Egypt

What trick did ancient Egyptians use to cut stone? Sand!

Sand, as soft as it can be, is what ancient Egyptians used to cut stones and even drill holes in granite when constructing pyramids and sculpting monuments. 

Archeologists have discovered that the Egyptians poured quartz sand on the rocks making it possible for bow saws and drills of copper, otherwise too soft, to etch, drill and cut into the rocks. 

Doing the same tasks today using modern techniques, stone chisels, and diamond wheels is still hard work. Sand and its many uses!