I can’t think of a reason why that would not work, but the turning mechanism in Jean-Pierre’s theory would be quicker. The sleds would only have to be lifted just enough to clear the floor, a few inches, spun 90 degrees, and then off to the next section.

Transferring the blocks from sled to sled would take a bit more time, be more labor intensive, and would increase the chances of damage to the blocks and injury to the workers, all of which would “stop the train” so to speak.

But I like the way your critical faculties work! Please keep contributing!

–Keith

The short answer is: Yes!! and Yes!!

You are spot on with your thinking. I will be getting into the details of how the sleds were turned at the corners when I get into Phase Three, which deals with the completion of the pyramid after the building of the King’s Chamber and the internal ramp. But in a nutshell (according to Jean-Pierre Houdin’s theory), the internal ramp moves up the pyramid in straight sections just a couple of meters inside the layer of facing stones. The corners are open niches where exactly the kind of machine you describe lifted the sleds and truned them to face the next stretch of ramp. I will get into the full details of this when I get to the next Phase.

Regarding the counterweight, that is exactly what I am writing about at this very moment (or will be when I finish responding to your very astute observations!). Again, in a nutshell, the counterwight you describe was (again, according to Jean-Pierre) housed in the Grand Gallery. There is evidence, both circumstantial and forensic, to support his theory, which I will detail in the current article.

Please keep reading the series! I think you will find much to enjoy and provoke thought. Also, Jean-Pierre will be revealing the huge update he has been doing to his theory over the last few years on January 27, 2011, in Paris, and I have just confirmed that I will be there to cover it in person!

2011 will be the year of Khufu and the Great Pyramid. But again, to both of your propositions, yes, and YES!

Thank you so much for reading and contributing.
–Keith

Also, it occurs to me that counter weights might have added pulling power if they were attached to the front of the sled and hung over the face of the pyramid. I don’t really know if the ropes of the time would do the job, but clearly there was something; or else humans couldn’t have pulled the stones in the first place.

I thank you for posting on this theory in several series. As these articles are short ( in parts), it would be easy for many people to read it when they have free time. Also it would help all to put their views immediately on different topics posted in each series, and would minimize the problem of the reader and writer to navigate on the subject of the comment.

Thank you and keep posting, waiting for the next parts of this series.

This is a really amazing response I am getting, and yes, I would love to see this series translated into French and Italian! I will contact you via email so we can work out the details!

And thanks again to all our readers, particularly those who have taken time to comment and provide input.

As for our growing team of translators, I am speechless, which requires no translation!

It would be an honor to have my writings translated for another audience, especially as this will bring more attention to Jean-Pierre and his work! At the bottom of the first column of the sidebar is the link to contact me via email, so drop me a note letting me know how I can help and we will work out the details there!