Archaeoforum.de

Stone block transport in ancient Egypt
Here's a quick video of the potential use of wooden structures found in ancient Egypt to carry blocks of stone (and other loads). The use of the apparatus for which there is a clear find from ancient Egypt has been checked and assessed by me from a stonemasonry point of view for what I believe to be the most obvious use.
The actual effective use outside of a model test under real conditions would still have to be provided and proven [see sources].
The archaeological finds for ancient Egypt show numerous pieces of evidence for apparatus constructed from wood [Goyon 1990,138*], the purpose of which is still discussed today. The apparatus, which resembles a kind of see-saw, but somehow also resembles a sled with strongly curved running surfaces, is sometimes associated by Egyptology with the stone transport of the ancient Egyptians. This video shows - initially in a model experiment - that a stone transport (or load transport) with such equipment would actually be effectively possible from my point of view as a stonemason and stone sculptor.
My perspective on the use of the equipment in stone transport differs from the previously assumed possibilities of covering stone blocks with eight such devices in segments in order to make stone blocks rollable [see e.g. Winkler, 2001]. I consider this method to be rather improbable and much less obvious than the theory I have presented here due to the required material expenditure and the problem of the different stone block sizes that are used, for example, in the Cheops pyramid [see e.g. Goyon, 1990].

* Author's note on Goyon, 1990, p. 138 (Method for fitting stone blocks according to Clarke-Engelbach):
As an author, I do not share Clarke-Engelbach's theory of fitting stone blocks by resting them on sled-shaped wooden constructions; I see the main focus of such apparatuses as shown in Goyon S, 38 much more in stone transport.
I do not share Clarke-Engelbach's theory of fitting stone blocks by resting them on sled-shaped wooden constructions; I see the main focus of such apparatuses [as shown in Goyon, 1990, S, 38] much more in stone transport).

- For the theory as a whole, see also Graefe, 1998 [PDF 1] -

SOURCES:

books:
Goyon, G.: Die Cheopspyramide - Geheimnis und Geschichte; Weltbildverlag, Augsburg, 1990; S. 138

Youtube:
(Hinweis: Quelle nicht mehr existent)
Youtubechannel: Handwerkskunst_Handicraftarts
channel operator: me. Vinzenz Maria Hoppe
main page of the Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLy6gO ... BkjqTgOAiA
date and time of access: 02.09.2023; 13:17 MEZ
video source: https://youtu.be/Xx7fg8DHTMM?si=x4y13GJ9aLAWD1lb
video title: EXARAE (2023,1) : Transporting stone blocks effectively with ancient Egyptian equipment
date and time of access: 02.09.2023; 13:17 MEZ

(Hinweis: Quelle nicht mehr existent)
Youtubechannel: Handwerkskunst_Handicraftarts
channel operator: me. Vinzenz Maria Hoppe
main page of the Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLy6gO ... BkjqTgOAiA
date and time of access: 02.09.2023; 13:34 MEZ
video source: https://youtube.com/shorts/qIUOXvfcbDc? ... ejwQdUfR9N
EXARAE (2023,2) : Transporting stone blocks effectively with ancient Egyptian equipment
date and time of access: 02.09.2023; 18:34 MEZ

[PDF 1]
Graefe, Erhardt: Über die Determinanten des Pyramidenbaus bzw.: Wie haben die Alten
Ägypter die Pyramiden erbaut ?
[Manuskript aus dem Jahre 1998, das in der Festschrift für Burkart Kienast. Versammelt
von G. J. Selz (in: Alter Orient und Altes Testament 274, Münster 2003, ISBN 3-927120-
91-X) publiziert wurde.]
Institut für Ägyptologie und Kopotologie Münster (Westf.)
Universität Münster; Onlinepublikationen
Internetadresse zum Aufsatz: https://www.uni-muenster.de/imperia/md/ ... _v/pyr.pdf
Datum und Zeitpunkt des letzten Zugriffs: 13.01.2026; 16:32 MEZ
Hauptseite: https://www.uni-muenster.de/de/
Datum und Zeitpunkt des Zugriffs: 13.01.2026; 16:30 MEZ

Very interesting! It makes a lot of sense, provided the ground is not too soft! I use the same principle to move heavy furniture, it is very practical.

