More than 4,500 years after its construction, the Great Pyramid of Giza continues to baffle scientists. Built during the reign of Khufu, this monument consists of approximately 2.3 million stone pieces, some of which weigh several tons, all assembled with remarkable precision.
For decades, experts have debated how ancient workers achieved this without the need for cranes, steel, or modern tools. Now, a new study by Vicente Luis Rosell Roig, published in the journal Nature, offers a convincing explanation that blends engineering logic with archaeological evidence, suggesting a hidden construction method embedded within the pyramid itself.
How did the ancient Egyptians move huge stones to build the Great Pyramid?
At the heart of the research is a concept known as the Integrated Edge-Ramp (IER) system.
Instead of building massive ramps outside the pyramid, which would have required enormous amounts of materials and space, the study indicates that the ramp was built inside the structure itself.It is likely that the workers left intentional gaps along the outer layers of the pyramid. These gaps formed a rising path that allowed workers to move the stones upward as construction progressed. Once a section is completed, the gaps are filled in, leaving no visible trace of slope in the finished structure.
As Roig explains in the study, the goal was to test whether such a system could “achieve the documented rate of construction within the physical and technological constraints of the Old Kingdom.” In simple terms, the model questions whether the ancient Egyptians were realistically able to build the pyramid in this way using the tools they already had.The scale of the challenge is staggering. Each block had to be extracted, moved, lifted and placed with precision.
The new model suggests that workers used sleds, manpower, and carefully coordinated logistics to move stones along the inner slope system.Instead of raising the blocks vertically all at once, which was almost impossible, the spiral track allowed for a gradual rise. This reduced stress, distributed weight more efficiently, and kept the structure stable throughout construction.According to the simulation, blocks would have been placed every four to six minutes during peak construction.
When measured across the entire project, this rate makes completion of the pyramid within a few decades much more plausible than previously thought.
A 3D model showing a hidden spiral ramp used to move stones up the pyramid.
Why previous theories struggled
For many years, the dominant explanation involved large outlier slopes. However, these theories faced serious problems. A straight ramp long enough to reach the top of the pyramid would have been enormous, likely requiring more materials than the pyramid itself.Other proposals suggested internal ramps, but they often failed to explain how workers would manage tight turns or reach higher levels efficiently.Roig’s model stands out because it addresses multiple constraints simultaneously. They represent limited space, controllable material use, structural stability, and realistic construction speed. It is also consistent with what is known about ancient Egyptian tools and techniques.Archaeologists have long emphasized the ingenuity of ancient builders. As Egyptologist Mark Lehner noted in previous research, “The pyramids were not built by slaves or by mystery, but by skilled workers using intelligent organization and simple tools.”
The clues are hidden in the pyramid itself
One of the most interesting aspects of the theory is how it explains physical features that have puzzled researchers for years. Some of the gaps, irregularities and wear patterns inside the pyramid may not be defects at all, but are leftovers from the construction process.The study suggests that areas showing signs of heavy use could be paths for transporting materials, while discrepancies in stone placement may reflect sections that were later filled in after serving as slopes.These details provide indirect support for the idea that the method of construction of the pyramid was deliberately concealed as part of its final design.
Was it really possible for it to be built so quickly?
The timeline has always been a major discussion point. Historical estimates indicate that the pyramid was completed in about 20 to 30 years. Critics have often wondered whether it was possible to complete such a massive project so quickly.However, the new model supports this time frame. By combining consistent access to slopes with efficient work organization, the study shows that the pace of construction can realistically match historical records.When quarrying, transportation, and workforce logistics are included, the schedule still falls within the acceptable range, enhancing the credibility of the theory.
What scientists still do not agree on
Despite its strengths, the integral edge-slope theory is not universally accepted. Archeology rarely provides definitive answers, and much of the evidence remains indirect.Some researchers point out that no fully preserved inner slope has been directly observed.
Others believe that multiple methods may have been used during the different stages of construction.As with many ancient mysteries, the truth may lie in a combination of techniques rather than a single solution.
A human achievement, not a mystery
What this research ultimately reinforces is that the builders of the Great Pyramid of Giza did not rely on lost technology or supernatural assistance. Instead, they used ingenuity, planning, and an advanced understanding of materials and labor.The idea of building the ramp inside the pyramid itself reframes the entire construction process. It suggests that what looks like a perfect, seamless monument is actually the result of a carefully hidden system that made the impossible possible.Even today, the pyramid remains a reminder that ancient engineering was much more complex than we often assume.