Zahi "Zowie" Hawass also has claimed that the number of stones in the Great Pyramid (Khufu, a.k.a. Cheops) is more like 500,000, compared with 2.5 million which is commonly believed, or more than (I think it was) 4 million calculated by someone writing in KMT a few years ago. Hawass also claimed that the size of the stones is something like 1000 pounds each, instead of 2+ tons as is commonly thought.
The logistical problems of dragging 2 1/2 ton stones up sand ramps (one wrapped around the whole structure, or whatever), plus the stones which are much larger, plus the now-missing facing stones (stripped by some caliph during the Middle Ages) in the 20 year time frame attributed to its construction creates these kinds of problems.
In the Fall 2002 issue of KMT Anthony P. Sakovich showed his systematic approach to estimating the number of stones (some larger, some smaller) in the Khufu pyramid, arrived at a figure of 4 million, and Zahi's response was to say that Khufu's consisted of perhaps one million stones, and each was, on average, less than 2 tons each.Great Pyramid's Stones CountedA new study conducted by the Supreme Council for Antiquities in Egypt has determined that the Great Pyramid of Khufu at Giza consists of one million limestone rocks.
by Jennifer Viegas
Discovery News
December 2002
The number is under half of the previously estimated amount of 2.3 million stones, indicating that the Egyptian pyramid builders were even more organized and efficient than previously thought.
Zahi Hawass, secretary general of the Supreme Council, said that the Great Pyramid was considered to be a national project that all Egyptians took part in, according to an Egyptian State Information Service report last week. The report also mentioned that Hawass and his team analyzed the administrative organization and work scheme used in the construction of the 450-foot tall monument.