Four Ways to Pharaoh Khufu

by Alexander Marmer

  “What was your father’s last name again?” Kirilov asked.

  “Schulze.”

  “Schulze, Schulze, Schulze,” said Kirilov, thinking deeply. Several minutes passed. Anna and Michael tried to wait patiently.

  Suddenly, Kirilov spoke, “Oh, yes, I remember him! He was in mail correspondence with me back in the 1980s when I was still developing my theory. Your father was one of many who were in touch with me. We were discussing different possible versions of the construction of the Great Pyramid in ancient Egypt. Your father was very much involved and giving possible accounts on how the Great Pyramid was erected.”

  “Wow, that’s very interesting, I didn’t know that. My father never mentioned that to me,” said Anna. “So, how long was he in touch with you?” she asked.

  “Oh, let’s see here. About a year and then he lost an interest in my theory.”

  “Why, what happened?”

  “Well, like many others your father thought it was too simple,” said Kirilov. If I remember correctly, it was your father who delicately pointed out that it was too good to be true.”

  “When was the last time you had contact with him?” asked Anna.

  “Well, let’s see,” Kirilov tried to concentrate. “Probably end of 1980s. That’s the best I can remember.”

  “And he has never contacted you since?”

  “No, never. I don’t understand why you are asking me all these questions and not your father,” asked Kirilov, surprised by Anna’s questions.

  “Mister Kirilov, I wish I could ask my father anything right now.” Anna paused, tears in her eyes. “Unfortunately, I can’t.” She spoke quietly, “My father died last week inside the Great Pyramid.”

  “Dear Anna, I’m sorry. I did not know that,” Kirilov replied sadly. As Anna began sobbing, Michael tried to calm her down by patting her arm. She found some tissues in her purse. After a couple of minutes, Anna was able to continue.

  “What happened? How did he die?” asked Kirilov.

  “He had a heart attack,” Anna answered, looking askance at Michael. They had decided not to tell him that her father had possibly been poisoned. They did not want to scare Kirilov off.

  “I’m really sorry,” Kirilov said kindly. “May his soul rest in peace.”

  “Thank you so much,” Anna said sadly. “Mister Kirilov, what’s puzzling me is that your name was in my father’s notebook. It was one that he had been using for about two years. So, why would he have your name if he had lost all interest in your theory?”

  “Honestly, I don’t know.” Kirilov respectfully and quietly replied.

  “OK, Mister Kirilov,” Michael broke into their conversation. “Would you mind introducing us to your theory about Pharaoh Khufu and his Great Pyramid?”

  “First, I’m curious. How did you even find me?” Kirilov asked.

  “Are you familiar with a man named Rolf?” asked Michael.

  “Yes, of course,” Kirilov answered, stunned. “I met him on the train a while ago. But how do you know him?”

  “The same way,” Michael responded with a smile, “on the Berlin-Moscow train.”

  ‘Wow, it’s a small world,” exclaimed Kirilov.

  “He mentioned your theory,” said Anna.

  “Do you really want to know?” asked Kirilov mysteriously, his glance shifting from Michael to Anna.

  “Yes!” Michael and Anna both exclaimed.

  “Oh, I have an enthusiastic audience here. I hope you are mentally prepared,” said Kirilov with the big smile on his face, “because this mind-blowing journey is not for close-minded people.”

  Chapter 32

  Suschevskiy Val Street, Moscow, Russia

  Saturday, September 23

  12:38 p.m.

  Asim sat in the taxi’s backseat staring at the hotel building that Anna and the American had entered. As Seth chattered away with the driver, his mind returned to Germany and how the American had led him away from the angry mob.

  Upon reaching the outdoor market, he unceremoniously hid under a table. When he was satisfied that the American was gone, he crept out and cautiously wandered around the unfamiliar square, trying to blend into the crowd. He kept nervously checking to make sure he was not being followed, while sometimes peering intently past the bright streetlights into the darkness for Seth’s familiar Volvo. After some time passed, he turned to see Seth’s Volvo several feet away.

