Pyramid Evolution - A New Perspective
The earliest pyramids of Egypt are the largest ever constructed, which seems counterintuitive to human development. Why would the pyramids suddenly shrink in size, only to become huge again centuries later?
This video studies the patterns found within pyramid construction, and provides a context for how their evolution can be made sensible.
Egyptology thinks of the ancient Egyptians as entirely devoted to the afterlife. But even humans four thousand years ago would have a tendency to prioritize their time among the living over any plans for an eternal afterlife.
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0:00 Intro
1:37 Djoser's 1st Stepped Pyramid
2:40 From Mastaba to Pyramid
4:04 Strong central government
5:03 Power vs. Piety
5:51 Nile River visibility
6:48 Diminishing returns
8:13 Pyramid temples grow
8:53 Elite influence
9:52 Speed & efficiency
10:31 Unfinished tombs
11:21 Pyramids vs mastabas
12:17 Large Middle Kingdom pyramids
13:32 Priorities of the living
Thanks everyone for your patience this month. Between COVID and surgery I lost my voice for quite a while, but things are looking up. Hope you enjoy this big-picture look at the pyramids.
we won't take you for granite
Stay healthy!
Pure Blood 4 Life^ Get better stay away from dat mRNA ;)
Just get that robot voice everyone else is using! Just kidding - glad to have you back :)
Great channel! If you haven't heard of Crichton EM Miller, I think you may be interested in his work. It blew my mind. Miller, imo, has shown in great detail how these ancient builders made their measurements so precise.
I think I learned more about the reality of pyramids and why ancient Egyptians built them in this short video than I have in 40 years of watching shows about them on Discovery and PBS.
Agreed.
I like this channel, but it contains a lot of speculation that's stated as fact. He's assuming every pyramid was an ego-driven burial tomb. We don't know that.
@@paulwal222 No ego-driven but politically-driven. And it makes total sense even if there isn't much evidence. Why would a king build those big monuments if not to cement their political power? We do similar things in modern times too, after all.
@@1idd0kun I like us speculating on that idea. We can also speculate that they were power plants or temples. But we shouldn't state any of it as fact because we don't know.
@@paulwal222 He wasn't stating it as fact. He made it clear it was his interpretation. Bu it makes sense considering the context in which those pyramids were built. That been said, I don't agree that it's the same as those "alternative" speculations that has no basis in reality. Power plan, really? Next you're gonna tell me aliens built them.
Glad you’re feeling better! Great content once again. Thank you. You often mention that casing stones and other construction elements of the pyramids were eventually hauled away by later generations for their use. It’d be cool to see an episode showing examples of where these stones ended up and what their use was especially if they can be ID’ed in structures which remain to this day.
I'm not sure that the Tura limestone can be traced after it is re-cut, sadly. But there's a much better chance with granite because it isn't homogeneous. German authors Rosemarie and Dietrich Klemm did a thorough study of the different types of granite in the quarries, but I'm not aware of any follow-ups that attempt to match loose stones with monuments.
Stumbled upon your channel a few months ago. What an absolute treat! Never clicked so fast on a notification before! Intriguing content and extremely well-put-together commentary! Thank you!
Get a grip fast.
a question for all : has there ever been, or at least planned to be, an even greater pyramid then Khoufu's Great Pyramid ???
It’s nice to hear an intelligent and objective interpretation of history. This is exactly what we need. Thank you
This is perhaps one of my favorite of your videos. The arguments presented in this episode are truly valid concepts, and deserve further serious consideration and reflection. Thank you so much for the impetus to query and study further.
Great work as always. I would love to see you do a definitive timeline of all the pyramids build dates as well as their deconstruction and any other pertinent details. I know it seems basic as a video idea, but I just think you would do a great job and the content would be informative. Egypt spans such a long time and there's down time between certain periods and it would be cool to see it all laid out factually up to the modern time. It's hard to place stuff like when the robber's tunnel was made and when the pyramids were quarried for their stones and how long that was after they were built. It could be a good reference for other content too.
Also tie in the quarry stones from Across the Red Sea transported by road through the desert.
Agreed, I wish to see a linear time line layout too.
