my guess pre-ice age. these things are truly ancient beyond belief.

[@MikeHaduck]

Hi Bakster, I worked with stone masons all around the world, and no matter where I go it's basically the same mentality, God instilled it in man like he installed a squirrel finding a nut, it's all the bedroom archeologist who never worked with stone who come up with these way out ideas, check out my other videos on the pyramids etc, thanks Mike

[@nopulau8628]

It’s everything. The cuts. The weight. Placement. It’s pretty cool.

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks, Mike

[@iainb1577]

Thank you for the enlightenment. I wish you had been doing these vids when Erich von Daniken was spouting his alien bosh.

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks Lian, i appreciate it, mike

[@mikeklein7931]

I have never seen anyone show the back of the rocks. Thank you Makes them seem alot more practical

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks Mike, I also have 2 videos out, " carving stones with ancient technology " Mike hauck, it might be interesting thanks Mike

[@WisdomIsPrecious]

Might not the imperfect backs of the stones create some sort of friction to better retain the earth? Similar to how the irregular but tight-fitting sides are intentionally non-uniform for a reason?

[@MikeHaduck]

Hi Wisdom, there is nothing special. That i can see, and they don’t get frost, Mike

[@bovinejonie3745]

I'm glad it's so simple. Perhaps California should adopt this style of masonry so earthquakes will stop destroying all their buildings.

[@MikeHaduck]

Hi, I don't know california is a whole different world, thanks Mike

[@smasica]

I'm an oil painter and an amateur art history buff. People back then knew their materials and processes intimately. As Mike points out, all people know today for the most part are modern methods. Ancient cultures didn't have the benefits of modern tools and power equipment. So, they worked out methods to accomplish what they wanted to do. Much of that knowledge was lost over time. Now you get crackpots coming up with all sorts of off-the-wall theories about how the ancients did things. As is usually the case with most things, the simplest explanation is the best; they figured it out and used what they had.

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks Tremolux man , great explanation, I agree, Mike

[@stephenphillips4984]

@@MikeHaduck But it is not an explanation just to say "they figured it out"! This is just silly, lazy nonsense.

[@EridanuS86]

Yeah, Tremolux Man. , From a certain point of view, this may be true. We forgot lot of our previous knowledge and technology as well. Anyway, some world wide myths clearly speaking about a lost civilisation, which used high-techology, Chris Dunn for example found a circular-saw machine marks on the Giza plateau. These cannot be ruled out either. My hobby the studying the world wide mythology. I personally believe in a forgotten high civilization who, like us, used machines, even automatic vehicles, planes in the past. There is plenty anomaly as well, which pointing to this supposition.

[@SacredGeometryDecoded]

@@EridanuS86 I made giant circular saw mark in granite with a short straight copper blade. I would be very careful about trusting Chris Dunn. I made granite drill cores using sand and copper that mimicked every “lost high technology” feature including mysterious tapering. Chris Dunn claims to have done an granite core experiment and he got 1mm taper over 50mm core. I say claim because he faked it, he used a machine. It’s impossible to keep a drill that straight operated by hand. He fabricated that result, and many others.

[@andresamplonius315]

That "Forgotten High Civilization" is just disguised RACIST BULLSHIT of white people unwilling to aknowledge the acomplishments of other peoples

[@thylacinenv]

Your videos should be essential viewing for Hancock followers, recently "Ancient Architects" cobbled together some nonsense regarding Inca walls "Revealing" animal shapes incorporated within the structure. I suggested this was a clear example of Charles Bonnet Syndrome. Yours is the voice of reason, well done.

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks Nick, Mike

[@Eman85515]

Thank you Mike 🌻🥀🌻

[@coryCuc]

I haven't looked at all your videos yet, but I'd love to hear your take on Serapeum boxes at Saqqara as well as the granite box under the pyramid at Illahun in Egypt.

[@MikeHaduck]

Hi Cory, check them out especially , carving stone with ancient technology, Mike haduck

[@Sprnklrmn]

Summary: “it’s easy to do…. A lazy guy can figure it out”. Brilliant insight.

