3 ms·

> advanced trigonometry There's a ratio involving pi between the base lengths of the pyramid and its height. This is been interpreted by enthusiasts that the E

> advanced trigonometry There's a ratio involving pi between the base lengths of the pyramid and its height. This is been interpreted by enthusiasts that the Egyptians knew about pi. But, consider a measuring wheel, where you can mark off distances very accurately by counting revolutions of the wheel, say, 1 cubit in diameter (I know, I know, what's a cubit?). Then, if the height is laid out in cubits, the ratio of pi is there while being completely ignorant of it.

dmurray 10mo ago
But that doesn't explain things if it's true that they hadn't discovered the wheel!
- jeltz 10mo ago
  It is as far as I understand only wheeled transportation that was late in Ancient Egypt. They used wheels for pottery before they had wagons.
- orwin 10mo ago
  Most civilizations discovered. No one care about a wheel. The wheel itself is useless. Not everyone discovered the axle though, and even less created roads. I have responded to a sibling comment with more information or examples. I hate this because I don't care about pyramids or Egypt, but I feel myself compelled to respond, I'm so sorry it's not against you, It's a recent pet peeve.
- WalterBright 10mo ago
  The pi ratio is strong evidence that a wheel is used somewhere in their surveying tools. When I was a boy, I asked my mom how the Egyptians made their pyramid foundations straight. Without looking up from her book, she replied "pull a string tight". Then I thought I'd trip her up with how they made the foundation level. Without hesitation she said "dig a trench and fill it with water." She shoulda been an engineer!
pantalaimon 10mo ago
> This is been interpreted by enthusiasts that the Egyptians knew about pi. Well if you want to calculate the circumference of earth and know the distance between Alexandria and Syene, where the sun casts no shadow at noon during the summer solstice, you also need to know pi.
- Luc 10mo ago
  No need for pi. If you know the angle and the distance between the two cities, you can just multiply the distance by [full circle divided by the angle], and that's the circumference.
- CRConrad 10mo ago
  Even if that were true, it wouldn't disprove the link to racism: Eratosthenes was Hellene, not native Egyptian. He "counts as white"; ancient Egyptians may or may not.
jdougan 10mo ago
> what's a cubit? What's an ark?

dmurray 10mo ago

But that doesn't explain things if it's true that they hadn't discovered the wheel!

jeltz 10mo ago
It is as far as I understand only wheeled transportation that was late in Ancient Egypt. They used wheels for pottery before they had wagons.
orwin 10mo ago
Most civilizations discovered. No one care about a wheel. The wheel itself is useless. Not everyone discovered the axle though, and even less created roads. I have responded to a sibling comment with more information or examples. I hate this because I don't care about pyramids or Egypt, but I feel myself compelled to respond, I'm so sorry it's not against you, It's a recent pet peeve.
WalterBright 10mo ago
The pi ratio is strong evidence that a wheel is used somewhere in their surveying tools. When I was a boy, I asked my mom how the Egyptians made their pyramid foundations straight. Without looking up from her book, she replied "pull a string tight". Then I thought I'd trip her up with how they made the foundation level. Without hesitation she said "dig a trench and fill it with water." She shoulda been an engineer!

pantalaimon 10mo ago

> This is been interpreted by enthusiasts that the Egyptians knew about pi. Well if you want to calculate the circumference of earth and know the distance between Alexandria and Syene, where the sun casts no shadow at noon during the summer solstice, you also need to know pi.

Luc 10mo ago
No need for pi. If you know the angle and the distance between the two cities, you can just multiply the distance by [full circle divided by the angle], and that's the circumference.
CRConrad 10mo ago
Even if that were true, it wouldn't disprove the link to racism: Eratosthenes was Hellene, not native Egyptian. He "counts as white"; ancient Egyptians may or may not.

jdougan 10mo ago

> what's a cubit? What's an ark?