How to Build a Pyramid
Most people stand in awe of the great pyramids. These pyramids were built in such a remarkable way that they still invite speculation from today’s scholars. Building a pyramid the size of the Giza pyramids may be unrealistic, but a smaller one is possible.
Required Materials
- sand
- plastic sheeting
- milk crates
- wire
- stock strapping
- nails or staples
Required Tools
- shovel/bobcat
- wire snips
- tape measure
- pencil/paper
- surveying set-up
- vibrator
- knife
- hammer or staple gun
Instructions
- Foundation and Grading - Considering the large weight that is about to be constructed on the land, a solid foundation is needed. The ground under the pyramid needs to be as level and as compacted as possible. Use a surveying set-up and a vibrator to level and compact the soil beneath the pyramid. If the pyramid is to be permanent, lay a foundation of concrete and rebar. Make sure the foundation pad is level.
- Grading - As you lay out the site for the pyramid, look at the surrounding landscape. It will need to be graded flat or away from the pyramid. From a scale perspective, be sure to consider a wider amount of land in this task. Although unrealistic for this purpose, consider that a pyramid that occupies 15 acres of land needs 135 acres of grading to achieve a proper perspective.
- Laying Out the Cubes - Lay out the four corners of the pyramid. Each side should be in even multiples of a 1×1x1 cube. Multiples of four will work best.
- Filling the Cubes - Lay a section of plastic wrap over the cube. Push into the cube making the corners tight. Cut slices at regular intervals into the plastic sheeting for drainage. Fill one cube at a time with sand. You can fill multiple cubes at a time, but this is less like the original pulling of stones for the original pyramids.
- Placing the Cubes - If you are following the construction of the original pyramids relatively closely, place each cube individually to make a first layer. Allow a space inside the layout for a tomb chamber. As levels are added, maintain the size of the chamber and passageways into it from the exterior. Make sure the layer of cubes is level. Adjust any cube that is out of alignment. This is a critical element, as an improperly aligned cube will magnify the problem with each following layer. Wire the cubes together for safety.
- Adding Layers - Begin each of the following layers ½ cube in from the preceding layer. If you care to feel almost like laborers, do this by hand and one-at-a-time. There are many theories about how the Egyptians accomplished this task. One method is to construct a ramp of sand around the first layer before laying out the next. Repeat as you go up. You may want to chain the cubes to a bobcat for lifting.
- Constructing the Facing - Once you have completed the cube pyramid, construct 45-degree triangles of strapping to fit at the ends and middles of the layers. The triangles should be flush with the edges of the cubes. Wire to the cubes. Cut and nail/staple thin sheets of plywood to cover the pyramid cubes. Paint the pyramid to please the Pharaoh.