Could Waterpower Have Built Egypt’s Oldest Pyramid? New Study Explores Possibility

A study, published on Monday in the journal PloS ONE reported a fascinating theory about Egypt’s oldest known pyramid, the Step Pyramid of Djoser at Saqqara. Nearly 4,700 years ago, ancient builders may have used a waterpower hydraulic system to lift the massive stone blocks needed for its construction. According to a study published in PLOS ONE, scientists propose that controlled water flows lifted and lowered platforms within a large shaft inside the pyramid. Xavier Landreau of Paleotechnic and his team suggest that this system, if it existed, showcased an advanced understanding of hydraulics by the ancient Egyptians. However, some researchers remain unconvinced, pointing out logistical challenges and lack of historical evidence.

The proposed hydraulic system is derived from computer models using data from the pyramid’s internal features and ancient rainfall patterns. A walled enclosure known as Gisr el-Mudir captured floodwater, which then drained into a limestone trench encircling Djoser’s burial complex. This water would enter large shafts containing granite chambers, creating a hydraulic lift system to transport stone blocks to higher levels.

Sceptics argue that Gisr el-Mudir could not have held enough water to sustain such a system, and no ancient texts mention the proposed lake. Moreover, the average weight of Djoser’s pyramid stones was about 300 kilograms, making manual transportation feasible without a complex waterpower hydraulic device. Despite these doubts, Landreau calls for further research to explore the pyramid’s construction techniques and the potential extent of the hydraulic system.

For more information visit: PLOS ONE – Hydraulic System in Ancient Egypt