Final answer:
The Egyptians raised the stones onto the Great Pyramid using manpower, ropes, and wooden sledges to transport the blocks from nearby quarries and ramps to lift them into place. The labor force comprised of well-cared-for workers, not slaves, sustained by the Nile's resources.
Step-by-step explanation:
How the Egyptians Constructed the Great Pyramid
The Great Pyramid of Khufu is a marvel of ancient engineering and symbolizes the prosperity and ingenuity of Egypt during the Old Kingdom. Constructing such an immense structure required a substantial workforce and an effective system for managing resources. While the exact methods remain a subject of debate, it is understood that the granite and limestone blocks, each weighing an average of 2.5 tons, were transported from nearby quarries primarily using manpower, ropes, and wooden sledges. The stones were moved over the desert and then raised into place using a system of ramps made from mud bricks and limestone chippings.
Historians originally believed that slaves were responsible for the construction of the pyramids, but now it is widely accepted that it was free laborers who were well-fed and housed in nearby worker cities. These laborers worked year-round on the pyramids, with work intensifying during the Nile flood when agricultural activity was not possible. The availability of resources and food, thanks to the Nile's bounty, provided the necessary energy and support for the massive workforce required for the construction of the pyramids.
The Great Pyramid itself was a colossal undertaking, with an estimated 20,000 workers contributing over 20 years to its construction. The alignment of the pyramids to the north and the sophistication of the internal chambers and corridors reflect the Egyptian mastery of design and precision engineering. While the lifting techniques are not fully understood, the efficiency of the workers and the strategic use of ramps allowed them to raise millions of stone blocks into place to create this monument, which has stood for over four and a half millennia as a testament to human achievement.