Maureen Clemmons: Building a Pyramid, Rosamond, CA Dr. Clemmons tests her theory that the Egyptians used wing power to build pyramids with the help of Cal Poly Pomona architecture students. Explorers: Clemmons Period of Activity: 2001- current Wings 2006 Flag Carrier, Dr. Maureen Clemmons, returned to the field with the WWQ Flag in May, this time with a class of 100 Cal Poly Pomona architecture students to build a 106-ton, 12 foot pyramid using silk kites and beer...no cranes, no machines, no technology, just wind and some pretty advanced physics. Inspired by Dr. Clemmons theory that the ancient Egyptians used wind, not slaves, to build the pyramids, the team used silk kites to harness enough wind power to lift two-ton stones, the average weight of the stones used to construct the pyramids of ancient Egypt. The fermented beer served as a liquid enzyme to stabilize the soil. Clemmons has been working on the theory since 1997 with a team of volunteers, including top engineers, scientists and academics. She recalls a tale of a Viking captain who captured Constantinople by "sailing" his long boats over land using log rollers and sails. She argued that hieroglyphics show ancient Egyptians used their sailing knowledge to use the wind in their favor. "The Egyptians are credited with inventing the sail. They were talented with harnessing the wind," Clemmons said. Clemmons and her team found that erecting a 450 ton obelisk would require a 3,000-foot ramp and 6,500 laborers over several days. However, a properly employed kite method would take 16 workers, 8 kites, 48 pulleys, a 120-foot tower, and only 6 hours. While researching the best way to provide a sturdy foundation for the monuments, Clemmons' team found that using beer would compact the soil efficiently. Because beer was the drink of choice for the ancient Egyptians, the idea that they used beer to compact the ground is feasible, Clemmons said. Dr. Clemmons holds both an Ed.D in Organization Change and an MBA from Pepperdine University. In addition to being a Professor of Innovation at the University de Monterrey, Mexico, she is President of Transformations, a consulting practice located in Winnetka, California whose associates specialize in Innovation, SAP installations, Change Management and Transorganiational Learning. Her clients include Bausch & Laumb Surgical, Hazelton Foundation, MGM, Monsanto, Oce, Wella Corporation, Xerox, Liberia and 24-Hour Fitness. Her documentary "Flying Pyramids Soaring Stones" airs internationally on the History Channel, profiling her theory and research demonstrating the ancient Egyptians used the wind to build their monuments. Her second documentary "Wonders of the Wind" is currently in production.