This is how the ancient Egyptians may have built the pyramids

luxurious Egyptian pyramids They are a testament to the ingenuity and power of an ancient civilization that continues to fascinate us even today. But why were the pyramids built in an inhospitable desert landscape? Now, a new study has solved a long-standing mystery about the location of such symbolic structures: The answer is that, before such a desert area existed, The pyramids were built down a branch of the Nile River Currently dry and buried under sand and farmland.

How did they transport so many stones?

This is one of the great mysteries of history. According to researchers at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington, 31 structures, including the Pyramids of Giza, were once near the banks of a river, buried under sand and silt for thousands of years. This information will solve the great mystery of how the builders of the pyramids were able to transport such quantities of monumental material. How were the thousands of tons of stones used in its construction transported there? Even with our modern technology, removing so much stone would be no easy task. ,

Sediments recovered from the area indicate that the area was once a heavily cultivated area; especially about 4,700 years ago, when the branches of the Nile River were much higher than they are now. This is the same moment in history when construction of Egypt’s first pyramids began.

“Monumental structures, such as pyramids and temples, would logically be built near major waterways to facilitate the transportation of construction materials and workers,” the authors write in their study published in the journal Nature. communication earth and environment, “However, no waterways have been found near the site of Egypt’s largest pyramid, as the Nile River is located several kilometers away.”

It was really strange to learn that more than 30 pyramids were built on a vertical strip between Giza and Lisht on the edge of the Western Desert, part of the Sahara (including the Great Pyramid of Giza and one of the only pyramids in the world). Seven Wonders of the Ancient World which is still standing), the Nile River is very far away (from our current perspective).

a lost river system

The answer is that it wasn’t that far away, but the pyramids were actually built along a branch of a river system that disappeared over time. Although This is not a new theoryThe present study presents evidence of a waterway that was actually used in the past to transport these large quantities of materials.

To reach this conclusion, researchers studied satellite images to determine the possible location of an ancient river branch that flowed in the foothills of the western desert plateau, very close to the pyramids. then he experimented Geophysical studies with sediment core analysis, which allowed them to detect the presence of historical river sediments and ancient water channels hidden beneath the present landmass. And they found a discovery worth uncovering: a 64-kilometre-long arm of the river that flowed in the past and later dried up, now hidden, buried and forgotten.

And why did this river arm disappear? According to scientists, the accumulation of wind-blown sand, possibly related to a major drought that began about 4,200 years ago, played a significant role in this change. This climate change may have contributed to the gradual drying up and eventual concealment of this ancient waterway under layers of sand and mud. Anyway, the pyramids of Giza were located on a plateau about a kilometer from the river bank. Researchers have proposed that the arm of the river be called “Ahramat”, Which means pyramid in Arabic; A river that would have facilitated the transport of huge blocks of stone and other materials for the works and would also explain why so many pyramids are concentrated in this strip of desert. At the time of construction these areas were easily accessible due to their proximity to the river.

But This is not all. The discovery of the Ahramat branch of the Nile opens up new and interesting possibilities for archaeological exploration, as other extant branches of the Nile can be explored and potential sites for future excavations can be identified, which in turn May uncover new treasures hidden with these ancient ones. On the banks of the river.

“Revealing this extinct branch of the Nile can provide a more refined idea of ​​where ancient settlements were probably located in relation to it and prevent them from being lost due to rapid urbanization. This may improve security measures Egypt’s cultural heritage“, write the author.

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