Jean-Pierre Houdin spent a couÂple of decades workÂing as an indeÂpenÂdent archiÂtect around Paris. Then, his career took a big turn. WorkÂing with his father, Houdin tried to crack an ancient mysÂtery — how were the great pyraÂmids of Egypt built?
ThroughÂout the cenÂturies, varÂiÂous theÂoÂries have been put forth. Herodotus, who visÂitÂed Egypt around 450 B.C., specÂuÂlatÂed that some “machines” were involved. OthÂers thought that mounds servÂing as ramps played a cenÂtral role in the conÂstrucÂtion. And still othÂers have guessed that extraterÂresÂtriÂals were the real builders (seriÂousÂly).
Now Houdin enters into the debate with what EgypÂtolÂoÂgist Bob Brier calls a “radÂiÂcal new theÂoÂry.” Using state-of-the-art 3‑D softÂware, Houdin has conÂcludÂed that the botÂtom porÂtion of the pyraÂmids were built with an exterÂnal ramp, and the upper porÂtions with interÂnal ramps. Brier sumÂmaÂrizes the theÂoÂry rather well in this short artiÂcle.
HoudÂin’s work has focused parÂticÂuÂlarÂly on the Great PyraÂmid of Giza, othÂerÂwise known as the PyraÂmid of KhuÂfu, built cirÂca 2500 B.C. (See image here). And he has gone so far as to creÂate a 3D interÂacÂtive film that visuÂalÂly docÂuÂments his hypothÂeÂsis. We’ve embedÂded a good clip above. You can also head to KhuÂfu Reborn to get the full interÂacÂtive expeÂriÂence. (Note: You’ll need a PC, 3D glassÂes and some downÂloadÂable pluÂgÂins to make it all work.)
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