Yes, it's a simple method that, in principle, has probably been used for ages and should be known to almost anyone who's familiar with moving heavy loads; With the "seesaw" the method was taken to the extreme by the ancient Egyptians in terms of effectiveness, provided that the theory has no errors. The whole principle has affinities with cribs and a stumbling seaman's gang. I assume that there are still some interesting variations possible with the method - I will try them out soon. I have no idea why - to my knowledge - nobody has figured it out yet: there are the most curious theories about the wooden tools that have been found and attributed to ancient Egypt.

[Addendum: if the method can actually be confirmed with valid data, in my opinion it would be particularly well suited to transporting a large volume of rather small (and mainly bulky) blocks of stone. It should be mentioned here that the Cheopspyramid, for example, seems to consist largely of rather smaller, bulky blocks of stone and filling material.
For the overall topic see also this extremely interesting stone transport project in connection with the sculptures of Easter Island, which may have been quoted here somewhere in the forum:]
(German language source)

SOURCES:
[Note: Internet sources are by definition not link recommendations.]

Internetpages:
homepage: Archäologie Online
channel operator / creator: Archäologie Online
main page of the Youtube channel: https://www.archaeologie-online.de/
Date and time of access: 03.09.2023; 11:57 MEZ
page source: https://www.archaeologie-online.de/nach ... uren-2090/
page title: Osterinsel: Archäologen rekonstruieren Transport der monumentalen Moai-Figuren
Date and time of access: 03.09.2023; 05:30 MEZ

Youtube:
Youtubechannel: National Geographic
channel operator / creator: National Geographic
main page of the Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@NatGeo
Date and time of access: 03.09.2023; 11:53 MEZ
video source: https://youtu.be/YpNuh-J5IgE?si=eWsBSGscvBwxsWPR
video title: Scientists Make Easter Island Statue Walk
Date and time of access: 03.09.2023; 05:35 MEZ

Here is another small video (correction 14.01.2026: "photo") on the topic that deals with the transport of stone blocks according to the method presented here in a confined space.
The special thing about the variant shown here is the inclined lever rod, which would allow, for example, two workers on different levels (e.g. built-in stone block layers in a pyramid building) to operate the rocker slide with additional load.

- For the theory as a whole, see also Graefe, 1998 [PDF 1] -

[PDF 1]
Graefe, Erhardt: Über die Determinanten des Pyramidenbaus bzw.: Wie haben die Alten
Ägypter die Pyramiden erbaut ?
[Manuskript aus dem Jahre 1998, das in der Festschrift für Burkart Kienast. Versammelt
von G. J. Selz (in: Alter Orient und Altes Testament 274, Münster 2003, ISBN 3-927120-
91-X) publiziert wurde.]
Institut für Ägyptologie und Kopotologie Münster (Westf.)
Universität Münster; Onlinepublikationen
Internetadresse zum Aufsatz: https://www.uni-muenster.de/imperia/md/ ... _v/pyr.pdf
Datum und Zeitpunkt des letzten Zugriffs: 13.01.2026; 16:32 MEZ

- ES GILT DER NACHSTEHENDE HAFTUNGSAUSSCHLUSS / - THE FOLLOWING DISCLAIMER APPLIES / - LA CLAUSE DE NON-RESPONSABILITÉ SUIVANTE S'APPLIQUE -

[DEUTSCH:]
(Hinweis 14.01.2026: zitierte Videos sind nicht mehr existent)
Hier aktuelle Videos zu meiner Theorie des Transports von Lasten unter Verwendung von hier sog. 'Wippschlitten' (Modellversuch). In der Fachliteratur werden diese Apparaturen mit tasächlichem Nachweis bisher "Kippschlitten" genannt. [b1]
- - -
[ENGLISH:]
(Note 14.01.2026: cited videos no longer exist)
Here are current videos on my theory of transporting loads using what are known as 'rocker sledges' (model experiment). In the specialist literature, these devices are currently called "tilting sledges" with actual evidence. [b1]
- - -
[Français:]
(Note du 14/01/2026 : les vidéos citées n’existent plus)
Voici des vidéos actuelles sur ma théorie du transport de charges à l'aide de ce qu'on appelle des « traîneaux à bascule » (expérience modèle). Dans la littérature spécialisée, ces dispositifs sont actuellement connus sous le nom de « glissières basculantes » et ont fait leurs preuves. [b1]

