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To: DennisR

Thanks, and yup, hence the need for water.

The ancient Egyptians didn’t use hydraulics to lift stones. Had they built something of that kind, it would have to be waterproof, integrated into the structure, be made of metal, and still be inside the pyramids.

And, it would be so slow that they’d still be working on them. :^)


14 posted on 07/28/2024 5:17:15 PM PDT by SunkenCiv (Putin should skip ahead to where he kills himself in the bunker.)
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To: SunkenCiv

The biggest problems to overcome when talking about ancient hydraulics revolve around maintaining pressure. You need tight, precise seals that hold under pressure and some way of routing the water that doesn’t succumb to pressure by expanding, leaking, fracturing, or otherwise bursting. At a minimum they would need metal tubing built to specific diameters and tolerances, seals that allow metal tubes to slide into one another without leaking, and waterproof hoses that don’t leak or burst (I suppose you could use metal tubes instead of hoses but you’d need all manner of seals between tube sections; it would be a nightmare). So we’re talking about the need for precise lathes for the metal tubing and the right materials for the seals, pistons, and hoses. I just don’t see the Egyptians or any ancient peoples having that technology.


15 posted on 07/28/2024 5:32:54 PM PDT by Windcatcher
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To: SunkenCiv
Float the stone blocks on a wooden raft, dig a ditch from the river leading to the site. Build a lock at the end of the ditch, with wooden sides up to the height you're working. Fill the lock up with water from the canal, using buckets until the blocks are up to the level you're working. Repeat the process with more stone blocks until they're all up there. For the next layer, build the lock up higher. Repeat until you're done.

Primitive, but I suppose it's possible. Easier than building a dirt ramp and dragging the blocks up to needed level? I dunno.

19 posted on 07/28/2024 6:10:55 PM PDT by ZOOKER
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