Astronomer Royal of Scotland, Charles Piazzi Smyth, and French astronomer, Jean Baptiste Biot, noted how the Pyramid of Cheops accurately marked annual [G 026/ solstices]and [G 010/ equinoxes] with its northern shadow and southern reflected light, much like a giant sundial. English scientist Moses B. Cotsworth experimented with models to verify the theory and discovered cones and pyramids were the best functional shapes. However, the pyramid performed better than the cone and was architecturally more practical. To be fully practicable, a flat surface was necessary for precise measurement of shadow and light. Having heard no previous report of such a surface, Cotsworth set off to Egypt to look for it. And stretching out from the north base of the Great Pyramid was where he found it. A mosaic pattern of huge paving stones extending for several yards could have played some part in almanac calculations, but extensive alterations to the Giza plateau have torn into the pavement, rendering it impossible to know how far out the stones were laid. Similar paving was discovered on the eastern side of Chephren's pyramid and along the causeway leading to the [P 006 / Mycerinus] pyramid. Great pains were taken to fit the stones exactly together, far more labor than was necessary for regular paving stones. Nevertheless, the patterns are different and nothing conclusive can be said. Cotsworth believed each pyramid served some scientific purpose with their different slopes and was supported by Sir Norman Lockyer, the eminent Victorian astronomer, who was mocked for suggesting Stonehenge was an observatory.
