New engineering research published in npj Heritage Science and Nature in April 2026 provides fresh perspectives on how the Great Pyramid of Giza was constructed without advanced technology. Using sophisticated 3D computational algorithms, researchers from the Polytechnic University of Valencia tested the viability of ramps embedded within the edges of the pyramid structure, concluding that such a system could allow completion within a 20-year timeframe.
Simultaneously, a separate study suggests that the Grand Gallery functioned as a massive counterweight ramp. According to this model, heavy granite blocks were hoisted using a system of ropes and sliding weights, multiplying the force available to the builders. These data-driven models provide a mechanical explanation for how 60-ton blocks were positioned at heights exceeding 70 meters, relying solely on the tools available 4,500 years ago.