  As he approached the car, Asim glared into Seth’s cowardly eyes. Yanking the door open and jumping inside, Asim was just about to unleash his full rage when Seth spoke first. While Asim seethed, Seth explained that he himself would have become a victim if he had tried to help Asim. He knew that the mob would have flipped over the Volvo and burned it with them inside. So by leaving the Medjay there on the street, Seth not only saved himself, but also managed to save his vehicle. According to Seth’s twisted mind, he had made the right decision by leaving his partner to the mob.

  But Asim was a Medjay warrior. He knew that Seth had abandoned him to the mercy of the intensely wild mob. Asim gave Seth a stare that if Seth had seen it, he would have been terrified to know what it meant. Deep in Asim’s mind, he knew that he would pay Seth back in the same manner as he had been served. After taking some deep breaths, Asim commanded Seth to go back to the diner where he had encountered the American.

  After parking outside, Asim directed Seth to look in the windows for the American and Anna. They knew Asim could not show his face and needed to hide behind the Volvo’s tinted windows. Even though some time had passed, the crowd could still be looking for him.

  Walking casually up and down the sidewalk, Seth scanned the diner through its windows. Then he smiled and walked back to the entrance, going inside. Asim remained quietly inside the Volvo, his head and body scrunched down. From time to time he dared to lift up his head to peek outside. After ten minutes Asim looked up to see Seth walking toward him, a grin filling his face.

  Once inside Seth announced, “We’re in luck.” Seth had spotted an old girlfriend working as a waitress in the diner. She had noticed Anna and the American speaking English, peaking her natural curiosity. Pretending to be busy near their table, she listened in on their conversation. She clearly heard Anna announce, ‘We’re going to Russia!’ and the American agree.

  Asim looked in bewilderment at Seth, “Are you sure?”

  “She heard them clearly say ‘Moscow’ several times during their conversation.”

  Back in the apartment, Seth found out that the next train to Moscow was leaving early the next morning from the Ostbahnhof railway station. Not anticipating this turn of events, Asim made a quick phone call to his chief and expressed to him that he wished he were back in Egypt with his beloved Medjay tribe. The Chief assured Asim of his blessing to continue his quest to any country in the world to find their missing stele. He also reassured Asim that he was not to worry about the money, as he would immediately make a money transfer under Seth’s name.

  “Asim, my fearless warrior,” the Chief said, “you have my blessings and may the gods be with you.”

  Seth discovered that there were still plenty of seats available to Moscow. They packed and left immediately, hiding in the station to make sure Anna and her American friend were on that same train. To their undeniable excitement, they spotted their duo boarding the 5:04 a.m. train to Moscow.

  While checking up on his prey during the long journey, Asim managed to escape the American’s curiosity twice, almost compromising his entire clandestine mission. He was taking a smoke break in between the trains when he was startled to see the American approaching. Asim quickly climbed up and gripped the ceiling in an uncomfortable position for a few moments while the American unknowingly stood under him in the pitch-black darkness. When the American crouched down, Asim could barely keep from slipping onto the American’s head. The second time, he miraculo
usly saved detection by ducking down behind a group of families and pretending that he was looking for something.

  Seth’s elbow brought Asim back to Russia. He leaned forward and watched with interest as Anna and the American emerged from the hotel and got into a taxi. They followed the taxi inconspicuously until it pulled over next to a tall, blue building.

  Chapter 33

  Voronezhskaya Street, Building 4, Moscow, Russia

  Saturday, September 23

  2:02 p.m.

  “The Great Pyramid is shrouded in many veils of the great mysteries. To uncover at least some of them is the desire of many,” Kirilov spoke calmly. “Based on my hypothesis, I can lead you to Pharaoh Khufu’s true, final resting place. I would like to emphasize the word true because the well-known King’s Chamber that contains a lidless, empty sarcophagus is, in reality a false burial place, designed by the chief architect HemIwno. This snare trapped, without exception, all of the tomb robbers, scientists and archeologists.”