HAFTUNGSAUSSCHLUSS / DISCLAIMER / CLAUSE DE NON-RESPONSABILITÉ:
[DEUTSCH:] Für jegliche Nachahmung der in den Videos gezeigten Transporttechnologien (als Theorie) gilt der Haftungsausschluss: von den besprochenen Transporttechnologien gehen schwerwiegende gesundheitliche Gefahren aus. Jegliche potenzielle Nachahmung ausschließlich auf eigenes Risiko und frei von jeglicher HAftung seitens des Veröffentlichers.
- - -
[ENGLISH:] The following disclaimer applies to any imitation of the transport technologies shown in the videos (as theory): the transport technologies discussed pose serious health risks. Any potential imitation is entirely at your own risk and free of any liability on the part of the publisher.
- - -
[Français:] Toute imitation des technologies de transport présentées dans les vidéos (à titre théorique) est soumise à une clause de non-responsabilité : les technologies de transport évoquées présentent de graves risques pour la santé. Toute imitation éventuelle se fait entièrement à vos propres risques et sans aucune responsabilité de la part de l'éditeur.

QUELLEN / SOURCES / SOURCES LITTÉRAIRES:
BÜCHER / BOOKS / LIVRES :
[b1]:
Goyon, Georges: Die Cheopspyramide - Geheimnis und Geschichte (Originaltitel: Le secret des batisseurs des grandes pyramides 'Kheops'); Weltbild Verlag, Augsburg, 1990.

INTERNET (http://WWW...):
YOUTUBE [yt]:
(Hinweis 14.01.2026: zitierte Videos sind nicht mehr existent)
(Note 14.01.2026: cited videos no longer exist)
(Note du 14/01/2026 : les vidéos citées n’existent plus)

Youtubechannel: Handwerkskunst_Handicraftarts
channel operator : me. Vinzenz Maria Hoppe
main page of the Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@VinzenzMariaHoppe
Date and time of access: 05.03.2025; 18:38 MEZ
[yt1:]
video source: https://youtube.com/shorts/UA2mwsFZ_h8? ... t1QJJ4ux-z
video title: Experimentelle Archäologie : Transport von Lasten im alten Ägypten mit Wippschlitten (Theorie) [1]
date and time of access: 05.03.2025; 18:41 MEZ
[yt2:]
Date and time of access: 05.03.2025; 18:38 MEZ
video source: https://youtube.com/shorts/mXrQDS4K5wY? ... Xc_IfOajVo
video title: Experimentelle Archäologie : Transport von Lasten im alten Ägypten mit Wippschlitten (Theorie) [1]
date and time of access: 05.03.2025; 18:52 MEZ
[yt3:]
video source: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/qkezpcHkVIw

[PDF 1]
Graefe, Erhardt: Über die Determinanten des Pyramidenbaus bzw.: Wie haben die Alten
Ägypter die Pyramiden erbaut ?
[Manuskript aus dem Jahre 1998, das in der Festschrift für Burkart Kienast. Versammelt
von G. J. Selz (in: Alter Orient und Altes Testament 274, Münster 2003, ISBN 3-927120-
91-X) publiziert wurde.]
Institut für Ägyptologie und Kopotologie Münster (Westf.)
Universität Münster; Onlinepublikationen
Internetadresse zum Aufsatz: https://www.uni-muenster.de/imperia/md/ ... _v/pyr.pdf
Datum und Zeitpunkt des letzten Zugriffs: 13.01.2026; 16:32 MEZ

video title: Experimentelle Archäologie : Transport von Lasten im alten Ägypten mit Wippschlitten (Theorie) [1]
date and time of access: 05.03.2025; 18:54 MEZ