Saving the Pyramids: Twenty First Century Engineering and Egypt’s Ancient Monuments

By Peter James

Having worked on projects around the world, strengthening and restoring historically significant structures from Windsor Castle to the parliament buildings in Canada, Peter James brings insight to the structural engineering of ancient Egypt. After fourteen years working on the historic buildings and temples of Egypt, and most recently the world’s oldest pyramid, he now presents some of the more common theories surrounding the ‘collapsing’ pyramid – along with new and innovative projections on the construction of the pyramids and the restoration of some of Cairo’s most monumental structures from the brink of ruin. The decoding of historic construction from a builder’s perspective is examined and explained – at times against many existing theories – and the book provides a new outlook on long-held assumptions, to embrace modern theories in a bid to preserve the past.

• Language: English
• Publisher: University of Wales Press
• Release date: Apr 12, 2018
• ISBN: 9781786832528

Peter James

Peter James is a UK No.1 bestselling author, best known for his Detective Superintendent Roy Grace series, now a hit ITV drama starring John Simm as the troubled Brighton copper. Much loved by crime and thriller fans for his fast-paced page-turners full of unexpected plot twists, sinister characters, and accurate portrayal of modern day policing, he has won over 40 awards for his work including the WHSmith Best Crime Author of All Time Award and Crime Writers’ Association Diamond Dagger. To date, Peter has written an impressive total of 19 Sunday Times No. 1s, sold over 21 million copies worldwide and been translated into 38 languages. His books are also often adapted for the stage – the most recent being Looking Good Dead.

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SAVING THE PYRAMIDS

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SAVING the

PYRAMIDS

Twenty-first-century Engineering and Egypt’s Ancient Monuments

PETER JAMES

UNIVERSITY OF WALES PRESS

2018

© Peter James, 2018

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any material form (including photocopying or storing it in any medium by electronic means and whether or not transiently or incidentally to some other use of this publication) without the written permission of the copyright owner. Applications for the copyright owner’s written permission to reproduce any part of this publication should be addressed to the University of Wales Press, 10 Columbus Walk, Brigantine Place, Cardiff CF10 4UP.

www.uwp.co.uk

British Library CIP Data

A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library

ISBN 978-1-78683-250-4

eISBN 978-1-78683-252-8

The right of Peter James to be identified as author of this work has been asserted in accordance with sections 77 and 79 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

The publisher has no responsibility for the persistence or accuracy of URLs for any external or third-party internet websites referred to in this book, and does not guarantee that any content on such websites is, or will remain, accurate or appropriate.

Cover design: Olwen Fowler

Cover image: The Step Pyramid of Djoser, Saqqara. Stock Connection Blue / Alamy Stock Photo.

CONTENTS

List of Illustrations

Introduction: The Early Years

1    Tools of the Trade

2  Restoring Historic Cairo

3  Saving the Temple of Hibis

4  The Red Pyramid

5  How the Pyramids were Built, their Rise and Fall

6  The Step Pyramid

Bibliography

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

page

ii–iii  The Giza Pyramids; photograph by Ricardo Liberato, https://www.flickr.com/photos/51035655291@N01/171610084.

x        The Great Pyramid of Giza; photograph by Jerome Bon, https://www.flickr.com/photos/91241612@N00/2427492641.

1        The Giza Pyramids of Khufu, Khaefre and Menkaure.

2        The Great Pyramid of Khufu photographed from the Mena House at Giza.

6        The tell-tale horizontal cracking in the external rendering indicating wall-tie corrosion.

6        Corroded wall-ties in an advanced state of corrosion.

6        Cavity wall construction built to prevent moisture entering the dwellings.

7        The first use of the sock technology to overcome the problem of fixing new facades to hollow-pot construction.

8        Some typical bespoke remedial applications used in stabilisation and repairs.

9        Comparison of a Cintec anchor with a concrete lintel.

10        Illustration and sections through the Cintec vacuum System.

11        The use of end-plates to create a cone of compression at the ends of the anchor assemblies.

12        Connectors and spacers cused on long anchor applications.

12        Illustration of how, by using a larger drilled hole, a greater loading may be achieved in soft and friable substrates.

13        Testing at Bath University for project Niker 7.

14        Energy absorbing dissipative seismic device.

16        Under-reaming to increase grout-sock bond capacity.

17        Smart anchors to be installed at the point of failure in the Bent Pyramid.

18/21   David Roberts, Bazaar of the Silk Mercers in Cairo, colour lithograph c.1848, Wellcome Library, London; http://wellcomeimages.org/indexplus/image/L0021542.html.

20        Damaged interface and arches at Al-Ghuri Mosque.

21        External view of Al-Ghuri Mosque from the main road.

21        The Madrasa and Kangah of the Sultan Al-Ghuri; photograph JMCC1.

22        General internal and external views at Al-Ghuri.

22        David Roberts, Interior of the Mosque of Sultan Al-Ghuri, Cairo, colour lithograph c.1849, Welcome Library, London; http://wellcomeimages.org/indexplus/image/L0021563.html.

