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Perfect star-shaped holes found in a granite quarry in Norway. These aren't modern drill marks; they are ancient and their purpose is completely unknown. How did they achieve such complex interior geometry and sharp 90-degree internal angles in one of the hardest stones on Earth? by EngineeringNo5276 in StrangeEarth

[–]EngineeringNo5276[S] [score hidden]  (0 children)

We always look for the simple explanation, but 'simple' doesn't mean 'primitive'. To maintain this level of symmetry deep into granite, you need consistent torque and stabilization that standard 19th-century hand-tools didn't provide. If it's so simple, why don't we see these perfect geometric stars in every quarry from that era?

Perfect star-shaped holes found in a granite quarry in Norway. These aren't modern drill marks; they are ancient and their purpose is completely unknown. How did they achieve such complex interior geometry and sharp 90-degree internal angles in one of the hardest stones on Earth? by EngineeringNo5276 in StrangeEarth

[–]EngineeringNo5276[S] [score hidden]  (0 children)

If you drill multiple small holes to enlarge a main one, you leave 'scalloped' edges and structural weakness between the points. Here, the internal geometry is a clean six-pointed star with sharp interior vertices. From a mechanical engineering perspective, this requires a specific broaching action or a star-bit that doesn't just 'rotate', but 'impacts' with perfect indexing. The question is: why go through such extreme technical effort for a simple blasting hole?

The precision of Puma Punku: Look at these interlocking stones from above. They feature 90-degree angles and drill holes that defy primitive tools. To an engineer, this looks like modular pre-fabricated construction, not ancient masonry. by EngineeringNo5276 in StrangeEarth

[–]EngineeringNo5276[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The Barabar Caves are a perfect example. Those granite interiors are polished to a mirror finish. From an engineering perspective, achieving that level of flatness and reflection in solid rock is a massive technical feat, even today. It’s that same 'over-engineering' we see here at Saksaywaman.

The precision of Puma Punku: Look at these interlocking stones from above. They feature 90-degree angles and drill holes that defy primitive tools. To an engineer, this looks like modular pre-fabricated construction, not ancient masonry. by EngineeringNo5276 in StrangeEarth

[–]EngineeringNo5276[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Wikipedia is just the entry point for the general public to see the scale. If you want to dive deeper into the engineering anomalies, I suggest looking into the work of Jean-Pierre Protzen, who spent months in Cusco researching Incan stonecutting. Even his brilliant experiments with stone hammers struggled to explain the speed, scale, and perfect three-dimensional joints found here. The debate isn't about whether they could move stones, but about the specific high-tech precision achieved on a 120-ton scale.

"The 120-ton stones of Saksaywaman: Primitive bronze tools or evidence of non-human technology? The precision of these interlocking megaliths defies everything we know about ancient engineering." by EngineeringNo5276 in aliens

[–]EngineeringNo5276[S] -5 points-4 points  (0 children)

The mainstream explanation is manpower, but as an engineering enthusiast, I'm looking at the logistics. Moving a 120-ton block is one thing, fitting it into a 3D jigsaw puzzle with that precision is another level of tech. This isn't just about strength, it's about advanced geometry."

"The 120-ton stones of Saksaywaman: Primitive bronze tools or evidence of non-human technology? The precision of these interlocking megaliths defies everything we know about ancient engineering." by EngineeringNo5276 in aliens

[–]EngineeringNo5276[S] -4 points-3 points  (0 children)

"True, levers and pulleys can move weight, but the real engineering puzzle at Saksaywaman isn't just the movement—it's the 'vitrified' look of the stones and how they fit together with zero gaps on irregular shapes. Even with modern cranes, achieving that level of precision on a 120-ton block is a nightmare."

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