A Unified Engineering Framework for Large-Scale Megalithic Construction Article Swipe
Darrell Stovall
,
Darrell Stovall
·
YOU?
·
· 2025
· Open Access
·
· DOI: https://doi.org/10.31224/5804
YOU?
·
· 2025
· Open Access
·
· DOI: https://doi.org/10.31224/5804
This paper presents a unified engineering model explaining how ancient builders could have feasibly quarried, transported, lifted, and placed multi-ton megalithic stones using principles consistent with modern structural, thermal, and mechanical engineering. The study integrates three layers of analysis—structural load paths, thermal expansion–contraction dynamics, and coordinated mechanical flow—to produce a combined systems framework for large-scale stone construction. Using contour-mapped structural and thermal patterns, the paper identifies repeatable engineering behaviors: distributed weight management, expansion-driven micro-fracture control, and synchronized load-transfer cycles. The work demonstrates how multi-ton stones can be raised using earth-ramp staging, pivot-lever amplification, counterweight mass exchange, and rolling-shear rail platforms. Thermal cycling is shown to assist in stone extraction and precision fitting through controlled expansion and contraction. The unified model provides a coherent explanation for how ancient construction teams could execute high-elevation stone placement—such as in pyramids and monumental terraces—without modern machinery. The framework offers a replicable methodology for understanding large-scale construction prior to industrial technology, with potential applications in modern low-energy heavy-materials engineering.
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Metadata
- Type
- article
- Landing Page
- https://doi.org/10.31224/5804
- https://engrxiv.org/preprint/download/5804/9673/8087
- OA Status
- gold
- OpenAlex ID
- https://openalex.org/W7105667081
All OpenAlex metadata
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- OpenAlex ID
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https://openalex.org/W7105667081Canonical identifier for this work in OpenAlex
- DOI
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https://doi.org/10.31224/5804Digital Object Identifier
- Title
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A Unified Engineering Framework for Large-Scale Megalithic ConstructionWork title
- Type
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articleOpenAlex work type
- Publication year
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2025Year of publication
- Publication date
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2025-11-14Full publication date if available
- Authors
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Darrell Stovall, Darrell StovallList of authors in order
- Landing page
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https://doi.org/10.31224/5804Publisher landing page
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https://engrxiv.org/preprint/download/5804/9673/8087Direct link to full text PDF
- Open access
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YesWhether a free full text is available
- OA status
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goldOpen access status per OpenAlex
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https://engrxiv.org/preprint/download/5804/9673/8087Direct OA link when available
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Engineering, Megalith, Counterweight, Civil engineering, Stepping stone, Work (physics), Construction engineering, Reliability (semiconductor), Internal forces, Systems engineering, Mechanical engineering, Computer science, Key (lock)Top concepts (fields/topics) attached by OpenAlex
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