The first pyramid built by ancient Egyptians may have been accomplished using an ingenious hydraulic system. An eye-opening study of the iconic Step Pyramid of Djoser at Saqqara challenges long-held beliefs about pyramid construction techniques and sheds new light on this ancient civilization’s engineering prowess.
The research, published in the journal PLOS ONE, proposes that a complex network of dams, water treatment facilities, and a hydraulic lift mechanism were employed to move massive stone blocks during the pyramid’s construction around 2680 BC. This finding could revolutionize our understanding of how these monumental structures were built.
At the heart of this theory is the idea that the ancient Egyptians harnessed the power of water from nearby wadis – dry riverbeds that occasionally flood during rainy seasons. The researchers identified a previously undocumented watershed west of the Saqqara site, which they believe was crucial to the hydraulic system.
The study suggests that a massive structure called the Gisr el-Mudir, long considered an unfinished building or fortress, actually served as a check dam. This dam would have trapped sediment and regulated water flow from the wadis, creating a controlled water supply for the construction site.
But the most intriguing aspect of this hypothesis is the proposed hydraulic lift mechanism. The researchers suggest that the ancient builders created a system of shafts and chambers within the pyramid itself, which could be filled with water. A large wooden float placed in this shaft could then be used to lift heavy stone blocks as the water level rose.
This method would have allowed the ancient Egyptians to raise massive stones with relatively little manpower, potentially explaining how they were able to build such enormous structures in a relatively short time.
Source: https://studyfinds.org/ancient-egyptian-step-pyramid-hydraulic-system/?nab=0