A recent study conducted by Xavier Landreau and other researchers has presented an innovative theory about the construction of the first Egyptian pyramid, the Pyramid of Djoser in Saqqara, proposing the use of a hydraulic system as a key tool in the construction process.

The article, uploaded by its authors to Research Gate, is based on a detailed analysis of the geography, hydrology, and archaeology of the Saqqara region, revealing evidence that the ancient Egyptians might have used hydraulic power to lift large stone blocks during the construction of the pyramid.

The research begins with a comprehensive analysis of the hydrological network of Saqqara. The authors identify that the pyramid site was strategically located in a watershed basin west of the famous structure known as Gisr el-Mudir. This basin, which extends over an area of approximately 15 km², might have been connected to a larger basin of about 400 km² that once formed part of the Bahr Bela Ma River, a tributary of the Nile known as Wadi Taflah.

The proposed hydraulic construction system
The proposed hydraulic construction system. Credit: X. Landreau et al.

Wadi Abusir, a key structural element in the early development of Saqqara, is also mentioned in the study as a potential source of water resources. According to the analysis, Wadi Abusir could have fed an ephemeral lake, called the Upper Lake of Abusir, located west of the Djoser complex. This temporary lake might have been linked to the hydrological corridor of Unas and the “Dry Moat” surrounding the Djoser complex, facilitating navigation and transportation of materials.

One of the most interesting revelations of the study is the discovery of an extremely advanced water management system in Saqqara. This system includes the Gisr el-Mudir control dam and a water treatment system known as the “Deep Trench.” The Deep Trench, consisting of a series of rock-carved compartments connected by a channel, is comparable to a modern water treatment system, which includes a sedimentation pond, a retention pond, and a purification system.

The core of the study is the hypothesis that the ancient Egyptians used a hydraulic lifting mechanism to aid in the construction of the Step Pyramid of Djoser. According to the authors, the internal architecture of the pyramid is consistent with a hydraulic lifting device, a technique never before documented in the history of Egyptian engineering. The researchers suggest that ancient architects might have lifted the stones from inside the pyramid, similar to a volcano, using water pressure to move the construction blocks.

North-south cross-section of the Staggered Pyramid and General view of the network of tunnels surrounding the north pit.
North-south cross-section of the Staggered Pyramid and General view of the network of tunnels surrounding the north pit. Credit: X. Landreau et al.

The research presents a simple mechanical model illustrating this concept, evaluating its water consumption and load capacity. Based on estimates of the water resources of the Wadi Taflah basin during the Old Kingdom, the model’s results indicate that the magnitude of available water was consistent with the pyramid’s construction needs.

To support their hypothesis, the researchers conducted an exhaustive analysis of high-resolution satellite images and digital elevation models using advanced GIS (Geographic Information System) technology. This approach allowed them to identify the impact of Abusir’s paleohydrological network on the Djoser construction project, offering a visual representation of how the ancient Egyptians might have exploited the natural landscape for their architectural goals.

Additionally, numerical modeling was conducted to study water consumption, lifting cycles, and well filling during the pyramid’s construction. The results showed that raising the pyramid’s initial layers required significantly less water than the mid-height layers due to the limited initial elevation gain.

Virtual reconstruction of the maneuvering chamber of the proposed hydraulic system
Virtual reconstruction of the maneuvering chamber of the proposed hydraulic system. Credit: X. Landreau et al.

According to the researchers, constructing a pyramid up to its final height of 62.5 meters would require a minimum volume of 18 Mm³, corresponding to 0.6-0.9 Mm³/year over a period of 20-30 years. These values only provide an initial estimate and do not account for water losses caused by infiltration and other factors.

This study suggests that the ancient Egyptians possessed advanced knowledge of hydraulic systems much earlier than previously thought. The research raises questions about whether these technologies were developed exclusively during Djoser’s reign or if they already existed beforehand, implying that the pyramid might have been a long-term project that developed over several reigns.

The article concludes by highlighting the importance of conducting geological studies and sampling analyses both inside and outside the areas of interest to obtain a more accurate understanding of the proposed hydraulic system’s operational period.

This new approach to understanding the construction of Egyptian pyramids opens the door to future research on the use of hydraulic technologies in other ancient structures. Furthermore, it raises the possibility that other ancient civilizations might also have employed similar techniques.

SOURCES

Xavier Landreau, Guillaume Piton, et al., On the possible use of hydraulic force to assist with building the Step Pyramid of Saqqara. Research Gate

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