Yes, agree. We are counting on you, History for Granite: " I would love to see you do a definitive timeline of all the pyramids build dates as well as their deconstruction and any other pertinent details."
Great idea, I would like to see that too
Agreed!!! Because I will definitely admit even after all the different videos I’ve watched on individual pyramids or brief time periods- I can’t picture an even remotely accurate timeline, timespans, how they tie in with Sphinx/other monuments, etc.. it would be great to see tied in as well: the outside world’s knowledge of Egypt and the pyramids, the internal knowledge of their own civilization and potential periods where knowledge was lost and why. But ya, there isn’t a video idea I’d like to see made more than the one you’ve suggested because it will give a greater return on investment to the viewers being able to better grasp every other video
Another excellent, well thought-through video. Your consistent, logical and intelligent approach to the subject really stands out.
Not enough aliens though 👽
Just found out about your channel. Your videos are incredibly informative and don't hold your hand when diving into serious Egyptology. Each of them feels like an academic paper put to video. I appreciate that they're aimed at those who are actually interested in Egyptology and aren't just basic, introductory and/or clickbait type videos. Also I really loved the new shots of the restored Step Pyramid. It looks so beautiful now. Ever since I first saw its pictures as a child I always wondered why archaeologists didn't clear away the sand from the steps. Of course the thing is so massive and so old that the restoration must have taken a large amount of time, care and resources - apparently it took them 14 years! This new footage now makes me want to go to Egypt and see these amazing structures in person. And thank you for making all these wonderful videos.
I have to say that you have the best views of the pyramids and temples than any other in the web. The clarity of the cinema is fantastic, and gives a pretty good idea of the area to those who have not visit Egypt yet. Please keep the good work!
I just came across your channel a couple of weeks ago. I stopped counting the number of documentaries about pyramids I've watched in the past 40+ years. Looking at the sheer number of your in depth analyzed and deducted points, arguments and theories I've never heard before blows my mind. I thought I knew a thing or two about pyramids, but Jesus. The overall quality of your videos is among if not the best I've ever seen. It's a crying shame that people of your outstanding qualities are widely ignored, if not ridiculed or even attacked by so called experts. In the past 20 years I've learned to despise main stream science and scientists for the better part in general. There are a lot of paradigm shifts waiting to happen and I think people like you are the future.
You’re very kind. I don’t expect to be right about everything but I believe I can push a dead line of inquiry forward. The pyramids are a mountain of evidence and it’s worth looking at them closely.
@@HistoryforGRANITE My old friend Spock would say: "His logic is sound !"
Another quality video. Always looking forward to the next post. Keep up the insightful and awesome work.
New to this channel and very excited to go through your content. But already I'm a big fan of your prominent visual of the succesions of the earliest pyramids, such a brilliant summary!
fascinating topic, so many pyramids I have already visited, many before me. ❤My next time in northern Egypt - I visit and film the pyramids of the Middle Kingdom ;) (Hawara, Dahshur....)✌️
You people are so lucky to get the chance to see all those ancient wonders ....wish I could go there one day 😂😂😂
Nice little run down on the development and timeline of pyramids HfG. Especially for those getting acquainted with the topic. Being a veteran of credible ancient history channels for many years I can tell you your channel already has the respect, and been mentioned by many of those. That speaks volumes for the quality of your content....peace to ya.
Hey Darren: I AGREE 👍!!! All The Best!!!
Completely enjoyed the video and your take on the historical / engineering aspect. Well done.
Glad you're feeling better,absolutely love your channel!!!
These are all, frankly, an instant must-watch. And I finally managed to work out the play on words with the channel name, so it's a win-win for me today 🤠👍
absolute best new channel on ancient architecture, phenomenal work brotha
Excellent analysis. A really practical look at pyramids and their place in the real world of the ancient kingdoms. In the end, the pharaohs and their hangers-on were not so different from the politicians and oligarchs of today.
Now this completes my day! Great to see this pop up in my notifications 😊
I watch your vid’s as they are always thoughtful and thought provoking.This one imho is possibly the best.I hope many Egyptologists consider your work - they should.