23        Marking out, and diamond drilling at Al-Ghuri.

23        Original sketches marked up to show the position of the new anchor arrangements to consolidate the walls.

24        Cracking pattern on the main body of the minaret with Lime tell-tales to measure further movement.

25        Discrete element animations used to calculate the repair philosophies and anchor positions required.

26        Timber support work to the facade of a maqaad prior to the commencement of work.

27        Temporary steel bracing to secure walls out of alignment.

27        Temporary timber support work to defective arches.

27        Typical evidence of seismic cracking.

28–30   Damage caused by the 1992 earthquake, and subsequent installation of anchors in various structures.

31        Interior of Al-Ghuri Mosque before seismic damage; photograph Sailko.

32        Minaret of Al-Ghuri Mosque; photograph Sailko.

33        Typical damage to the interior of a maqaad.

33        Installation of an anchor at high level.

34        Interior of As-Silahdar after completion of the strengthening work.

34        As-Saifi after completion of the strengthening work.

35        Exteriors near Bestaq Maqaad and at As-Sarghitmish Mosque after completion of the strengthening work.

36/45   Pharaoh Namur depicted on internal wall at the Temple of Hibis, photograph NYU Excavations at Amheida; https://www.flickr.com/photos/34561917@N04/4751528839/

37        Elevation of the Temple of Hibis in the Kharga Oasis of the Western Desert.

38        Sketches of the temple based on the original publication by Herbert Winlock of the Metropolitan Museum, New York.

39        Temporary timber supports to various elevations at Temple Hibis.

40        Damage due to differential ground movement and the attempts to reposition the entrance porch.

43        Plan of temple Hibis showing anchor positions.

44        Depiction of the ‘sema-tawy’ ritual.

46        Palmiform columns at the Temple of Hibis, photograph by Hanne Siegmeier; http://www.flickr.com/photos/manna4u/3065142823/

48        The distressed condition of the temple prior to renovation work.

49        Excavating the 16-metre-deep slot to the perimeter of the Temple and a section through the prosed barrier to prevent incursion of water.

51        Careful installation of anchors avoiding hieroglyphs and wall decorations at the Temple of Hibis, including image of relief carving, photograph by Roland Unger; https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:HibisGate3Dareios1AmunRaMut.jpg.

52        Front elevation of Temple Hibis after the successful installation of the Cintec anchors with the temporary scaffolding removed, photograph ASartan; https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Temple_of_Hibis.jpg.

53        Making good the drilled hole to match the original substrate.

54/58   Red Pyramid elevation, photograph Ivrienen; https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Snofrus_Red_Pyramid_in_Dahshur_(2).jpg.

56        Elevation of the Red or North Pyramid, photograph jokertrekker; http://www.panoramio.com/photo/61834791.

57        Entrance to the Red Pyramid, photograph Sailko; https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Piramide_rossa_di_snefru,_dahshur,_2600_ac._04_ingresso.jpg.

59        Inside the Red Pyramid showing corbels, photograph jokertrekker; http://www.panoramio.com/photo/61834791.

60        The Giza Pyramids, photograph by Mstyslav Chernov; https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Great_Pyramid_of_Giza_(Khufu%E2%80%99s_pyramid),_Pyramid_of_Khafre,_Pyramid_of_Menkaure_(right_to_left)._Giza,_Cairo,_Egypt,_North_Africa.jpg.

62        The Step Pyramid of Djoser, Saqqara, before stabilisation, photograph by Mariam Mohamed Kamal; https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:The_Stepped_Pyramid_of_Djoser_at_Saqqara_2.jpg.

64        A view from the top of the Step Pyramid.

64        Elevation of the Step Pyramid showing traditional timber scaffolding.

67        Corbels.

68        External elevation of the Meidum Pyramid, photograph Kurohito; https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Meidoum038.jpg.

69        Section through Meidum Pyramid showing accretions.

70        Corbelling inside the Meidum Pyramid; https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Meidum_Pyramide_zentrale_Kammer.jpg.

73        Elevations of the bent Pyramid.

74        Bent Pyramid north and west entrances.

75        The thermal movement at the corner of the Bent Pyramid.

78        The problem of finding astronomical due East/West.

80        Great Pyramid corner sockets.

81        Pyramid Geometry.

82        The exposed corner of the Bent Pyramid.

83        Isometrics of the internal ramp construction.

84        Constructing the Grand Gallery, burial chamber and relieving arches of the Great Pyramid.

85        The distortion in the sides of the Great Pyramid, indicating the access points for the construction.

85        Line diagram indicating the feasibility of using internal ramps to build the pyramid.

86        Section showing layered ramps in the construction of the Great Pyramid.

87        How ancient masons created perfectly jointed masonry

88        Great Pyramid external ramp theory

90        The use of traditional rope and timber scaffolding on the repairs to the Step Pyramid.

91        Suggested method of the use of scaffolding to erect the outer casing of the pyramids.

92        Sectional isometric showing the method of constructing the Great Pyramid.

94–5   Constructing the pyramidion and outer casing from the top down.

