Egypt’s massive pyramids have been a mystery and a wonder for centuries. The obsession with their construction and lore first began in the 1800s when British explorers began uncovering the first secrets held by the massive structures.
Now, hundreds of years later, researchers are still discovering new information on how the pyramids were built and what purpose they served.
New Information
A new study suggests that the Egyptians used more sophisticated equipment than originally thought.
Also, the information shows that the builders of the great pyramids actually used water in a very clever way.
The Paper
The paper was published in the journal PLOS ONE, adds new information to the long debated topic of how the pyramids were built.
The paper brings information that the iconic 4,500-year-old Step Pyramid of Djoser was actually built with the help of a hydraulic lift system.
Previous Theories
In the past, detailed researchers assumed that the Step Pyramid was built using a system of ramps, levers, and good old-fashioned manpower to move the stoned up the structure.
It is estimated that these systems took roughly 20 to 30 years and more than 10,000 slaves and workers to build a single pyramid.
Egyptians Channelled Water Power
The research was led by Xavier Landreau of France’s CEA Paleotechnic Institute. He suggested that the Ancient Egyptians used the power of nearby watersways and canals to power weight-bearing lifts.
Landreau shows how water was able to flow into two shafts located inside the pyramid. These shafts were then used to help raise and lower a float that carried the heavy stone blocked up the side of the pyramid.
Ancient Engineering
“Ancient Egyptians are famous for their pioneering and mastery of hydraulics through canals for irrigation purposes and barges to transport huge stones,” the researchers wrote.
“This work opens a new line of research: the use of hydraulic force to erect the massive structures built by Pharaohs.”
The Step Pyramid
The Step Pyramid is believed to have been built around 2680 BCE. Its function was a funerary complex for the Third Dynasty pharaoh Djoser.
However, the precise method of construction was always somewhat unclear.
Glory in Death
The purpose of the pyramids was discovered quite early on in the 1800s when British explorers became fascinated with the ancient culture.
They surmised that the structure was a way to glorify leaders after death. The pyramids were built as monuments to house the tombs of the pharaohs and were often packed with priceless artifacts that the pharaohs could use after death, as it was seen as a transition from one world into the next.
Unexplained Structure
Landreau and his team of researchers discovered that the previously unexplained structure, the Gisr el0Mudir entrance, was actually a “check dam” that was used to capture water and sediment during the construction process.
They also found a series of compartments dug into the ground just outside of the structure, which served as a water treatment facility. This system could have allowed sediment to settle as the water passed through each compartment.
The Volcano Construction
After the water would pass through the series of channels, the pressurized water would float the building stones to the top of the structure in an eternal shaftway.
This type of building method is known as a “volcano” construction.
Further Investigation Needed
Although the researchers note that the “the internal architecture of the Step Pyramid is consistent with a hydraulic elevation device never reported before,” they also say that more investigations are needed.
It’s unknown how many more secretes the Ancient Egyptian pyramids are holding.
More Information on the Ramps
The team also wants to prove definitively how the water flowed through the shafts and how much water was available outside the pyramids four thousand years ago.
They also note that old preconceived ideas of building, like levers, pullies, and ramps, were also used in this type of construction. However, they need to connect all of the dots to understand the full methodology. They conclude: “This work opens a new research line for the scientific community: the use of hydraulic power to build the pyramids of Egypt.”
