For centuries, scholars have marvelled at how ancient Egyptians managed to move multi-ton blocks of stone through the desert to construct the iconic pyramids. A recent study has provided a compelling answer to this enduring mystery, revealing that the River Nile was crucial in constructing these ancient marvels.
Moving objects weighing over two tonnes is a formidable challenge even with modern technology. Yet ancient Egyptians achieved this monumental feat 4,500 years ago by building the Great Pyramid of Giza, among other structures. The Great Pyramid alone contains approximately 2.3 million stone blocks, each weighing an average of 2.3 metric tonnes. The logistical challenges of transporting and positioning such heavy materials without mechanized equipment have led some to speculate, albeit dubiously, about extraterrestrial assistance.
A new study published in the journal *Communications Earth and Environment* on May 16, 2024, has identified the remnants of a major extinct branch of the Nile River, which once flowed adjacent to the pyramid sites. This discovery provides evidence that the Nile’s waterways were used to transport the massive stones needed for pyramid construction.
The study, led by geomorphologist Eman Ghoneim, employed radar satellite imagery, historical maps, geophysical surveys, and sediment coring to map this ancient river branch. Researchers named it the Ahramat. This branch extended for roughly 64 kilometers, with a width of 200-700 meters and a depth of 2-8 meters. The Ahramat likely became buried thousands of years ago due to sandstorms and a significant drought.
“Locating the actual river 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,” said Suzanne Onstine, one of the study’s co-authors, in an interview with the BBC.
The study found several causeways leading to the pyramids connected to inlets along this channel, suggesting these inlets functioned as riverine harbors. This waterway would have significantly reduced the effort required to move massive stone blocks, utilizing the river’s energy rather than relying solely on human labor.
While the Nile’s waters facilitated the transportation of stone blocks, the construction of the pyramids remains an incredible achievement. After transporting the blocks, thousands of workers meticulously positioned them using large ramps lubricated with water or wet clay, sledges, sturdy ropes, and levers. The precise gradient of 52 degrees on each side of the Great Pyramid of Giza highlights the advanced understanding of mathematics and architecture possessed by ancient Egyptian architects and laborers.
The construction of the pyramids also required the establishment of large, organized settlements for workers. Excavations have revealed bakeries and piles of animal bones, indicating that workers were well-fed and that a strong central authority managed the project. Egyptologist Peter Der Manuelian has emphasized that these sites were much more than cemeteries; they were bustling hubs of activity that shed light on every aspect of life in ancient Egypt.
