Virtual testing of a new conjecture for the stone ascending device in Egyptian pyramids by means of a multibody dynamics simulation

Abstract

The ascending of rock blocks for building the Egyptian pyramids has been the topic of many discussions among Egyptologists. One of the authors (F.S.) conjectured a method that could be used for the task. In his own words: “This is the story of the random discovery of an oscillating machine, capable of using gravity to ascend, as the sail goes upwind.” In this article, by means of a virtual prototype and multibody dynamics simulation, the physical feasibility of such method is tested for the first time. From historical and archeological bases, this investigation presents the fundamental functional features of the virtual model components for the ascending of the stones. Furthermore, the methodological details for the model setup, as well as the discussion on the stone ascending movements, are herein addressed. The main results obtained from the simulation include the evaluation of the advancement‐per‐cycle of the conjectured ascending device and the corresponding required driving forces.