Engineers in Ancient Egypt
How the Pyramids were built
Ancient Egyptian engineers had to figure out how to build pyramids. They:
Found a place to build on rock to hold the heavy stones needed for the pyramids.
Made measurements so the rocks fit together.
Designed the pyramid with larger blocks on stone on the bottom and smaller blocks higher up.
Designed a tool called a cubit rod to measure the dimensions of the pyramid.
Designed a tool called a level to make sure each stone was flat.
Figure out a way to transport heavy stones from the quarries to the pyramid site. They used sleds, ropes, and water to move the sleds (see photo above).
Cut limestone by drilling holes along a large block, then using levers to break the rock loose.
Created ramps to move the pyramids up to the higher levels.
Used human resources like farmers and soldiers when they were not busy with other jobs.
Tools Used in Ancient Egypt
The Ancient Eqyptians used many tools to build the pyramids.
They made tools from copper, such as levers to break and move heavy rocks.
They used granite and limestone, or types of rocks.
They needed boats to move the heavy stones long distances.
They built wooden sleds and created roads from limestone chips (small pieces of rock).
They made ropes from papyrus and other strong grasses.
They built wooden rollers under the sleds to help them move.
They designed ramps to move the heavy rocks up the sides of the pyramids.
They created levels to make sure the surface was flat and the sides of rock were straight.