  Michael looked at Kirilov in disbelief. In a record thirty-second’s time, Kirilov had managed to make an accusation that questioned the very foundation of the official theory written and rewritten in every published scholarly book about Egypt. The King’s Chamber was the place where the Pharaoh Khufu was buried. In fact, any history student beginning his studies of the Old Kingdom dynasties of ancient Egypt absorbed it without question.

  That’s one of the most ridiculous claims I have ever heard. Michael was already thinking that his trip to Moscow was turning out to be a big waste of time.

  “Mr. Kirilov, I hope that you have proof,” said Anna.

  Michael noticed the same doubts on her face as he had. Looks like I’m not the only one, he thought.

  “Listen, I will give you more than proof, trust me,” Kirilov’s tone remained calm. “Keep listening and ask questions anytime you are uncertain. Baghdad’s Caliph Al-Mamun was the first to force entry into the Great Pyramid in his search for fabulous treasures. He quickly presumed that the Great Pyramid had been robbed in the ancient times and that there was nothing left. The explorers and archeologists that followed simply approved Al-Mamun’s assumption, and nowadays it is accepted fact. The Great Pyramid was built by using 2.3 million limestone blocks set on top of each other. But, how exactly was it built?” Kirilov glanced each of them, patiently waiting for an answer.

  “Well,” Michael broke the silence first, “according to history, it was built by using long ramps. The blocks were dragged up the ramp to form the layers.”

  “What were the ramps made of?” asked Kirilov.

  “As far as I recall … of mud brick, rubble and debris.”

  “You have a good memory,” Kirilov grinned, “but let’s think about that for a minute, shall we? You don’t have to be an engineer to understand that a ramp made of mud brick would be impossible to lift up to immense heights and withstand tons of limestone blocks being transported across it. If the ramp was built out of stone, then its construction would not be easier than the pyramid itself.”

  Michael was startled.

  Kirilov continued his explanation, “By analyzing the available descriptions, photographs and drawings of the Great Pyramid, I developed a theory based on a rather peculiar system of inner hollows. The functions of these hollows cannot be achieved without some additional conditions, which the Chief Architect HemIwno used in constructing the Great Pyramid. Inside the Great Pyramid, there is a natural cliff. Its presence not only determined the alignment of the pyramid, but also the plan for its construction, technology and engineering works around it. It also allowed the accomplishment of the most important task: making Pharaoh Khufu’s final resting place unreachable.”

  Kirilov opened a lower desk drawer and removed an envelope. He opened it, removing some papers and a photo. “Michael, Anna,” Kirilov gestured welcomingly toward them. “Here is a photo showing all of the major pyramids on the Giza Plateau,” he said as Michael and Anna leaned in closer to him.

  “The existence of natural cliffs on the Giza Plateau,” continued Kirilov, “can be acknowledged by the Mokattam Hills residing nearby. The Great Sphinx was carved from a solid knoll of rock as well. It is evident that five thousand years ago there were the remains of an ancient alpine backbone. Four of its cliffs were used as foundations for the three large and the one small pyramid. The fifth cliff was used to carve the Sphinx.”

  Cliffs? Michael stared at the picture in disbelief.

  Anna was visibly confused. “If there is a cliff at the base of the Great Pyramid, then how did the limestone blocks get enclosed around it?”

  Michael glanced at Anna. It’s good to know that I’m not the only one who has doubts.

  Kirilov chuckled and reached into a side desk drawer and pulled out a piece of white paper. He drew a diagram on it as Anna and Michael carefully watched.

  “What kind of technology was available to the ancient Egyptians in order to transport heavy limestone blocks?” Kirilov paused and then answered himself, “There is no secret about that: ropes, levers and sleds are widely known to archeologists. So, how did the ancient Egyptians manage to lift blocks weighing tons to the height of the construction site by using primitive technology?” Now he glanced at his visitors and waited for the answer.

  Anna and Michael shook their heads in unity.

  “I think you will agree with me that there needed to be a robust base in the form of a traditional inclined surface. Could an inclined surface be established on the sides of the pyramid?

  “Well, that depends on the angle of the sides,” Anna said, deep in thought.

  “The angle is well known as fifty-one degrees and fifty-one minutes,” Kirilov replied.

