Scientists uncover hidden ancient river that supported Egyptian pyramid construction 4,000 years ago
A research team from the University of North Carolina Wilmington has potentially solved the age-old mystery of how the over 4,000-year-old Egyptian pyramids were constructed.
The team discovered that 31 pyramids, including the iconic Giza complex, were likely built along a long-lost ancient branch of the River Nile, now buried under desert and farmland.
For years, archaeologists have speculated that these monumental structures must have utilised a nearby waterway to transport the massive stone blocks required for their construction. The newly uncovered evidence supports this theory, providing insights into pyramid-building techniques.
"Locating the actual branch and having the data that shows there was a waterway that could be used for the transportation of heavier blocks, equipment, people, everything, really helps us explain pyramid construction," Dr Suzanne Onstine, one of the study's co-authors, told the BBC.
Professor Eman Ghoneim, another co-author, emphasised the significance of the discovery.
"Nobody was certain of the location, the shape, the size, or proximity of this mega waterway to the actual pyramids site," Ghoneim explained.
The team employed radar technology to penetrate the sand surface, revealing hidden features detailed in their study published in the journal Communications Earth and Environment.
Among these features were buried rivers and ancient structures located at the foothills where most of the Egyptian pyramids stand.
The researchers found that the ancient river branch, named "Ahramat" meaning pyramids in Arabic bordered 31 pyramids constructed between 4,700 and 3,700 years ago, shedding light on the logistical capabilities of ancient Egyptians in pyramid construction.
Currently, there are at least 118 identified Egyptian pyramids. These ancient masonry structures were predominantly built as tombs for the country’s pharaohs and their consorts during the Old Kingdom (2575 BC to 2150 BC) and Middle Kingdom (2050 BC to 1550 BC) periods.
