Chapter 1
The physics of moving mountains
Chapter 2
The great ramp debate
Chapter 3
Aligning with the stars
Chapter 4
The water-powered elevator at Saqqara
Chapter 5
Pyramids around the world
Ch 5 · Pyramids around the world
007skaty The Volcanic Tuff of Caral
They packed volcanic tuff in woven reed bags, So even when it shakes the temple never sags.
007skaty Around 200 CE, workers held one million cubic meters of loose dirt together using retaining walls covered in volcanic basalt
BETA
007skaty Stack stone blocks with ancient tools to learn how the Great Pyramids were engineered.
Fun Fact
Earthquake-proof grass bags: Peru's 5,000-year-old Caral pyramids used woven plant bags filled with river rocks to act as shock absorbers during massive seismic events.
Quiz
Why did the ancient builders of Caral pack stone-filled grass bags into the core of their pyramids?
Quiz
Which famous Chinese ruler's tomb is housed inside a giant rammed-earth pyramid mound near Xi'an?
Quiz
In which modern African country are the steep-angled Nubian pyramids of Meroë located?
Quiz
What is the name of the counterweighted lever device used by Nubian builders to lift blocks up their steep pyramids?
Quiz
What is the Chinese term for the 'rammed earth' construction technique used to build ancient Chinese pyramid mounds?
Quiz
What primary material makes up the massive core of the Pyramid of the Sun at Teotihuacan?