So nice to come online and find this gem! keep it up 👍🏼
I get so excited to see a new video! Great job!
Thank you for yet another thoughtful, thought provoking, and excellently presented video.
Love this stuff I can listen to your open and interesting discourse for hours
So many interesting observations so little time to discuss them. These videos are amazing. I think a time line, flow chart or a network analysis of the pyramid construction process would be a useful tool for the novice. Keep up the amazing videos!
Awesome job as always! I'm really happy for your channel growth, you absolutely deserve it man! Keep doing what you are doing, and you'll reach millions of subscribers :)
You've been such a big support since my first upload! I really appreciate it, and I always look forward to your comments.
@@HistoryforGRANITE Always a pleasure to support a fellow creator, and your content is top notch in all aspects! My youtube journey has been rough, and i know the struggle any new channel is experiencing, and i'm glad to see you are finding succsess so rapidly!
Loving your videos. Keep up the good work!
Thanks for another great video... All the best for you!
This video was informative and made more sense than any other Egypt "pyramid history" I've seen. Thank you for speaking your honest thoughts, not many creators do that.
Great stuff again! Will you do a video about the tooling they may used?
What a great video! Thank you! This theory would answer a lot of questions. So glad I subscribe. Good health to you!
I truly and immensely enjoy your channel and every single vid you create, thank you so much!
Well done on an informative channel. As creators of Ancient Egypt content we all have a choice of the path we take in presenting the information. I’m really glad to see that there are still sensible and logical creators out there who have opted for logic and fact rather than sensationalism and Conspiracy 👏
I always enjoy watching your videos. Very scientific and informative. Keep it up!
Great presentation, and excellent imagery. Thank you for your dedicated research and sardonic wit ;)
Dang. That is an amazing point of view. Really changes my opinions on the why. Thanks for sharing, always fantastic content.
Great analysis, and makes much more sense than simply being about their afterlife.
Your videos are so interesting. Great job!
Great video. Interesting perspective (as usual).
This video was very well reasoned and easy to follow.
Such high quality content, thank you!
Brilliant piece of work, thank you very much.
Great video. I love your vision and understanding on the Egyptians.
I’ve been binge watching your channel for the last two days makes me want to take a trip to Egypt!
A new angle on the dynastic Egypt. This is from one who have seen and heard everything 😉 Good stuff! Hope you feel better 😀
You do a great job describing processes and historical facts. Thank you. I am sure you know of Chris Naunton. His highly detailed, text-book style compliments your delivery and ideas. I value your work and hope you continue to produce your videos. Bravo!
I like your approach. History makes so much more sense when you look at the economics behind each major endeavor. The Valley of the Kings seems to demonstrate a great deal of concern for the afterlife given how much loot they stashed in each tomb.
I'm watching all your vids again. Great stuff.
I am very much enjoying your methodical and evidence based approach to studying the pyramids. Keep up the good work...
Really good stuff here. Great presentation too.
another amazing video. Even after countless hours of watching egypt videos I still learned new interesting things.
Great work. You deserve waaay more subs
Amazing video as allways !
Thanks for making new content.
Your content is amazing x
This is one of the best new channels on the pyramids
I think this is the single best video about eqyptian pyramids that I've ever seen.
Excellent. Very thought provoking.
really enjoying your channel!
Wish I had of found this channel before I toured Egypt. It’s exceptionally good content.
I love your content! I am totally in love with history
Watched to the end and thanks for a sane channel on actual Egyptian history. It is rapidly becoming one of my favorites!
Love your application of thought and reasoning, Egyptology is not alone being able to benefit from freedom of thought and review.
Genius! Really well presented!
Very well done and logical conclusions.
It's always great when you look back at the videos on one of your favourite KZhead channels and find the one video you missed 7 months ago 😁
Absolutely stunning content! Great to see channels like Ancient Architects, History For Granite, World Of Antiquity ... surpass all the pseudo history nonsense you see pop up way too often.
I agree. Really hoping Dr. Miano is able to grow a bigger following particularly.
Highly insulting. If these people actually had the answers there wouldn’t be tons of questions still unanswered. Anyone who denies there absolutely was a lost ancient world wide culture is a fool. The evidence is everywhere and overwhelming.
