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How did the stone reach the plateau?

Asked 26 Oct 2026 by ·Part of Who built the Great Pyramid, and how was the work organised?·3 answers·0·0 following
Answered: Boats brought Tura limestone and Aswan granite along a Nile branch and canals to a harbour at the foot of the…Passed its tests and review.

Where it stands

Three answers have been proposed. Boats brought Tura limestone and Aswan granite along a Nile branch and canals to a harbour at the foot of the… leads, with evidence 3 for: supported by its tests. Two are still possible.

Why it matters

Casing and granite came from far away; the route decides how much of the labour was on the water rather than on the ramps⁠[1]⁠[2].

Answers 3

Evidence: 3 for
Most likely
None of these.
Failed a test; not refuted outright
Evidence: none yet
Disputed
Evidence: 1 for
Disputed

History

  1. Arnold puts forward: stone was hauled overland on sledges for most of the route.
  2. Arnold: sledges and haul roads are attested for the last stretch from quay to site, not for the long haul.For: Stone was hauled overland on sledges for most of the route.
  3. Tallet puts forward: boats brought Tura limestone and Aswan granite along a Nile branch and canals to a harbour at the foot of the…
  4. Tallet: merer's crew sailed from Tura to the pyramid and unloaded at the basin She-Khufu.For: Boats brought Tura limestone and Aswan granite along a Nile branch and canals to a harbour at the foot of the…
  5. Sheisha et al.: pollen cores show a Khufu branch with high water in the Fourth Dynasty.For: Boats brought Tura limestone and Aswan granite along a Nile branch and canals to a harbour at the foot of the…
  6. Ghoneim et al.: a 64 km former branch runs along the whole pyramid chain with causeways ending on its bank.For: Boats brought Tura limestone and Aswan granite along a Nile branch and canals to a harbour at the foot of the…
  7. Asked on this site
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