The study published in the journal Communications Earth & Environment suggests that an extinct branch of the Nile River once weaved through the landscape in a much wetter climate, providing a possible answer as to how ancient Egyptians were able to transport large limestone blocks to build the pyramids at Giza and other locations along a 40-mile range. The river allowed workers to transport materials, with raised causeways connecting the pyramids to river ports along the Nile’s bank. The research team used data from satellite technology and sediment cores to uncover and trace the imprint of the ancient waterway, helping to map the ancient Nile that is now covered by desert sand and agricultural fields.
The study looks at 31 pyramids constructed over roughly 1,000 years in an area between Lisht and Giza, beginning about 4,700 years ago. These pyramid complexes contained tombs for Egyptian royals, with granite blocks sourced from locations hundreds of miles south of their sites. Movers by sledges would have transported mammoth blocks, some weighing several tons, to the construction sites. The new study supports the theory that the Egyptians moved materials by waterways, possibly with the help of the Nile, as newer tools like ground-penetrating radar and satellite imagery provide more scientific evidence to enhance maps of ancient Egypt.
The research suggests that in ancient times, the Egyptian climate was wetter and the Nile carried a higher volume of water that separated into multiple branches, one of which was about 40 miles long. The pyramid complexes included in the study correspond to the location of this ancient river branch, with several pyramid temples and causeways appearing to align horizontally with the riverbed, indicating a direct connection used for transportation of building materials. The study builds on previous research that used evidence of pollen grains from marsh species to suggest the presence of a waterway cutting through the present-day desert.
The Ahramat Branch of the Nile shifted eastward over time, possibly due to a drought around 4,050 years ago, before gradually dissolving and being covered in silt. The researchers plan to expand their map to detect additional buried branches of the Nile floodplain, which could help locate settlements or undiscovered sites before being built over. The findings highlight how the ancient Egyptians interacted with their environment to achieve monumental projects, shedding light on the innovative methods they used to build the pyramids. The study offers valuable evidence to support and expand the theory that ancient Egyptians utilized waterways to transport materials, contributing to a better understanding of how these structures were constructed in an ancient landscape that has since drastically changed.