@@Stonecutter334 still waiting to see that 'evidence'. :-)
@@SteveHoutmeyers Careful Earthling! Your name is on the list! 😱😜🙄
@@Stonecutter334 "Anyone who denies there absolutely was a lost ancient world wide culture is a fool. The evidence is everywhere and overwhelming" Anyone who is incapable of actually looking up the evidence for themselves is just insulting the hard work of thousands of people vastly more dedicated to this pursuit than your armchair self raving behind a keyboard will ever be. For barely a middle class wage (or less for interns) they spend weeks in less than hospitable climes with minimal amenities spent bent over dusty trenches slowly scraping away dirt and cataloguing what they find in a long and labour intensive process that would make the likes of Erik von Danicken quit in a few days at most. Then you have the Hancock's of the world who travel 1st class to some ancient (pre excavated) sites and take a few photos/videos on a whirlwind tour before returning to their comfy richly appointed homes paid for by millions of books sold so that they can crank out a new book every year or 2 - such hard work, much trust 🤡 The body of evidence for the archaeologists perspective of multiple independently originated civilisations across the world (even in the Americas alone) is stacked as high as a mountain in paper, and worth millions of man hours of excavation, data sorting and analysis before being published to academic journals that are today FREELY available to the public within a year or less. Contrasted to the vague hand waving speculative style of people like Hancock who cherry pick out of context from the vast works of archaeology and use it to profit from ignorance of the average reader too intellectually incurious or lacking the time and energy to find out for themselves - all while making a mountain of cash from it. Between the hard working vocational types and the soft handed, lazy authors that merely profit richly from rehashing the formers work with a speculative angle I know which I trust.
Always a pleasure to watch your videos 😊 did not know that pyramids were built again after the sixth dynasty
very useful channel. thanks.
Convincing argumentation, thanks!
If I was a teacher and I was going to cover the pyramids I would definitely use some of your videos. I have learned so much from this channel
I found this channel very entertainiing: intriguing narration, interesting and educational content and logical approach that even teaches us how to test hypothesis. Only concern is that you only mentioned passages, chambers, granite boxes and anasng statues as if they were all imperfect, while majority of them show traces of engineering so high that we couldn't recreate them even now. Only in modern times did we create precise measuring tools by which we could measure that precision. I would like to see your oppinion on those artifacts.
This actually makes WAY more sense of Sneferu’s 3 pyramids. Good analysis.
There is a lot of fishiness going on with timelines in mainstream Egyptian history especially with the profound corruption of the Egyptian authorities intentionally steering the narrative, but this was an excellent and informative video. Thank you! I think the story of Djoser's pyramid is especially telling regarding what I think likely happened in actuality. European cathedrals were built over centuries (sometimes) with the expectation that those who started construction would never see them completed in their lifetimes. These many orders of magnitude larger structures I suspect were similar with much repurposing going on. As stone cannot be dated it makes timelines difficult to 'prove'.
It seems that pyramid and cathedral construction have similarity in the way they evolved . We know the histories of the European cathedrals and it seems that one building team , or parts of teams , would be employed to build another cathedral , take ing their knowledge and experience wither them . Over time Bishops would request larger and different aspects in their new cathedral designs . Sometimes a new idea would fail , sometimes new methods would work . This is probably what happened with the pyramid design evolution , with obvious differences due to the differing uses of the two types of building and thousands of years of building methodology ( not so much as we might have imagined ) .
Well there's plenty of evidence. Just depends on who you know I suppose but no the rocks aren't going to tell you anything in that sense. But common sense and logic suggests that the process of building pyramids did not "evolve" , it was discovered and then we much later , made poor attempts to re create it but were never remotely successful.
