The mystery of the Great pyramid : traditions concerning it and its connection with the Egyptian Book of the dead : with numerous illustrations

MYSTERY OF THE GREAT PYRAMID

not appreciating this evidence—which is twofold—is simply due to the fact that the Great Pyramid, wzlike all other pyramids in Egypt, is a monumental piece of engineering construction, planned and erected on engineering principles, which consequently can only be appreciated and understood by the engineer conversant with constructional work on a large scale. Jt is not, therefore, a problem for the Egyptologist, as such, to solve. (See Note O.)

This evidence is afforded by the granite plug at the lower end of the first ascending passage (see diagram at p. 38). Tombic theorists will assert that it was retained in the Grand Gallery until after the dead king had been laid to rest in the King’s Chamber. It was then allowed to slide down the passage until wedged in at its foot, thus preventing all future access above. Any constructional engineer knows, however, that this idea is a mechanical impossibility, owing to the great weight of the stone (many tons) and its tight fit in the passage. Any such attempt to slide it down the passage after the passage had been constructed would be fruitless, as it would inevitably jamb at the very top of the passage, and become immovable. Access, therefore, to the passages and chambers above the plug was only possible so long as they were not roofed over, that is until the King’s Chamber, some 165 feet above ground level, had been completed. And we have evidence in the mason’s marks over the King’s Chamber (see p. 23 above) that that apartment was completed and roofed in while Khufu was still alive, and the whole Pyramid finished during the last seven years of his reign, including the co-regency of his brother Khafra.

The granite plug, therefore, was built into position during actual work of construction of the passage, and when the pyramid itself had reached a height of barely 20 feet above ground level. J¢ is thus constructionally impossible

48