Ben Carson Stands by Unusual Theory on Pyramids

While some candidates may flip-flop on the issues, Ben Carson—now the most-liked candidate of both parties, per the latest Gallup poll—is steadfast when it comes to one particular puzzle: the Egyptian pyramids. Back in 1998, the good doctor gave a commencement address at Andrews University, a school tied to the Seventh-day Adventist Church, and while he shot down the theory that aliens built the ancient structures, he floated another interesting conjecture instead, per a video that surfaced via BuzzFeed Wednesday. "My own personal theory is that Joseph built the pyramids to store grain," Carson said during his speech. "Now all the archaeologists think that they were made for the pharaohs' graves. But, you know, it would have to be something awfully big if you stop and think about it."

Coupled with the fact of the pyramids' "many chambers that are hermetically sealed," Carson said that that "something big" would had to have been grain storage units. That would back up the Old Testament story in which Joseph has a vision of a coming famine and advises the Egyptian pharaoh to build storage facilities for grain, BuzzFeed notes. "Various … scientists have said, ‘Well, you know there were alien beings that came down and they have special knowledge and that's how," Carson said at the time. "You know, it doesn't require an alien being when God is with you." But that was 17 years ago. Carson's thoughts on the matter certainly have evolved since—or maybe not. "It's still my belief, yes," he told CBS News Wednesday. (Maybe Trump will bring up the pyramids on SNL this Saturday.)