The magnificent stepped pyramid that towers over the Saqqara necropolis in ancient Egypt is one of the wonders of the ancient world.
Built approximately 4,500 years ago, the tomb of Pharaoh Djoser is the oldest known of Egypt’s massive stone structures. It is not only a monument to the king’s achievements, but also a tribute to the engineering ingenuity of the people who inhabited this land thousands of years ago.
How this architectural marvel was constructed, especially because it differs so markedly from previous buildings, has been of great interest to archaeologists and historians.
A team led by Egyptologist Xavier Landreau of the French Paleotechnics may have discovered an important clue.
They argue that the previously undescribed structure at Saqqara was actually a reservoir dam, supporting the hypothesis that hydraulic lifts helped move materials used to build the pyramids.
This claim is supported by the discovery of several other features, which researchers interpret as the remains of a new type of hydraulic lift: a central shaft through which water flowed down, like volcanic lava, to move large boulders to the top of the pyramid.
This new interpretation of the structure not only helps explain the pyramid’s construction, but also neatly ties together several other previously unknown features of Saqqara.
“Based on an interdisciplinary analysis, this study provides the first insight into the function and construction of several large structures discovered at the Saqqara archaeological site.” The researchers wrote in the paper:.
“Our results show that the Gisr el-Mudir enclosure has the characteristics of a check dam to retain sediment and water, while the Deep Trench combines the technical requirements of a water treatment plant to remove sediment and turbidity. Together, these two structures form an integrated hydraulic system that increases the purity of the water and regulates its flow to suit practical uses and essential needs. Among the possible uses, our analysis suggests that this sediment-free water could be used to build pyramids with a hydraulic elevator system.”
The Pyramid of Djoser is very impressive. It is a huge limestone structure rising above the surrounding cemetery, with six ‘steps’ forming a unique and symbolic backdrop to the sky.
The construction of this building marked a turning point in ancient Egyptian civilization, marking the emergence of massive tombs where kings and queens were buried before passing on to the afterlife.
However, there are a few structures around here that have less clear purposes.
that much Gisr el Mudir The enclosure is a large rectangular wall that surrounds a space that could comfortably accommodate several football fields, just a few hundred meters from the pyramid. A series of pits are also carved into the ground outside the pyramid. deep trench Surrounding the pyramid.
Researchers believe these structures may be related. According to their study, the enclosures may have served the following functions: Check the damIt was designed to collect water from the floodplain that once filled the area. Channeling the water through ditches would have helped filter out sediment as the water passed through each section.
Clear water flowing through ditches across the dam and through shafts in the pyramid under construction could be used to raise wooden platforms and lift heavy materials to where they were needed.
It is a novel proposal that needs to be supported beyond the models that suggest it is possible. For example, we do not know how much water was in the area when the pyramids were built, or how the water flowing in and out of the pyramid shafts might have been controlled.
It is also worth noting that other means of transport were likely used, at least to lift heavy materials or to lift when water supplies were too low to operate lifts. So the possibility of using hydraulic lift technology does not invalidate previous studies on how the structure was designed. It is likely that, as today, there was a mix of technologies to suit different needs.
What the study highlights is that we may have underestimated the ingenuity of the ancient Egyptians and that we need to take a closer look at their pyramid-building techniques.
“The hydraulic lifting mechanism appears to be a revolution in the construction of stone structures and is unparalleled in our civilization.” The researchers wrote:.
“This technology demonstrates both superior energy management and efficient logistics, which may have reduced the need for human labour while also providing significant construction opportunities. It also raises the question of whether other Old Kingdom pyramids besides the Step Pyramid were built using a similar, potentially upgraded process, which requires further investigation.”
This study was published in: PLOS ONE.
