Feasibility study: oxen could pull 2.5-ton pyramid blocks. Average limestone block in Great Pyramid weighs 2.5 tons A single trained ox can pull 1 to 2.5 tons depending on terrain and training A pair of yolked oxen can pull 6 to 7.5 tons
A pair of yolked oxen can pull 6-7.5 tons—enough to move the average 2.5-ton pyramid block. Müller-Römer's research supports this, noting ramps had 7-8° slopes 🐂🏛️
Key facts claimed:
- Average limestone block in Great Pyramid weighs 2.5 tons
- A single trained ox can pull 1 to 2.5 tons depending on terrain and training
- A pair of yolked oxen can pull 6 to 7.5 tons
- Researcher Müller-Römer's 2017 paper acknowledges oxen use and states transport ramps had 7-8° slope
- Archaeological evidence shows 4,000 lb of meat from cattle, sheep and goats were consumed daily at Giza during pyramid construction
Key Facts
- Average limestone block in Great Pyramid weighs 2.5 tons
- A single trained ox can pull 1 to 2.5 tons depending on terrain and training
- A pair of yolked oxen can pull 6 to 7.5 tons
- Expert Frank Mueller Roma's 2017 paper acknowledges oxen use and states transport ramps had 7-8 degree slope
- Archaeological evidence shows 4,000 lb of meat from cattle, sheep and goats were consumed daily at Giza during pyramid construction
- Oxen were already used in Old Kingdom agriculture (plowing) and would have been trained for pulling work
- Granite blocks from Aswan weighed 40-50 tons on average, requiring multiple oxen teams
Related site: Great Pyramid of Giza — view location, images, and history on the Ancient Nerds map.
Source: New Clues for Building the Great Pyramid: Animal Power! by Ancient Architects