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks, I got videos out," carving stones with ancient technology " parts 1 and 2, no big deal, Mike

[@TheAdventureZombie]

If you look at the original photos of Sacsaywaman you can see the smaller stones were stacked in those locations in the early 1900s during the first archeological study of the site to make it look better and help with ease of walking around the site.

[@MikeHaduck]

Hi I believe you, thanks, Mike

[@bdcopper]

once again you have added a common sense approach to how building these ancient sites were done. Thanks for your insight.

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks bd, I appreciate it, Mike

[@cv507]

redüh pümäHR v v

[@roymadison5686]

There is a market out there for megalithic stone work. Alot of middle class and rich folk would like some of that with a water feature or in their garden, or even inside incorporated with a fireplace. IF IT AINT NO BIG DEAL. There would be many stonemasons out there providing the service , and THERE AINT NONE. I picked up the trowel in 1978 as a real stone Mason and am still at it. I can do some pretty tight work with thinner rock, but this huge stuff still has me flummoxed. I really appreciated the video on the back sides of the stonework in Peru. Thanks mike.

[@MikeHaduck]

thank Roy , I appreciate it, we are a dying breed, mike

[@Iazzaboyce]

I live in the UK and we have an ancient stone structure called Stonehenge that was made around 5000 years ago out of many large stones each weighing 20 - 30 tons. The thing is they have discovered the stone must have come from a quarry 125 miles away and somehow moved to the Stonehenge site. You have to wonder how they did that.

[@MikeHaduck]

Hi lazza, they did it, Mike

[@sailingaeolus]

​@@MikeHaduck Well according to you, just find the lazy guy and "bam" he'll have it moved for ya! Yes sir, lazy man will move yer 20 to 30 ton stone 125 miles.

[@MikeHaduck]

Hi, yes, check out " amish shed move" on youtube a lazy guy figured that out, thanks Mike

[@jbrise7560]

Great video Mike! Moving them stones ain’t No Big Deal! 👍

[@yopage]

Rule #1 in moving large stone. If rock starts falling the wrong way, RUN.

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks J, Mike

[@ontiltsailingdalehudson7170]

It's good to see your face again my friend!! I'm back at my home port just trying to relax, but the boat that I mate on has been very busy. This month we have gone out 9 of the last 30 days! I guess i'm not as retired as I thought!! See you later Mike!

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks Dale, I will be checking you out, mikr

[@globalhell5046]

Thanks. Great content!

[@MikeHaduck]

thanks Global, mike

[@martiansurgery]

Interesting you do notice and see the difference between the 'patch' work (small stones) done by the Inca. Question if the Inca are the same people who did the big stone work, WHY wouldnt they use the bigger stones to fill what needed to be patched? They shouldve been able to drop a bigger flatter stone to cover the patch work.. Why wouldnt they have done that, IF they knew how to move big stones (apparently pretty easy to do, if they did it in the first place)

[@MikeHaduck]

Hi, Their choice, thanks Mike

[@maxdaly8185]

It would be nice if someone would scan and 3-d model all of those big, broken and tossed stones, the ones with stair carvings, so we could reassemble how they fit together. Nice video, thanks for sharing.

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks, I got 2 videos out ,carving stones with ancient technology, part 2, & 2 check them out, thanks Mike

[@arkansas1336]

That looks like it was an interesting place to visit. I think your assessment regarding the stone work was 'spot on'!

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks 13, I appreciate it, mike

[@stephenphillips4984]

No. He either ignores the problems or belittles them without convincing reasons or evidence. Just saying it was no big deal just does not cut it.

[@patrickday4206]

One thing most people don't know is their are many mines from these ancient civilizations in this area so they also were capable of tunneling into mountains and getting out metal's like copper and gold.

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks, Mike

[@stevefaure415]

Thanks for the tour of this incredible place. You say a few times you think the stone must have been 'softer' at one time. Do you mean that the appearance of the carvings are as if it was done in soft material or do you actually think the stone was 'soft' once upon a time? Thanks.

[@MikeHaduck]

Hi Steve, when stone is first quarried it's always softer, then as it sits outside it gets much harder, but it still could be carved easy soft or hard, I did a video called, " carving stones with ancient technology, " Mike haduck, thanks Mike

[@786otto]

Nice video Mike, hope you enjoyed your trip.

