The secret was hidden inside the ground

We have spent years coming up with all kinds of theories and speculations about how exactly the Egyptians built those wonders known as the pyramids. We already knew how they aligned them, or how they managed to transport the huge stones from the quarries, we even found clues after the discovery of an ancient canal. Now, a group of researchers has found the story that explains how the first pyramid in Egypt was built: that of Djoser.

Sakkara. This structure, also known as the Saqqara Step Pyramid, is one of the oldest and most iconic pieces of Egyptian architecture. Built during the reign of Pharaoh Djoser (Djoser) of the Third Dynasty (around 2670 BC), it was designed by its architect, the famous Imhotep. We are facing a monument that represents a milestone, since it is the first pyramid built in the world and the first large-scale stone building.

Originally conceived as a mastaba, it was expanded in several stages to reach its final form of six different levels (ranging from about 60 to 62 meters in height). The pyramid not only served as the tomb of the pharaoh, but also marked a significant advance in construction techniques and the development of the funerary complex surrounding the main structure.

Until now, the prevailing theory suggested that heavy stone blocks were transported on roller-like devices and raised to height using a series of ramps. Today we are closer than ever to understanding how they lifted it.

the study. In the work (uploaded by the authors to Research Gate and pending publication), studies of the watershed near the pyramid indicate that the Gisr el-Mudir (enclosure) has the features of a check dam to trap sediment and water. Additionally, the topography beyond the “dam” indicates a possible ephemeral lake to the west of the Djoser complex and the flow of water within the surrounding moat.

According to the researchers: “In the southern part of the pit, we demonstrate that the monumental linear structure dug into the rock, consisting of successively deeper compartments, combines the technical requirements of a water treatment facility: a sedimentation pond, a retention and a purification system.

a hydraulic system. Based on what they found, the researchers propose that Gisr el-Mudir and the inner southern part of the moat functioned as a type of integrated hydraulic system to regulate flow and improve water quality. Furthermore, the pyramid’s internal architecture is consistent with a hydraulic lifting mechanism that has not been reported before.

For the authors, “the ancient architects probably erected the stones at the centre of the pyramid in a volcanic manner using sediment-free water from the southern part of the dry moat. The ancient Egyptians are renowned for their pioneering mastery of hydraulics, through canals for irrigation purposes and boats for transporting the huge stones. “This work opens up a new direction of research: the use of hydraulic power to erect the massive structures built by the pharaohs.”

A detailed study. As they say, to reach this hypothesis they carried out a detailed analysis of high-resolution satellite images and digital elevation models through advanced GIS (geographical information systems) technology. They were thus able to identify the influence of the Abusir paleohydrological network on the Djoser construction project, offering a view of how the ancient Egyptians could have exploited the natural landscape for their architectural purposes.

Not only that. They also performed numerical modeling to investigate water consumption, lift cycles, and pit filling during the construction of the pyramid. The results indicated that due to the limited initial lift gain, raising the first layers of the pyramid required significantly less water than the mid-height layers.

“The construction of a pyramid up to a final height of 62.5 m would require a minimum of 18 Mm³, which corresponds to 0.6-0.9 Mm³/year over a period of 20-30 years. These values ​​provide only a preliminary estimate and do not take into account water losses due to infiltration and other factors,” they elaborate.

conclusion. Until the study is published, the researchers seem to be convinced that the Egyptians had a surprisingly deep knowledge of hydraulic systems, far beyond what anyone had thought until now. If so, it raises an interesting question about these technologies and their origins before or during the reign of Djoser.

Image | Gary Todd, X. Landreau et al.

In Xataka | After scanning a “blank area” beneath the pyramids of Giza, we found something even more mysterious: an L-shaped structure

At Xataka | The pyramids are so perfectly aligned that we have no idea how they did it 4,500 years ago. Until now