Energy Management Reduces Great Pyramid Build Effort by More Than 98%

by Gerard C. A. Fonte, (Principal Engineer, The PAK Engineers, 3985 Tonawanda Creek Rd., East Amherst, NY 14051. E-mail: gfonte@wzrd.com)

Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, Vol. 137, No. 12, December 2011, pp. 1195-1204, (doi:  http://dx.doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)CO.1943-7862.0000373)

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Document type:	Case Studies
Discussion:	by Gunnar Lucko, Ph.D. E-mail: lucko@cua.edu (See full record)
Closure:	(See full record)
Abstract:	The general consensus of most archaeologists is that approximately 25,000 workers labored for 23 years to build the Great Pyramid in Egypt at Giza. However, by examining the "mysterious tools" and other clues left behind , it is found that the Egyptians were masters of energy management and that the 25,000-worker build time could be reduced to only 138.6 days (using very conservative calculations). More realistically, and matching evidence found at the pyramid site, approximately 4,000 workers were probably used, and they took 4–6 calendar years at a fairly leisurely pace. This is on the basis of archaeological evidence, standard engineering principles, and ingenuity. Management of energy of assembly is a critical issue in the efficient construction of large structures. The principles used in ancient times are still applicable today. It is assumed that the Egyptians were smart people and that they were capable of employing the technology that they are known to have possessed in a creative and resourceful manner.