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks, it was a hard one but glad I went, mike

[@deanwalker6540]

Dude said absolutely nothing. Also butchered the names of the places.

[@MikeHaduck]

thanks Dean, mike

[@420JackG]

Feel free to go to the Andes and make your own video, Dean. Fucking prick.

[@lukebrog3702]

100%

[@charliespeegleokliving8595]

I really enjoy your videos. It's funny how some modern people don't want to believe that ancient people had skills and knew how to improve them with available materials. I recently saw Solving the Mystery of the Sacsayhuaman Sacred Landscape: Water by Ancient Architects. They propose it was a giant water park(my words) and I found it compelling. Hope you watch and give your opinion. If it were full of water and raining, water would have been gushing out the cracks between the stones. ... I have a cinderblock basement which safely floods when the lake is full. Since, the water table rises faster outside the basement than inside, water shoots out the seep holes like a fountain.

[@MikeHaduck]

Hi Charlie, check out my videos " carving stone with ancient technology ", Part 1 & 2, thanks Mike

[@GreatCityAttractions]

An amazing place ! so much history too.

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks, Mike

[@Arthagnou]

What kind of stone did they use? IF they did manage to soften them, then Id say those stones would have to be a specific type with a specific chemistry.

[@MikeHaduck]

Hi Shift, they might have been softer at one time but you can do the same with granite, just a lot more time consuming, thanks, mike

[@dietalarmclock2607]

what is with the 2 sometimes 3 notches handles or (terminals?) on the bottom of some rocks.

[@MikeHaduck]

Hi diet, I think it was handles to help move them and later on a lot of them were removed when the stone was in place, my opinion, thanks Mike

[@matt910077]

Excellent as always good sir

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks Matt, mike

[@lendavidhart9710]

Soft at first, thats right, up in the Princeton, Nj area, i remember in a job i worked at, the red clay, which was like rock hard, always reminded me of red driveway stone, almost as if it would turn into stone. Edit, thank you for posting/sharing, your trip.

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks Len, mike

[@68Mie]

Hello 👋 Mike. What can you tell about the knobs on the stones? What kind of tool could have done the scoop marks?

[@MikeHaduck]

Hi Mie, I did a video called " carving stones with ancient technology, Mike haduck, " its not a big deal, they could use anything as hard or harder, thanks Mike

[@Shih47]

Debunkers always leave out relevant.facts . That's their MO. This one is no exception, apparently.

[@MikeHaduck]

Hi Shih,,, I did a video called "carving stone with ancient technology, Mike haduck" plus my pyramid videos etc. Don't be listening to all those bedroom archeologist who never worked with stone or moved houses, etc, thanks mike

[@SacredGeometryDecoded]

What facts have been left out? It’s the other way around I found, the mystery men say it’s andesite from 100km away. Etc etc. Their relevant facts are untrue but the defenders of the mystery leave that out.

[@colroulette9337]

Thanks Mike!

[@MikeHaduck]

thanks col. mike

[@malcolmfraser7939]

Mike, a thought came to me : The gravity we experience is currently 9.81 N We should consider a reduce gravity , say 4.5 N. A time were gravity and crystal lattice chemistry was different from today. An event took place , a biblical event, wiping out humanity. Leaving behind " stones ".

[@MikeHaduck]

Tha js malcom,, Mike

[@martindrew3513]

I recently looked at an ancient site and thought "I wonder if this was a water slide." Now that I have heard Mike say the same thing I feel a little smarter.

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks, Mike

[@cantbanme792]

YES finally, someone realistic. they carved the stones with hammers, left knobs for pivot points, and used acid to fit the edges, using the weight of the stone. creating a perfect fit, with unperfect backsides. there is a book written by a half spanish, half Incan/aztec man who was told by first hand sources how the stones were made. with some interpretation, it was figured they used acid that collected in their copper mines. I think the stones were worked with acid as they were manipulated, maybe even smoothed with it. that would leave marks as the stone sits on something with residual acid.

[@MikeHaduck]

Hi Can't, I don't know about the acid, first time I heard it, either way it's all doable with primitive tools thanks Mike

[@thequietcanadian4494]

I like your video thank you, would love to know how they soften stone, do you have any idea?

