The REM method's assumptions face serious geological and climate challenges. 23,000 years ago was the last glacial maximum — radically different conditions than today. The African humid period (~9,000–5,000 BC) turned the Sahara into lakes and grasslands, meaning rainfall, groundwater, and salt weathering have shifted dramatically across the Holocene. Limestone blocks cut meters apart vary in fossil content, chemistry, and hardness, so softer blocks can appear far older. Plus limestone erosion follows non-linear thresholds — a protective crust holds for centuries then fails suddenly. Add millions of visitors and stone robbing, and the erosion picture gets messy.
Geological and climate challenges undermine the REM method's assumptions
EgyptTheory
Key facts
- 23,000 years ago corresponds to the last glacial maximum, with radically different climate conditions
- The African humid period (~9,000-5,000 BC) transformed the Sahara into a landscape of lakes, grasslands, and hippos
- Changing rainfall, groundwater, and salt weathering would have altered limestone dissolution rates across the Holocene
- Limestone blocks cut meters apart can vary in fossil content, chemistry, and hardness, making softer blocks appear older
- Limestone weathering follows non-linear thresholds: a surface crust protects rock for centuries, then erosion accelerates suddenly
- Giza pavement has been affected by millions of visitors, cleaning, restoration campaigns, and centuries of stone robbing
Site mentioned
Sources
isac.uchicago.edu
Linked in video description
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Linked in video description
Paleoclimate over the Laurentide Ice Sheet - Polar Meteorology Grouppolarmet.osu.edu
During the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM), at the peak of the last glacial cycle approximately 21,000 years ago, the earth's climate was much cooler than today ...
Last Glacial Period - Wikipediaen.wikipedia.org
The last glacial period saw alternating episodes of glacier advance and retreat with the Last Glacial Maximum occurring between 26,000 and 20,000 years ago.
Last Glacial Maximum - an overview | ScienceDirect Topicssciencedirect.com
The Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) is defined … occurring approximately between 29,000 and 19,000 years ago,
How does present glacier extent and sea level compare to ... - USGS.govusgs.gov
The Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) occurred about 20,000 years ago, during the last phase of the Pleistocene epoch. At that time, global sea level was more than ...
Last glacial maximum | Definition, Characteristics, Map, & Factsbritannica.com
The Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) occurred approximately 29,000 to 19,000 years ago. During this period, ice sheets and glaciers reached their ...
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