[Balero]

Thanks for the additional info.

> There are some granite blocks that weigh over 1000 tons. We’re told that these were transported from hundreds of miles away, across mountain and over a river. Historians are not engineers so they don’t understand what they’re saying.

I am still unsure which ancient blocks you're referencing though. Stonehenge? Could you link to them, or a picture, or where in the world they are so I can google it?

This is the closest I could find: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/largest-manmade-bl... but this one was not moved because it was too big (and is also limestone which i'm pretty sure is sedimentary)

[miika]

There is the fallen Ramses statue that is 1000 ton. Supposedly moved 500 miles across desert couple of thousand years ago.

There is this story about moving 80 ton statue, even this wasn’t a small task for modern people.

https://www.lonelyplanet.com/news/ramses-ii-grand-egyptian-m...

Unfinished Obelisk is 1500 tons but it’s still in the quarry, I wonder how they planned to even lift it up

[miika]

I asked from ChatGTP how many people would be required to lift 1000 ton block (if we consider slaves).

“It would require approximately 19,753 people to lift a 1000-ton granite boulder, given the assumptions made regarding average lift capacity and efficiency factors. This is a theoretical estimate and assumes perfect conditions where all individuals can contribute equally and simultaneously, which may not be feasible in reality due to the physical space required and coordination challenges.

1. *Weight of the Boulder*: 1000 tons (US tons) = 2,000,000 pounds (lbs) since 1 ton = 2,000 lbs.

2. *Average Lift Capacity per Person*: The average untrained adult can safely lift about 135 pounds (deadlift, which is a reasonable approximation for lifting something off the ground) without training. However, for trained individuals, this number can be significantly higher. Let's use the untrained capacity for a conservative estimate.

3. *Safety and Efficiency Factors*: When lifting heavy objects, especially with many people, not everyone will be able to lift their maximum capacity due to the awkward shape of the object, grip issues, coordination, and safety concerns. Thus, we might apply a safety factor to ensure we're considering a realistic scenario. Let's assume 75% efficiency to account for these factors.”

But you can’t fit that many people under the rock. If you wanted to use chains to help lifting it would require something better than wine ropes. Even chain made from copper wouldn’t hold it.

That fallen Ramses statue is rose granite.

Another mystery is how this statue was created. Because it’s so symmetrical and smooth we would have to use machinery in order to do it.

[Balero]

Thanks for the update.

A quick look around I found this site: http://www.catchpenny.org/movebig.html that suggests ways it was moved.

Quick TLDR. They don't lift it, they dig under it. Either constructing a canal, and putting a weighted barge beneath it. Then remove the ballast so the barge lifts up the weight. For overland they do a similar thing, but with a sled, pour a lubricant under the sliders, and then pull. Apparently 2 people can pull 1 Ton this way. So 500 people pulling the sled. (They had approx 2000 people working on a similar project) Also they used shallow ramps over long distances to raise it up.

There was also a modern thing when they moved a lighthouse.

The 80 ton statue was difficult because they wanted to do it with minimal people, and with minimal disruption, and quickly. If you had 2000 people working 5 days a week, 3 years to do it in, and the legal ability to dig up the road/canal etc it can be done. The amazing thing to me is how much priority Ancient Egyptians gave building these monuments, seems like the most important thing they were doing. I guess it gets easier to deal with planning permission when your absolute ruler says "Do it".