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The research, recently published in the online journal PLOS ONE, explores the techniques used to build the famous Step Pyramid of Djoser in Saqqara.
For decades, Egypt's pyramids have fascinated academics, adventurers, and conspiracy theorists alike. Many have speculated that these ancient structures were built by extraterrestrials, overlooking the ingenuity of humans even 5,000 years ago.
Now, a new study reveals that Egypt's oldest pyramid may have been constructed using technology far more advanced than previously thought- specifically, involving water.
The research, recently published in the online journal PLOS ONE, explores the techniques used to build the famous Step Pyramid of Djoser in Saqqara. Covering an area of 13,189 square meters and standing 62.5 meters high, the 4,500-year-old pyramid is one of the most remarkable structures of its time.
While experts previously believed the pyramid was constructed using interconnected ramps and levers to move heavy materials, the new study suggests that the builders may have utilized a hydraulic lift system.
Xavier Landreau of France's CEA Paleotechnic Institute proposed that the ancient Egyptians might have harnessed nearby canals to power lifts for moving heavy stones. Based on new analysis, the study suggests that water was directed into the pyramid through two shafts, which helped raise and lower a float carrying large stone blocks.
The researchers wrote: "Ancient Egyptians are renowned for their pioneering hydraulic engineering, using canals for irrigation and barges to transport massive stones. This research opens up a new area of exploration: the use of hydraulic power in constructing the Pharaohs' massive structures."
The Step Pyramid, built around 2680 BC as a funerary complex for Pharaoh Djoser of the Third Dynasty, remains an enigma, and determining exactly how it was built is challenging.
One nearby structure, the Gisr el-Mudir enclosure, which has long puzzled experts, may provide further insight. Landreau and his team argue that it functioned as a "check dam" to capture water and sediment. The researchers also suggest that the pyramid may have featured a water treatment facility, with a series of compartments allowing sediment to settle as water flowed through, eventually pressurizing the shafts within the pyramid. This process, known as "volcano" construction, could have lifted building blocks using the rising water.
Despite these groundbreaking findings, the team acknowledges that further investigation is needed. They plan to simulate how this hydraulic system might have worked and whether the region's environment at the time could have supported such a method.
The paper also notes that traditional techniques, like ramp systems, were likely used alongside the hydraulic lift. Landreau and his colleagues conclude: "This study opens a new line of research for the scientific community: the use of hydraulic power in building Egypt's pyramids."
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The Step Pyramid of Djoser in Saqqara, Egypt, is considered the oldest of the seven monumental pyramids built about 4,500 years ago. From transdisciplinary analysis, it was discovered that a hydraulic lift may have been used to build the pyramid.
Based on our mapping of the nearby watersheds, we show that one of the unexplained massive Saqqara structures, the Gisr el-Mudir enclosure, has the features of a check dam with the intent to trap sediment and water. The topography beyond the dam suggests a possible ephemeral lake west of the Djoser complex and water flow inside the ’Dry Moat’ surrounding it. In the southern section of the moat, we show that the monumental linear rock-cut structure consisting of successive, deep compartments combines the technical requirements of a water treatment facility: a settling basin, a retention basin, and a purification system.
Together, the Gisr el-Mudir and the Dry Moat’s inner south section work as a unified hydraulic system that improves water quality and regulates flow for practical purposes and human needs. Finally, we identified that the Step Pyramid’s internal architecture is consistent with a hydraulic elevation mechanism never reported before. The ancient architects may have raised the stones from the pyramid centre in a volcano fashion using the sediment-free water from the Dry Moat’s south section.
Ancient Egyptians are famous for their pioneering and mastery of hydraulics through canals for irrigation purposes and barges to transport huge stones. This work opens a new line of research: the use of hydraulic force to erect the massive structures built by Pharaohs.
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New study shows Egypt’s pyramids were built using ingenious machine
The discovery could be a huge step forward in our understanding For millennia, Egypt’s pyramids have captured the minds and imaginations of academics, adventurers and conspiracy theorists alike.
Often people like to suggest that these ancient monuments were the construction of extra-terrestrials, however ignore the fact that us humans are pretty clever things, even almost 5000 years ago.
Now a new study has shown that Egypt’s oldest pyramid was built with technology far more sophisticated than we could have imagined, and it involved water.
The idea comes from a paper recently published on the 5 August on the online journal Plos One and suggested what equipment may have been employed in constructing the famous Step Pyramid of Djoser in Saqqara.
The 4500 year old pyramid covers an area of 13,189m and reaches a height of 62.5m making it one of the most impressive structures of its day.
Previously, experts had thought that the pyramid was built with interconnecting ramps and levers to haul up the heavy building material, however the new study suggest they may have had help from a hydraulic lift system.
Xavier Landreau of France’s CEA Paleotechnic Institute, brought forward the idea that the Ancient Egyptians may have channelled nearby canals to power lifts for moving heavy objects.
Based on new analysis, the study suggests that water was channelled into the pyramid through the use of two shafts which were then used to help raise and lower a float with the heavy stone building blocks aboard.
The researchers wrote: “Ancient Egyptians are famous for their pioneering and mastery of hydraulics through canals for irrigation purposes and barges to transport huge stones.
“This work opens a new line of research: the use of hydraulic force to erect the massive structures built by Pharaohs.”
Like many of the pyramids, the Step Pyramid is thought to have been constructed in around 2680 BC as a funerary complex and tomb for the pharaoh Djoser of the Third Dynasty.
Being erected so long ago, it is hard to ever be certain how these incredible structures were indeed built.
One nearby and previously unexplained structure, the Gisr el-Murdir enclosure could help further our understanding, with Landreau and his colleagues arguing that it was in fact a “check dam” used for capturing water and sediment.
Furthermore, the team postulate that the pyramid may have even had its own water treatment facility, with a series of compartments dug into the ground outside the pyramid, enabling the sediment to settle as water passed through each ensuing section.
The water would then become pressurised as it flowed into the pyramids shafts, enacting a process known as “volcano” construction as the water rose up a vertical shaft inside the pyramid, taking the float with the building blocks on top of it with it.
Despite the researchers’ unprecedented new discovery that “the internal architecture of the Step Pyramid is consistent with a hydraulic elevation device never reported before.” the team admit further investigation is needed.
They now aim to simulate how the hydraulic process would have happened as well as if the environment of the area at the time could support such water usage.
However, the paper maintains that other techniques, such as the classic ramp system, were likely used in the construction of the structure with the hydraulic lift being used in assistance when possible.
Landreau and his colleagues conclude: “This work opens a new research line for the scientific community: the use of hydraulic power to build the pyramids of Egypt.”
