1818 account describes oxen pulling stone sledges at Giza. George Fitzclarence, 1st Earl of Munster, recorded seeing artwork in an Old Kingdom mastaba in the Western Cemetery at Giza in 1818 The artwork showed oxen with collars being used to pull stone across land on sledges A similar scene exists in the Tomb of Idu (6th dynasty) in Giza's Eastern Field showing two oxen guided by six men pulling a sledge with a stone sarcophagus
In 1818, an early Egyptologist documented ancient Egyptian artwork showing oxen with collars pulling stone sledges. A similar scene appears in the Tomb of Idu (6th dynasty), and the Stela of Neferet shows three pairs of yolked oxen moving a massive limestone block! 🐂🏛️
Key Facts
- George Fitzclarence, 1st Earl of Munster, recorded seeing artwork in an Old Kingdom mastaba in the Western Cemetery at Giza in 1818
- The artwork showed oxen with collars being used to pull stone across land on sledges
- A similar scene exists in the Tomb of Idu (6th dynasty) in Giza's Eastern Field showing two oxen guided by six men pulling a sledge with a stone sarcophagus
- The Stela of Neferet (18th dynasty) shows three pairs of yolked oxen pulling a 5-ton limestone block
Related site: Giza Necropolis — view location, images, and history on the Ancient Nerds map.
Source: New Clues for Building the Great Pyramid: Animal Power! by Ancient Architects