For centuries, many have tried to explain how the towering pyramids of Egypt were constructed. Did the invention owe its creation to manpower, engineering or was there some form of sorcery involved? New studies present some explanations for the architecture of the Step Pyramid at Saqqara, Egypt. Early Egyptians used a hydraulic lift system to lift the large stones that make up the structure of the pyramids, research says.
This research, led by Dr Xavier Landreau and his team, was published on August 5, 2024, in PLOS ONE– an open-access journal.
The Step Pyramid was built around 2680 BCE for Pharaoh Djoser. The true purpose of the structure is still a matter of debate, but it set off new developments in the architecture of the period in terms of the pyramid shape and the use of dressed stone masonry. However, the specific techniques used in the construction of this building have yet to be fully discovered even after detailed study.
About Hydraulic Lift Theory:
According to researchers, designers incorporated a hydraulic lift system into the pyramid. This system would have involved two main components:
Water Flow Control: Water could seep into two shafts found inside the pyramid. These shafts would enable water to be raised and lowered, thus to lift or descend a platform on which the blocks of stone would rest.
Floating Mechanism: A large wooden float tied with the help of ropes would be put in to manage the equal weight of the stones. As water filled the shaft, the float would rise, thus lowering the platform to enable the positioning of the stones.
Key to this theory is the discovery of surrounding structures that may have functioned as part of an integrated hydraulic system:
Gisr el-Mudir Enclosure: This huge structure revealed some features of a check dam used in controlling water flow and acting as a sediment trap. It probably exercised important functions in controlling the water supply for construction purposes.
Dry Moat: Around the base of the pyramid there were more rooms which could have been the settling basins, meant to enhance water quality before entering the hydraulics.
This hydraulic lift theory not only lays criticism on previous theories based mainly on ramps and manpower to explain how the pyramids were constructed but also tells us about the precise knowledge of hydraulics the ancient Egyptians had. Should this theory be proven by future research, it will cause a tremendous shift in the way scientists and engineers understand the construction techniques of ancient civilizations.
The proposed hydraulic lift would also mean a reduction in labour intensity where large stones can be raised without much effort as compared to manual handling techniques.
Utilising water as the medium for lifting could allow more accurate positioning of the stones needed for the pyramid’s design stability.
The authors note that the results of the study call for further research to validate them. Key areas for future research include:
On-site Studies: Examining hidden passages and tunnels within the pyramid and analyzing the cross-sectional areas of rivers and valleys in and around the region to estimate available water supply.
Modelling Water Flow: Computer modelling has to be done to establish how water might have been flowing through the shafts and on the lifting mechanisms.
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