We are talking about two separate things. You are correct in what you are writing. We both agree on this. What the article was referencing was the lengths of the various sides. It did not speak about height at any time. There is no rise, only runs.

The runs 'mysteriously' used a unit of length that used a multiple of their unit of measure * Pi. The Archeologist commented that the likely reason was that their wheel was their unit as part of the diameter or radius, hence introducing Pi as part of the measure of the sides. That's the SMH 'Doh' of the comment and the humor.

It is the same humor that poked fun at the engineering graduate who was hired by Edison. He was assigned the task of finding the volume of a new light bulb. After days of work and a long formula measuring it, he brought his results to Edison. Edison said that his was too complicated for him to figure. Edison filled the bulb with water and poured it into a measured beaker.

I have no idea if the Edison story is true, but always remembered it as a young engineering student, to not overcomplicate results. I worked with expert craftsmen who would chew me up and spit me out, if I were caught that way.

Have a good day, also.