  “Well, if the angle was steeper than forty-five degrees then the blocks would capsize,” added Michael “unless they used levers behind the blocks in order to prop them.”

  Kirilov’s face lit up. “I like the way you think,” he complimented Michael, “but it is known that one block of limestone weighs roughly around three tons. Toward the apex of the Great Pyramid, there are blocks weighing sixty to seventy tons, if not more. No lever would ever support such an enormous weight. Besides, there was no space to fit the huge amount of workers needed in order to move such immense, heavily weighted blocks. Any questions?” Kirilov asked mysteriously. He looked like a math teacher who knew the answer.

  “Of course we have questions!” Michael was fired up. “So, how were these enormous blocks transported?”

  Seeing Michael’s impatience, Kirilov decided not to torture him anymore. “There was only one way: levels inclined at an optimal angle that prevented the blocks from capsizing.”

  “Wait a second, are you referring to the angle of twenty-six degrees and thirty-four minutes?” Michael added, astonished. “Aren’t the inclines of the Ascending and Descending Passages and the Grand Gallery at that angle?”

  “You are a genius! Just like HemIwno himself!” Kirilov enthusiastically proclaimed.

  Anna was astonished. “Michael,” she asked curiously, “How did you know the angle of the inclines of those passages?”

  “That’s what I recall from studying the Great Pyramid. Those two passages and the Grand Gallery all have the same angle of incline, precisely equal to twenty-six degrees and thirty-four minutes.”

  “Michael is absolutely right,” said Kirilov, searching through his papers. With a flourish, he put one in front of Michael and Anna. “In order to completely understand the function of all the inner hollows, I had to create a three-dimensional cross-section diagram of the Great Pyramid. Look at this:

  And here is another, closer look at it. You can look at this and follow along as we continue our discussion.

  HemIwno’s solution was very unique for the construction practices of the time. At the initial stage of the engineering preparation, straight pathways were carved into the slopes of the cliff. These
pathways later functioned as passageways that were used to transport the limestone blocks. In addition, the large spaces that were carved-in acted like intermediary resting places, just like landings are used in a staircase. Preassembled granite slabs that later formed the King’s Chamber and the Grand Gallery were placed ahead of time. As were the stone wedges, which tightly sealed the Ascending and Descending Passages.”

  “Excuse me,” Michael interrupted, “it's all fascinating, but let's go back to the inclined levels. Even by using the optimal angle of twenty-six degrees and thirty-four minutes, transporting hundreds of tons of blocks in an upward direction would be a job suitable only for Superman.”

  “This task was accomplished without Superman’s help,” Kirilov gently replied. “There are even better examples. During the period of ancient Rome, the people, as you can imagine, were not much different than the ancient Egyptians. Their architectural engineering was not advanced that much further from Egyptian times, yet in the city of Baalbek, there are stone blocks weighing thousands of tons that were lifted up to heights exceeding twenty feet.”

  “Here, hold on one second,” Kirilov got up from his chair and walked to a bookcase. He started shuffling through the books, selecting one. Returning to his desk, he looked through several pages and then read an excerpt from it:

  Baalbek, the town in the Bekaa Valley of Lebanon is famous for its exquisitely detailed, but monumentally scaled temple ruins of the Roman period. Baalbek, known as Heliopolis at that time, was one of the largest sanctuaries in the empire. The city was made a colony by the Roman Empire in fifteen BC and a legion was stationed there. The Roman buildings were constructed on top of earlier ruins. This involved the creation of an immense, raised plaza onto which the actual buildings were placed. The sloping terrain necessitated the creation of retaining walls on the north, south and west sides of the plaza. These walls are built of monoliths, which at their lowest level each weigh approximately 400 tons. The western and tallest retaining wall has a second course of monoliths containing the famous trilithon: a row of three stones each weighing in excess of a thousand tons. A fourth, still larger stone called “the stone of the south” or “the stone of the pregnant woman” lays unused in a nearby quarry. Had it been freed from the quarry, it would have been the largest stone ever moved, larger than the famous, unfinished obelisk in Aswan.