The long-standing mystery of how Egypt's pyramids were built has reportedly been solved by a retired French postman, reports the International Business Times.
Michel Michel, an amateur Egyptologist who has spent the last 40 years examining the construction of the pyramids, has put forward a theory about the methods used that has been supported by several experts in the field.
In an interview with Ouest France, Michel said he has been fascinated with the pyramids since 1972, when he saw the Howard Hawks film Land of the Pharaohs.
Explaining why other theories about the construction are wrong, he said calculations and observations of one pyramid are often inapplicable to others, adding: "They also forgot the basic principle: to build, the Egyptians did not have modern means and had to keep it simple.
"My method is based on a system of ramps. It is adapted to the pyramids of all sizes. It is simple, intuitive, economical, robust and easily verifiable."
The ramps were arranged and sleds loaded with stones were pulled up them. The ramps were then reused to form the smooth coating of the pyramid.
"By thus acting on each side, the top-down, smooth pyramid is obtained, consistent with observations. With a simple tape measure, you can perform these calculations. "
Most theories about how the pyramids were constructed are based on the idea that huge stones were carved in quarries than dragged and lifted into position – debate comes over how the stones were moved and raised.
Read more of this report from the International Business Times.