We couldn't cut those stones as precisely with lasers today, much less place them together. We honestly still may not even have the computing power to legitimately even design something to the same degree that the great pyramid is much less physically implement that design in 20 ton stone
@@Redbird10 "We honestly still may not even have the computing power to legitimately even design something to the same degree that the great pyramid is much less physically implement that design in 20 ton stone" You have vastly underestimated the efficiency of modern structural engineering simulations and the computational power to run them. JP Houdin and Dassault Systems modeled the Great Pyramid kings chamber to calculate the effect of the weight above pressing down on the granite ceiling beams combined with the 'relieving chambers' - the simulation matched almost exactly the cracking of the ceiling beams observed in the detailed photographs of the real kings chamber. This was over a decade ago now mind you - the rise of GPUs in modern datacenters and supercomputers has raised the bar to a whole new level since then. Also the pyramid was clearly not "designed" beyond the core sections and perhaps the exterior (harder to tell with the exterior as most of it is now missing sadly). By far the greatest volume of masonry is roughly cut limestone blocks of varying sizes from the Giza plateau that have been leveled out to fit requirements with a combination of limestone slag and building mortar to provide stability to the overall structure (stability/durability lacking in the mostly mud brick pyramids built later). The building mortar is also the most significant and abundant source we have for dating the pyramid construction.
great stuff. would like to hear your take on the timeline for building pyramids, something about it just doesn't add up - the sheer size & materials required vs the amount of manpower required vs limited time periods & logistics.
Really appreciate your objective outlook and the words you use to explain something so ancient. I feel that people get lost in their minds with grandiose ideas based upon limited observations and objective outlooks that history becomes greatly distorted. Your videos are easy to digest, full of deep observations and bing context to such deep past. If I could request another concept that I would love to see you create, it would be of the Sphinx. I feel that information being spread now is taking the structure out of context. However I will be excited to explore any other work that you choose to move forward with on this wonderful channel that you have created.
I have a feeling your request will come sooner than expected.
Flights of fancy are entertaining, but a real logical discussion o these pyramids is way more fulfilling. Well done!
Great stuff.
I’d love to see a chronology of the progression of Egyptian stone working/building technology. The biggest mystery is at the beginning … why the earliest stone cutting (grinding?) was the most sophisticated and in the hardest type stone. I suspect if accurate measurements of symmetry and precision flatness were made, then more clues would be found that prove special large tooling was used that held tight tolerances across large dimensions. The measured accuracy of symmetry across large granite faces might be so tight tolerance, it would not be noticeable to a viewer or artisan but would automatically be created from the tooling & setup (I.e. compelling evidence such tooling was used).
While there are plenty of mysteries, this is quite of a myth. The earliest work is by no means the best. In all cases evolution can be clearly seen from the beginning to the apogee (stone vessels, pyramids, sarcophagi, statues. obelisks, mummies etc.)
Thanks dude! I'm on backshift and it's 2am lunch LOL thanks for giving me the bestest lunch break all week :)
My pleasure!
As for the reasons for building, we know very well how the ziggurats were built in ancient Sumer - in a flat land it made sense to have a dominant and observatory as well. The observatory purpose somehow wasn't employed in Egypt, but in a flat land, they needed to show two mountains on each side of the Sphinx for their spiritual and religious tradition.
Sweet vid bro, thanks
Amazing thanks
Excellent insights.
Good commentry on an interesting angle.
very enjoyable.
this makes so much sense
Amazingly good content. This is what internet was invented for.
Awesome video
Cool, that makes perfect sense!
Great narration. Cant get enough. Thank you for providing a broad perspective of all pyramids in egypt. love your videos. If you found a multimedia person to make diagrams and visuals related to your narration, I'd have a hard time knowing I was on KZhead and not some nat geo documentary. OK I now see why there's a difference. lol. Point being, you are so precise in explanation but the video often seems B-roll random. i think you'd hit stride if your narration were matched visually.
OK you are making sense here. You have given me a different look at the culture of the pharaohs of the pyramids. I am listening. !
I'd love to see you do a video analysis of The Great Pit of Zawyet El Aryan.
Great vid
Mmm the burger to die for. Another great recipe thank you!!
Speculative for sure, but well reasoned and logical. Makes more sense than other theories I have read over the years. Naturally, we're unlikely ever to know for sure.
Thank you for making this channel. It’s exceptional quality. Everybody please like comment and share to help him.
That's good science. You recognize past good work and at the same time recognize the faults