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks, I never had to soften stone but as a stone Mason I can tell you it is softer when you first quarry it and it is easier to cut the warmer it is. Thanks mike

[@lajok3r323]

IM ADDICTED TO YOUR VIDEOS!!! I DONT EVEN DO ANY SORT OF MASONRY WORK. I DO MUSIC BUT NOW I WANNA LAY BRICKS!! 💯💯💯💯

[@wmsbbg6624]

Maybe you were destined to lay brick/block/stone. Nice- you will be both a mason and a musician.

[@lajok3r323]

@@wmsbbg6624 I like that........ ❤❤

[@ReddoFreddo]

Everyone knows it was the aliens that did this

[@MikeHaduck]

thanks Reddo, mike

[@jmcc1976]

Those right angle cuts and square indentations that can be seen, for example, at 4:42 and 5:50 ... How could they do it? ...

[@MikeHaduck]

Hi Jorge, no big deal, check out my khafre pyramid video, I show it, it just takes time, Mike

[@jmcc1976]

Mike Haduck Masonry thanks, I will check that video very soon ...

[@rdaugherty52]

There are places where the stone had to be like clay it looks like they took there fingers and raked through it also the stones on top mashed the ones on the bottom and the marks are still there how did they make the rock soft?

[@MikeHaduck]

Hi rd,stones are always softer when they are first quarried, thanks mike

[@petem7118]

Thanks for sharing 👍 Did you get a chance to see the unfinished walls that have unfinished facing rock in situ? Like the builders had just walked away for a tea break…. Looking at them would suggest that they used naturally shaped rocks and very simply used each rock as ‘sander’ or rubb it to fit against rocks below and at the side once they did that so the joints were flush they would then finish the faces of the rocks with stone ‘hammers’….. to match each other….. I always wondered if that is the basics of the method, then are the nodes or ‘lumps’ that stick out randomly from the rock wall faces there because during that finishing work the stonemasons could hear a different sound as they knocked lumps of the face rock off and that sound suggested that if they kept hitting that area … the rock would crack…. And given the walls themselves would now be completed and impossible to remove would the stone masons have just left those areas unfinished and ‘sticking out’ from the finished facing…? I have never seen these as being built by some high technology….. more just lost technique and methods with the tools they had at the time ….

[@MikeHaduck]

I haven't seen them, but stone work is all basic, time and experience, thanks Mike

[@tomc.2808]

NICE first 360 of this area✌️

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks Tom, Mike

[@LasseGreiner]

Thanks Mike for your pragmatic insight. I follow your opinion. It is along the same lines with medieval engineering.

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks Lasse, I agree, Mike

[@jeffsmith50001]

Why bother going to see stuff Mike when everything is no big deal, nothing new to look at here. Stay at home Mike and just show us how they did it just like you do it today. Like the Pyramids, "lay an outer shaped block, and then fill with junk". Sounds even more stupid than the poured concrete idea.

[@MikeHaduck]

I jeff, every wall project I worked on that was how it was done, but send me the link to your video showing different, then we will see, with respect mike

[@jeffsmith50001]

@@MikeHaduck hi Mike. I don't make vids. But you may be interested to watch the latest vid from Ben. UNCHARTED X. Podcast with the Snake Bros. Ben talks about the buildings in Peru. A good start maybe. Cheers Jeff.

[@splitprim]

Nice video, well done sir. I have been there as well. When "HOW did they do it?" is not important (and I agree, though I think is interesting to know anyway), the next question is: "WHY did they do it?" They obviously didn't matter about how it looked like, and it only protect one part of the total side. It seems they needed a Big Wall, on that side, and, seeing the building-method (geopolymeric), they needed it fast. There must be a rational reason for building this all, it must have taken lots of labour hours, food, logistics, housing, etc. Huge project! Or it was all done for dogma reasons, and then all hope op logic is lost.

[@MikeHaduck]

Hi Split, I agree, mike

[@michaellastname4922]

Dear Split: "How' IS important, not only technically -- moving and shaping multiton chunks of rock isn't easy -- but socially. How was their society organized to field workers, feed them, bivouac them, keep them happy ... and all at 6,000' altitude or more? So 'WHY' is a valid question, yet 'HOW' is non-trivial.

