The dimensions of the pyramids that are accurately known (as shown in table above) are in inches.
The first two closely agree to the proportion of 7 high on II base, approximately the ratio of a radius to its circle. And on dividing the base at Medum by II the modulus is 515.64, and the base of Khufu+ I i is 824-44. These moduli are 25 cubits of 20.625 and 4o cubits of 20.611; so it appears that the form was of the same type, but with moduli of 25 and 4o cubits respec tively.
Beyond these already described there are no true pyramids, but we will briefly notice those later forms derived from the pyramid. At Thebes some small pyramids belong to the kings of the XIth Dynasty; the tomb-chamber is in the rock below. The size is under 5o f t. square. These are not oriented, and have a horizontal entrance, quite unlike the narrow pipe-like passages sloping down into the regular pyramids. (See Mariette, in Bib. arch. trans. iv. 193.) In Ethiopia, at Gebel Barkal, ire other so called pyramids of a very late date. They nearly all have porches; their simplicity is lost amid very dubious decorations ; and they are not oriented. They are all very acute, and have flat tops as if to support some ornament. The sizes are very small, varying from 23 to 88 ft. square at Gebel Barkal and 17 to 63 ft. square at Meroe. The interior is solid throughout, the windows which appear on the sides being useless architectural members. (See
Hoskin's Ethiopia, 148, etc.) The structures sometimes called pyramids at Biahmu in the Fayum have no possible claim to such a name; they were two great enclosed courts with sloping sides, in the centres of which were two seated statues raised on pedestals high enough to be seen over the walls of the courts.
Not one fragment of early inscription is known on the casing of any pyramid, either in situ or broken in pieces. Large quan tities of travellers' "graffiti" doubtless existed, and some have been found on the casing of the great pyramid ; these probably gave rise to the accounts of inscriptions, which are expressly said to have been in many different languages.
The mechanical means employed by the pyramid-builders have been partly ascertained. The hard stones, granite, diorite and basalt were in all fine work sawn into shape by bronze saws set with jewels (either corundum or diamond), hollows were made (as in sarcophagi) by tubular drilling with tools like our modern diamond rock-drills. (W. M. F. P.) See Colonel Howard Vyse, Operations at the Pyramids (1840) ; Prof. C. Piazzi Smyth, Life and Work at the Great Pyramid (1867) ; W. M. Flinders Petrie, Pyramids and Temples of Gizeh (1883) ; M. D. Fraser, The Pyramids (Glasgow, 1894) ; H. Borchardt, Die Pyramiden (191I) ; M. Edgar, The Great Pyramid (Glasgow, 1924).