Go Fly a Kite!

[Bradius]

I really don't make all of this stuff up. Last night I was watching the discovery channel and a group of scientists came up with a rather wild theory that the Egyptians could have used kites as their power source to raise the oblisks and pyramid blocks using kites, ropes, pullies and wooden towers. It was more than a little wierd, but one other different idea on how it may have been done. :rolleyes:

[Keith]

I've seen the same thing mentioned elsewhere too. It's really reaching hard for something "new". Personally, I think it's a load of hogwash. :D The slightest change in wind speed or direction and you'd have a disaster in the making and the "kites" (more probably sails) would have to be immense to raise 200 ton obelisks.

The method that looks the most reasonable to me was one demonstrated on a PBS program where they raised a smaller scale obelisk using a ramp and sand pit. Drag it up a ramp, get the base end over the edge (no easy task even with ropes, pulleys and levers,) slide the obelisk base down the face of the ramp into sand pit that covers a base stone. Then raise the obelisk to veritcal as you drain the sand from the pit and do a little manual sand clearing finish the job.
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[Bradius]

I agree with you Keith. I think sand hydrolics makes the most sense. Any way you slice it, it must have been an amazing engineering feat for that long ago.

[Keith]

I have often thought about what it must have really looked like as the pyramids were built. Some of the newer programs I've seen have used CGI graphics to envision this for me. Truly being there at the time they were built must have been an impressive sight.
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[EmperorJay]

Who knows what CotN has to offer us on that aspect.

[Ineti]

I agree with you Keith. I think sand hydrolics makes the most sense. Any way you slice it, it must have been an amazing engineering feat for that long ago.

I recall a documentary from National Geographic, I think, that had a group of modern scientists and engineers trying to raise an obelisk using only classical tools and ropes and such, and they weren't able to do it. Makes it all the more impressive that the Egyptians did such feats.

[Keith]

I recall a documentary from National Geographic, I think, that had a group of modern scientists and engineers trying to raise an obelisk using only classical tools and ropes and such, and they weren't able to do it. Makes it all the more impressive that the Egyptians did such feats.
The one program I saw was successful in raising a small one using a sand pit method. I believe it was aired as part of a series on ancient mysteries, and included a section on building a medieval trebuchet.

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[Azeem]

Raising an obelisk with kites? Fascinating. I always find these out-of-the-box musings rather interesting. :)

[Keith]

Raising an obelisk with kites? Fascinating. I always find these out-of-the-box musings rather interesting. :)
These are not your average box or triangular kites, however. These are large two handed parafoil style kites. The kind of kites you see now on some beaches or in use with a new type of sailboard, where there is no mast and sail attached to the board just styrups for the persons feet while a large parafoil kite is controlled by two lines, one in each hand. The clip I recall seeing revealed that they were somewhat hard to control and that one was only about 6 feet across.

I could imagine something like that maybe being used to help sledge pullers drag those huge blocks by reducing their effort. However, you'd think that somewhere there would be a record of these in some tomb if any were ever used for either purpose.
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[Jayhawk]

I remember finding a site about that during the wait for Pharaoh. Sadly it disappeared. It was most ingenious though, as it mapped all kinds of symbols/objects to tools used with the kites. I remember the variously shaped staves and the Ankh used to tie ropes aroung (much like a belaying pin).

[Azeem]

Many interesting possibilities. That is what makes the ancient world so fascinating. We can claim to know, yet we ultimately know nothing. :)

[Keith]

Here are some links to info on the field testing of the kite theory:

http://www.kitelife.com/archives/0701/wind.htm
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2001/06/0628_caltechobelisk.html
http://abcnews.go.com/sections/wnt/DailyNews/wnt_pyramid010624.html

[Miut]

Move over Leonardo, eh? Invented the parachute before there was anything to jump out of to use it. ;)

[Niempie]

That's why Leonardo also invented a sort of flyingmachine. So he could use his parachute. ;)

[Bradius]

Thanks for finding those links Keith. The first link at kitelife has photos from the program I watched.

[Atihotep]

I recall a documentary from National Geographic, I think, that had a group of modern scientists and engineers trying to raise an obelisk using only classical tools and ropes and such, and they weren't able to do it. Makes it all the more impressive that the Egyptians did such feats.
But they didn't build anything, you see. That's just what the old and crusty historical establishment want you to believe. Really, it was the aliens. I mean, the Egyptians were too primitive to build anything. Consult Chariots of the Gods, the 'improved' numbers are very convincing. ;)

[Bradius]

Well, there you go. How about an Easter Egg or cheat where the Aliens in their space ships come down and whip up a pyramid or an Oblisk in a hurry? ;)

[Keith]

Well, there you go. How about an Easter Egg or cheat where the Aliens in their space ships come down and whip up a pyramid or an Oblisk in a hurry? ;)
Already been suggested.

"Chariots of the Gods"....http://community.vugames.com/Images/emoticons/rotfl.gif

Good one, Atihotep. I was wondering when someone would mention it. ;)
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[Ineti]

But they didn't build anything, you see. That's just what the old and crusty historical establishment want you to believe. Really, it was the aliens. I mean, the Egyptians were too primitive to build anything. Consult Chariots of the Gods, the 'improved' numbers are very convincing. ;)

Next you'll be telling me that the US Air Force has a Stargate down in an old missile silo in Colorado and has found proof positive that aliens not only built the pyramids, but use them as intergalactic ships. :p :D

[Atihotep]

Next you'll be telling me that the US Air Force has a Stargate down in an old missile silo in Colorado and has found proof positive that aliens not only built the pyramids, but use them as intergalactic ships. :p :D
What? How did you know?:eek:

Atihotep

[Bradius]

Origiinally posted by Atihotep:
What? How did you know? :eek:

I told him. Now I am telling the world. NORAD now stands for "National Outerspace Reconnaissance And Defense" I have been their and seen the strange aliens and travel device brought from Egypt! It is all real. You must believe me... ARGH! What's that banging sound at the door??...THEY have found me!....Must go to back into hiding quick.... :rolleyes:

[Atihotep]

I told him. Now I am telling the world. NORAD now stands for "National Outerspace Reconnaissance And Defense" I have been their and seen the strange aliens and travel device brought from Egypt! It is all real. You must believe me... ARGH! What's that banging sound at the door??...THEY have found me!....Must go to back into hiding quick.... :rolleyes:
Cue melodramatic music and possibly ad break. Just like Threat Matrix! The blockbuster episode, tonight on Se7en. Good old dodgy incorporation of corporate logos into corporate names.

Atihotep
Cynical as ever

[Keith]

Threat Matrix cancelled for next season.

[Atihotep]

I knew it wouldn't last long. Especially since Se7en has shoved it into the 9.30pm timeslot against some good shows. (This is Australia, obviously.)

[Jayhawk]

Thanks for the links, Keith.

It's a pity I can't find that other site anymore, as it was really extensive in listing the things they thought supported the kite theory. :(