The Pyramids of Giza and the Lost River Scientists have found dried branches of the Nile River around 31 pyramids in Egypt. This may help answer the question: How was the pyramid built?
How was the pyramid built? The construction of the Great Pyramid of Giza and other pyramids in Egypt has long been a question that scholars and ordinary people have been trying to answer. This is because each pyramid is arranged with huge square stone blocks. Some even believe that the ancient Egyptians were not supposed to have the technology to move such heavy objects. Especially for areas that are already considered dry deserts from the current perspective.
This has led some people to suggest the unique idea that each pyramid was built with alien life and scientists in the area believe that the ancient Egyptians may have used “waterways” to transport rocks rather than aliens. However, it remains quite a mystery.
“But no one is sure of the location, shape, size, or distance of this huge waterway from the actual pyramid site,” said study author Iman Ghoneim. From the University of North Carolina at Wilmington in the United States.
But it seems now they find some clues. Using radar satellite images the soil was excavated and analyzed including geophysical tests to overview and map the structures of more than 31 pyramids, including the Pyramids of Giza.
According to records, the 6,650-kilometre-long Nile River had numerous branches totaling more than 64 kilometres, extending through 31 pyramid complexes along what is now the desert. But evidence suggests that between 4,700 and 3,700 years ago there was an abundance of flowing water. It has become a place of agriculture for thousands of years.
Scientists believe that about 4,200 years ago, the Grand River gradually began to be covered with sand until it became what it is today. The Giza Pyramids are located on a plateau only about 1 km from the original river bank.
“In addition to the fact that the Pyramid Bridge ended at the river bank, the size of this river and its proximity to the pyramids all indicate that this branch of the river was once flowing and helped work during the construction of these pyramids,” Ghoneim and his colleagues said in the paper.
They called this branch of the river “Ahramad” (Al-Ahramat, Arabic for “pyramid”), and it was located not far to the west of the Old Kingdom site. But eventually it dried up and disappeared. “It is not known exactly when the branch will end,” Ghoneim said, as drought intensifies in the region. The water level in Ahmedabad branch also decreased.
Another thing that supports this evidence is that researchers found that many pyramids existed. This “high corridor” runs along the river before ending in a valley that is believed to serve as a harbour. It also indicates that the river played an important role in transporting huge amounts of building materials.
These heavy materials come mostly from the south. “Floating in rivers would be much easier than land transportation,” said Susan Eunstein, a co-author of the study. According to the University of Memphis, the banks of the river may indicate why the pyramids were built in different locations.
Many experts say that the study indicates the importance of geography in the construction of ancient giant structures. That the present image cannot be used to judge what happened in the past
“These results clearly show that when the pyramid was built, the geography of the river includes the floodplains of the Nile River. There are big differences from today,” said Nick Marriner, director of research at the French National Center for Scientific Research. “This is not related to the research,” he said.
“Reconstructing a picture of how, when and where the former Nile River gorge was formed can help us understand how the ancient Egyptians were able to control the natural environment. The Nile River flood cycle and how were building materials transported to the pyramid construction site,” he added.
When the paths of the water and the volume of water changed over time, the pharaohs later decided to build in a different location than the one chosen by the previous pharaohs. The discovery thus demonstrates the close relationship between geography, climate, environment and human behaviour.
Researched and edited by Witit Borompichaichartkul
Origin
https://www.nature.com/articles/s43247-024-01379-7
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