Drawing the Cross Section of the Great Pyramid
by Means of the Vesica
Method 2
A
Circle One
Circle Two
B
To begin this exercise establish a vertical axis. Draw two circles upon
this axis forming a Vesica as shown in the figure above. We will call the
upper Circle One and the lower Circle Two. Label the two end points, where
the line intersects the circles A and B. Assume that the radius of these two
circles is 1 unit. Next, use B as a center and open the radius of your
compass to 2, which is equal to the diameter of either circle. Now draw a
third circle of radius 2 that encloses Circle Two as shown in the next figure.
This larger circle we will call Circle Three.
A
C
D
B
Circle Three
Label the intersections of Circles One and Three points C and
D. For the next step erect a perpendicular to line AB through
point B. Let it extend somewhat outside of Circle Three. This
step can actually be performed before the construction of Circle
Three, the order of these two steps does not matter. We will call
this new line MN.
A
C
D
M
N
B
Finally, lay your straight edge across points A and C and draw
a line, extending it until it meets line MN. Perform the same
operation connecting points A and D, extending to line MN.
Your drawing should now appear as shown above. Triangle AMN
is virtually the same as the cross section triangle of the Great
Pyramid of Khufu.
Your drawing should now appear as below. I call this a virtual pyramid
because it is not exactly 51° 51’, the generally accepted slope to base
angle of the Great Pyramid. Question: How would you go about
calculating the actual exact angles of this triangle?
Given that the Great Pyramid of Khufu would have been just over 481
feet in height with the capstone in place, the two original generating
circles drawn on the vertical would be just over 320 feet in diameter, or
160 feet in radius if drawn to full scale. Here we have an interesting
coincidence pointed out by John Michell. See the next page.
The first phase in the construction of Stonehenge in Great Britain was the
construction of a circular bank of earth and a ditch that possibly served as a
moat. The bank of earth sits just inside the ditch and can clearly be seen in
aerial photos such as the one below.
A circle laid out on the center of the earth bank would have a diameter of
just at 320 feet, a number frequently quoted for the diameter of this
feature. Toggle to the next page to see a circle of this size superimposed
upon the earth bank.
A circle of 320 feet diameter superimposed upon the Stonehenge complex.
The circle defines the center of the bank of earth that marked the first phase
of construction.
The generating circles superimposed over Stonehenge. The next image
superimposes a profile of the Great Pyramid of Khufu over this figure.
Is it possible that underlying Stonehenge and the Great Pyramid of Khufu is
a common system of Geometry? One coincidence such as this does not
imply a pattern. Whether additional geometrical links exist remains to be
seen.