[@Trizzer89]

A fulcrum and counterweights can move just about anything. I'm much more impressed by the perfect fit of irregular shapes

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks Trizzer,, Mike

[@malcolmtaylor518]

Why did they put rounded surfaces on the front of the stones?

[@MikeHaduck]

Hi Malcolm, it's a style, masons still do it today, thanks Mike

[@malcolmtaylor518]

@@MikeHaduck Thanks for the reply.

[@miguelangelarriagagutierre8461]

Good vídeo Mike

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks Maria, mike

[@HitandRunProds]

They don't look to me like they were cut or curved, but rather some form of giant sandbags filled in place with molten rock or stone and molded into shape.

[@MikeHaduck]

Hi JR, nope I didn't see no evidence of that, I worked in stone quarries and been a stonemason all my life, i know the difference, thanks mike

[@shanek6582]

Is it limestone or some volcanic type?

[@MikeHaduck]

Hi Shane, I would say something in between, I got a couple samples but nothing near granite, thanks, Mike

[@JCaesar11]

I'm a little lost as to the point of this. You appear to be minimizing the significance of this magnificent work done by a people only possessing the most primitive of tools (allegedly) hundreds (if not thousands) of years ago at significant elevation above sea level. They also appear to have had the ability to deform the stone or at least mold it in some way which is unknown to this day. I've also seen other stonemasons and engineers comment on how remarkable this is. Anyway it's always interesting to see other opinions.

[@MikeHaduck]

Hi Augustus, I am working on a video now showing how it was done, thanks mike

[@JCaesar11]

@@MikeHaduck looking forward to it, cheers

[@charronfamilyconnect]

Hey Mike how did they lift/suspend, and place those 200 tonne blocks in place so well without cranes thousands of years ago?

[@MikeHaduck]

Hi B. I give examples on my pyramid videos, thanks Mike

[@charronfamilyconnect]

@@MikeHaduck I will have to check out those videos to see how you arrive at those theories. After all, they are likely just theories. I like how humanity has to have a theory for everything that they cannot easily explain nor replicate themselves! I guess we have such big egos that we cannot accept that we do not know...

[@gindling1054]

a must read is Vincent Lee's "Building Big with next to Nothing" A great many insights on moving big stones with ingenuity.

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks Brian, I will have to, mike

[@sniffulsquack5608]

my favorite youtuber.

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks, Mike

[@luigivampa9895]

Great video 👍 👌 👍

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks Luigi, Mike

[@sniffulsquack5608]

so whats the verdict? do you think it got harder over time? that would make sence, the markings on it are extremly odd. and they are huge with very small joint spacing. i love how they still knew more than us.

[@MikeHaduck]

Hi, I think they were softer, any quarry guy knows they are softer when first quarried, then they get hard, thanks Mike

[@coryCuc]

Love the picture at 6:00. Of all the videos and pictures I've seen, I've never seen this one before. Definitely looks like there was softened or molten rock flowing. What kind of rock is that?

[@MikeHaduck]

Hi Cory, I got samples, it hard now, Mike

[@Arthur-Silva]

What a great video!

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks Arthur, Mike

[@markdearlove8634]

Great video. As are the others you've made on the subject. I'm curious about the protrusions, sometimes called nubs sticking out on some stones. You see this in many old stone structures world wide. Why do you think some stones have one or more and other stones of similar proportions in the same structure don't? I also wonder why, if they were just Anchorage points for lifting/positioning, they where left in place?

[@MikeHaduck]

Hi Mark, I say just for lifting ,on my Egyptian museum video, there is a lot of them, thanks mike

[@coryCuc]

Agreed. Those damn nubs are the key lol. Honestly, it's baffling because first of all, those nubs are found literally all over the world. South America, Africa, Asia, Europe....also not all blocks have the nubs. Add in the fact that many of the nubs and protrusions are not big enough for any kind of rope or other type of tool for leverage in lifting or moving. And if they had the ability to quarry, move, cut, polish these huuuuge stones, why leave the nubs? I've seen all sorts of ideas on what these were used for...I think Praveen Mohan on his channel even brought up the idea that they had something to do with acoustics, resonance, frequency of sounds being played and they had an effect on vibrations etc... Who knows lol

