Construction Theories of the Giza Pyramids - Essay Example

Theories of aliens having built the pyramids at Giza are far-fetched and have not been proven to date. These theories are sometimes advanced by well-known archaeologists like Abdel Gallad, but their theories often are based on conjectures and guesses that are unable to stand the test of rigorous academic work by other historians (Todd, 1993). They are often inspired by the sensational nature of research that surrounds the pyramids and the conspiracy theories that surround them, accompanied by talk of the power of the dead pharaoh, which has been well-documented in popular culture through films and stories.

There are, however, theories that talk of the creation of the pyramids by human hands. Prominent among these is the theory that is put forward by Joseph Davidovits and Margie Morris, who talks of how the very idea of huge rocks having been hauled up could be wrong. They discuss the possibility of slurry being carried up to the heights of the pyramid and then poured into parts of it where it would solidify into the desirable shape. This theory tries to address the difficulty of lifting rocks to the incredible heights that the pyramids were constructed (Morris, 1988).

Andrzej Bochnacki proposes another theory that tries to explain the mystery of the pyramids. While he attributes the fascination that the modern age has with the pyramids to the cultural differences and the mystery surrounding the purpose of the pyramids, the manner of construction is something that he attributes to the presence of the Nile. According to Bochnacki, the flooding of the Nile offered the Egyptians the opportunity to raise stones on papyrus boats and take them to the high altitudes where the pyramids were constructed (Bochnacki). This theory has not managed to impress a lot of historians since the time that was required to construct a pyramid was usually much more than what the narrow bracket in which the flooding occurred would allow. This theory has met with much resistance, as a result of this reason.

There are reasons to believe the theories that are advanced by Morris and Davidovits are the ones that explain the construction of the pyramids the best. They can explain how the pyramids were constructed without rocks having to be lifted to great heights, something that was not possible during the time of the Pharaohs. They are also able to successfully provide an alternate theory that ties in with the needs of the construction of the pyramids, including the time that is required to complete the construction of the pyramids. This theory is thus the most effective one in explaining the manner of the construction of the pyramids.