[ad_1]
(CNN) – Archaeologists have been wondering for centuries how the towering pyramids of Giza were built thousands of years ago. Now, the discovery of a sophisticated ramp system has allowed them to take a step closer to solving the mystery.
The remains of the 4,500-year-old ramp have been discovered in an alabaster quarry – of the same period – in the Egyptian desert by a team of researchers from the University of Liverpool, UK, and the French Institute of Oriental Archeology of Cairo.
Although the theory of a ramp system has already been developed, the findings of post-hole holes by the Anglo-French team suggest that heavy blocks of alabaster have been raised at an angle much steeper than we thought.
Ancient wonder
The remains of the ramp have been found by a team of Anglo-French researchers
Yannis Gourdon / Ifao / University of Liverpool
"With the help of a sled that carried a block of stone and was tied with ropes to these wooden posts, the ancient Egyptians were able to pull the quarry's alabaster blocks on Very steep slopes of 20% or more "Yannis Gourdon, of the French Institute for Oriental Archeology in Cairo, said in a statement.
The Giza pyramid, 139 meters high, was built about 4,500 years ago. It is the largest of the Giza pyramids, the oldest of the seven wonders of the ancient world and a major tourist attraction.