96        Closing the access openings to the internal ramps.

98        Damage caused by thermal expansion to the extremities of the Bent Pyramid.

99        Illustrations of the thermal effects on the outer casing of the Bent Pyramid.

100        The effect of thermal movement on the outer casing on the pyramids.

102        The Step Pyramid, photograph isawnyu; http://www.flickr.com/photos/34561917@N04/7887720390/.

104        The Step Pyramid at the commencement of the repairs.

105        The high-level entrance to the burial chamber.

106        The first view of the remaining random blockwork of the burial chamber in 2006.

107        Past attempts in antiquity to shore up the burial chamber ceiling.

108        An old photograph taken from the bottom of the chamber showing the attempt to shore up the ceiling, giving visual indication of the amount of stone that was present in earlier times.

108        Section of a detail on providing a cantilever option to strengthen the burial chamber ceiling.

109        Interior photographs of the burial chamber of the Step Pyramid.

110        Photograph taken at the perimeter of the chamber showing the remnants of the last beam in place.

111        Progressive collapse of the burial chamber ceiling.

112        Photograph showing the amount of deflection of one of the original timber beams.

113        Dramatic first close-up view of the condition of the dangerous stonework burial chamber ceiling.

114        The stone debris and timber shoring deposited on top of the sarcophagus after the 1992 earthquake.

115        The Cintec repair concept originally presented to the Council of Antiquities.

117        The bespoke drop-stitch air support bags fixed and controlled in the Step Pyramid burial chamber ceiling.

119        Step Pyramid external scaffolding, photograph by David Broad; http://www.panoramio.com/photo/61317841.

120        Photograph of an unrelated mummy found in the pyramid.

121        Condition of the loose stonework.

123        Close-up photographs of the loose stones before pointing.

123        Small peripheral air bag supports the stonework at the edge of the burial chamber.

123        Close-up photograph of the ‘chimney entrance’ before pointing.

125        Photographs of the deep pointing prior to stabilising the ceiling with Cintec anchors.

126        National Geographic filming the restoration work.

127        The author inspecting the air bags in the Step Pyramid burial chamber.

128        Diamond drilling test in stone blocks at the entrance to the pyramid before setting test anchors.

129        The completed central section of the ceiling after the removal of the air bag supports.

130        Installation of anchors in progress.

132        Step Pyramid complex, showing chapels and Heb-Sed Court, photograph by Dennis Jarvis; https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Flickr_-_archer10_(Dennis)_-_Egypt-12B-047_-_Step_Pyramid_Complex_of_Djoser.jpg.

133        The author receiving the International Outstanding Achievement Award for 2014.

134        The Great Sphinx of Giza, photograph by Hedwig Storch; https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Great_Sphinx_of_Giza_0908.jpg.

138        Aerial view of the Giza complex, photograph Theklan; https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Gizah_complex_from_the_plane.jpg.

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INTRODUCTION

THE EARLY YEARS

STANDING FOR THE FIRST TIME in front of the Great Pyramid, one of the world’s most celebrated monuments, the subject of study and wonder for centuries, which captured the imagination of great men as diverse as Newton and Napoleon, I never imagined that I would later play a part, however small, in its history.

As I remember my early years in construction and, in particular, when I was deputy building superintendent with the Cardiff City Engineer’s Department, dealing with the council’s entire building stock, it was barely conceivable that this experience would take me to work on the edge of the Sahara and oversee the repair of the first high-rise stone structure in the world.

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The Giza Pyramids of Khufu, Khaefre and Menkaure.

How could I have guessed that resolving the structural problems of pre- Second World War housing on a sprawling estate in the Cardiff suburbs would lead me to own a highly experienced small company specializing in strengthening distressed structures?

The experience of managing a large force of craftsmen engaged in maintaining houses as well as some listed buildings and monuments was invaluable. I was given the privilege, at a relatively early age, of controlling a large workforce of all trades and their workshops. These tradesmen were not judged on their output but by their skills. They were specialists, craftsmen from a period when craftsmanship was measured by its quality.

These craftsmen were so good that they were able to execute the work on the original unfinished relief paintings in Cardiff Castle. The great nineteenth-century architect and designer William Burges, engaged by the Marquess of Bute to restore the castle and build a great house inside its original walls, outlined these paintings while working on the project, but he died young, long before the building programme could be completed, and the reliefs remained merely in outline for more than a century.

This grounding in quality workmanship has been the most important influence in my working life, especially when I started my own company in 1985. We have worked on landmark buildings, including Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle, Westminster Abbey, York Minster, Lincoln Cathedral, Dover Castle, the White House in Washington and numerous heritage sites worldwide, particularly the pyramids.

My first professional contact with Egyptian buildings, and the love of Egypt which they inspired in me, came in 1994, when I was asked to provide solutions to the problems of strengthening parts of historic Cairo after the devastating earthquake two years earlier. This initial contract was to work with the state-owned Arab Contractors to reinforce the structure of the Al-Ghuri Mosque, which had suffered extensive damage. That was when I was able to visit the Giza plateau to see the pyramids.

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The Great Pyramid of Khufu photographed from the Mena House at Giza.

My first glimpse of the Great Pyramid was early one evening, when getting out of my car at a hotel nearby. A pyramid was, of course, what I had