[@stephenphillips4984]

@@MikeHaduck That's a silly idea. Any thorough study of knobs on megalithic walls, etc worldwise reveals that most stone blocks don't have them, that they have been often carved at points highly unsuitable for lifting purposes, some are too small or shallow to allow ropes to be wound around them or strung under them (they would slip off), some are larger than would be needed merely to stop ropes sliding off the blocks, whilst many blocks display knobs that would not have been needed because they were light enough for a couple of guys to lift by hand. Finally, some knobs have been carved with great precision. Who would ever bother to do this if they were just for lifting into position?! In other words, your proposal, which has been similarly debunked by many people on similar websites, simply does not make sense. Like the rest of your analysis, it does not penetrate to the real issues posed by megalithic masony.

[@MikeHaduck]

I got another video coming out Monday, its all hype from bedroom archeologist

[@charliespeegleokliving8595]

@@coryCuc The nubs were definitely used to lift the stones with ropes. Check out how the Romans moved large stones. As for why they were left behind. #1 the structure was unfinished? #2 structure finished and the nubs were used to scale during special event? #3 They liked the effect of water rolling off on the nubs when it rained or was very wet?

[@kenycharles8600]

Thank you for this presentation, Mike. I have seen several presentations by people who have never lifted anything heavier than their suitcase that glorify these archeological sites and say how impossible they were to build using ancient technology. It pleases me to hear you say it's not that big of a deal. I have seen enormous amounts of weight lifted and moved using simple leverage during my years as an ironworker. Your perspective means more to me than any of those desk and keyboard jockeys. I enjoy your presentations and I have learned some stuff from your videos that I can use around the house too. Take care during your travels.

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks Kent, I appreciate hearing that, Mike

[@fudgedogbannana]

What do you mean "the stone might have been softer"? how was the stone softer?

[@MikeHaduck]

Hi Sammy, stone first quarried is a lot softer, some more than others, when it sits in open weather than it gets real hard, ask any quarry guy, thanks Mike

[@yopage]

Would love to see that country. I heard a lot of Americans are retiring in Peru.

[@MikeHaduck]

Hi yopa, it is very nice, And not that expensive, mike

[@DanielinLaTuna]

Greetings from SoCal, Mike. Thanks for sharing. How did you do altitude-wise? I get sick at 7000’ and above. (I hear the locals have an effective short-term medicine.) Keep on traveling!

[@MikeHaduck]

Hi Daniel, I got sick for a day 12,800 feet then the next days I was ok, like being sea sick, thanks, mike

[@bobgillis1137]

Of I may interject, I had the chance to go to Sexywoman and Machu Pichu twice. I hiked the Incan trial to the latter and had no problems. The locals along the trail sold leaves of the cocao plant (the base plant for cocaine) as the remedy for altitude sickness, and despite a 50lb pack, I was fine. I was on a subsequent minibus tour towards Lake Titikaka at about 15,000 ft ASL. I jumped out of the van at one point and almost had a frickin heart attack in just ten feet. I am guessing the Inca trail was much lower above sea level. Btw, the cocao leaves were perfectly legal their, but you don't want to have any trace of them on the way to other countries, EG ecuador.

[@Elsuper68]

As the incas found the big stones with a long crack that splits the stone they just pick them that's how the stones fit together because it was a natural line . They go around the giant stones continue putting different shapes of stones

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks Elcarosh, mike

[@francavilla3386]

One thing we know for sure in watching your videos is that the. Inca’s for some reason lost the technology that whoever did the megalithics work knew. That knowledge was not passed down. What happened during that gap when mega tech knowledge was lost is the question.

[@MikeHaduck]

Hi Lynn, they didnt loose anything. There was no reason to continue on doing it, no mystery, thanks mike

[@francavilla3386]

@@MikeHaduck thanks mike- why wasn’t it necessary anymore? Is it just because new techniques were developed? It seems like the megalithic work is of a higher quality than the Inca work (not sure if that is true??)

