(DailyEmailNews.com) – It seems that an ancient mystery has been solved, as a recent study has revealed the surprising method behind the construction of the Great Pyramids: water power.
Despite the arid environment of deserts, the research published in the Public Library of Science journal Plos One suggests that ancient Egyptians might have used water to build these monumental structures.
Historically, it was believed that the Egyptians constructed the Step Pyramid of Djoser, which dates back about 4,500 years, using ramps and levers.
However, this new study introduces a novel theory that they might have used canals, like those used for irrigation and transporting massive stones, to build pyramids.
“Ancient Egyptians are famous for their pioneering and mastery of hydraulics through canals for irrigation purposes and barges to transport huge stones,” the researchers noted.
They believe this technique extended to the pyramids, stating, “This work opens a new line of research: the use of hydraulic force to erect the massive structures built by Pharaohs.”
The study suggests that the builders may have used pressurized water to elevate the pyramid’s building stones via an internal shaft, employing a method the researchers describe as “volcano” construction.
They discovered signs of a sophisticated water filtration and hydraulic system at the Step Pyramid site that drew water from nearby canals, purifying and controlling its flow for construction use.
Additionally, the researchers speculate that the Step Pyramid was positioned downstream from a watershed and near the Gisr el-Mudir enclosure, which they hypothesize was a large sediment trap featuring an open check dam.
They also identified what might have been a seasonal lake west of the pyramid.
They hypothesize that this lake filled a dry moat around the pyramid complex, connecting to a deep trench that channeled water underground and into the pyramid’s shaft.
“We have uncovered a possible explanation for how the pyramids were built involving hydraulic force,” the researchers concluded.
They also suggested that the Step Pyramid’s internal structure supports the existence of a previously unreported hydraulic elevation device.
The findings open up new avenues for research into the workings of this potential water lift system and its application in pyramid construction.
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