[@MikeHaduck]

@@francavilla3386 hi Lynn, just like all the jobs today, some are fancy like the churches and gov buildings are others are built like Mobil homes, depends on how much time you want to spend on it, not a big deal, thanks mike

[@nrnrnrnrnrnnrnrnrnr]

Ahaha seriously? making a video only to state its not a big deal? 🤣🤣🤣 Ok, then , as there is nothing to see there, could you tell me what's the music you have going under? Thx

[@MikeHaduck]

Hi, I have other videos " stones with ancient technology " Mike haduck, and I have a youtube channel with all my music, Mike haduck music, thanks, mike

[@Azeraph]

The top undressed top stones are caps so those beneath that are thin don't come loose from anything acting on it or just didn't bother due to them being the capstones and as you said they were meant to be covered. We tend to forget in this time frame that most of us think big builds in 5 year stints. It is said it took them 67 years? Long enough to shape each one to lock almost seamlessly. They weren't devoid of tools and know how, they had their knowledge base and histories but all of it was wiped out by the Spanish. It was built before they arrived and the generations that built them were long gone hence possible die out of any professional stonies. There is some anomalous details like the light saber cut that boggles my mind. Those soft looking scoop like cuts in some of the faces could be brace points. Some of them look like pounding hammer scoops. Kind of sloppy almost like different teams fitted each one and some just thought what the hell. In saying so then these walls were not meant to be some feature.

[@MikeHaduck]

Hi Azerapth, I agree about the different teams over time, they each had their own little technique, thanks mike

[@Bad_Chariot]

it is concrete. they poured it all. 3:51 a field of rocks that look like poured blocks.

[@MikeHaduck]

Hi, not a chance, I got a video, "carving stones with ancient technology " thanks mike

[@sylbaster2658]

Hey, I wanted to make a brief mention of Percy Fawcetts expeditions into the amazon, at one point he mentions watching a bird soften stone with a red leafed plant before pecking the stone away. I wonder if something similar was used for this. I also wanted to mention that this region, prior to the arrival of the spanish, had no large trees, even post spanish they main trees in the area are eucalyptus. So the concept of using wooden rollers seems out the window.... additionally, they had no pack animals other than llamas and al pacas, and they are certainly not an animal that you can use in teams...

[@MikeHaduck]

Hi. Matt, they found a way, you can use round stones as rollers also, thanks, mike

[@sylbaster2658]

@@MikeHaduck that's a good point, I wonder if any have been found in the region?

[@caseyalexander1705]

@@sylbaster2658 David Hatcher Childress did an older video and I believe he was around Ollantytambo. Up in the mountains there is literally a huge stone wheel with the center hollowed out exactly where an axel would go. Brien Foerster also has footage of a stone wheel being at Puma Punku. You can google the image of the first one and it should come right up. The second one is buried in extensive amounts of Brien’s video footage. Best Regards.

[@toddolson573]

And not once did you feel like you were flying on a side of a ball at 90 degrees.

[@MikeHaduck]

Hi Todd, it's not as big a deal as they say, all it takes is time and money, thanks Mike

[@danielfox6907]

Something I can't figure out is why would a guy who spent 30 years running a stone cutting business object to poured concrete.

[@MikeHaduck]

Hi Daniel, God made stones last longer, thanks mike

[@ohkfilms]

Your commentary on the slide as both having been softer and water could have ran through it. There’s a guy whose theory was that the whole complex was built and used for water management. The upturned stairs, I would suggest were dynamited. Colonist building Cuzco quarried and repurposed rocked from sacsay. And used dynamite to chip of rock. In regards to your saying find the laziest person to figure out a method to do something most efficiently. The saying “work smarter, not harder” could work the same amirite? Glass half full.. what I’m saying is, smart people are lazy, lazy people are smart!

[@MikeHaduck]

Hi film, I like your theory on the dynamite, I wonder if any body down there considered that, thanks Mike

[@EridanuS86]

I think it is a kind of brick from the local stone, from finally ground powder. They just used casting form to shape it, or they cut them with a thin rope. Even there is a snake form on the front of one of the brick, which looks like made by simple fingers in a soft surface as a sign. wakinguponturtleisland.blogspot.com/2015/07/sacsayhuaman-serpents-snakes-forming.html

[@MikeHaduck]

thanks Peter. mike

[@PatrickWithington]

Thank you

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks, Mike