A Water Elevator: New Hypothesis on the Construction of the Saqqara Pyramid
The step pyramid of Saqqara represents an enigma for archaeologists, especially regarding the used construction method
The Step Pyramid of Saqqara, the oldest of the Egyptian pyramids, might have been built using a hydraulic system. This is suggested by a study published in Plos One (https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0306690).
Constructed around 2680 BC as a funerary complex for Pharaoh Djoser of the Third Dynasty, the Step Pyramid of Saqqara remains an enigma for archaeologists, especially regarding the construction method used. The recent interdisciplinary analysis by the French team proposes a fascinating hypothesis: the use of a water elevator to lift the heavy construction stones.
According to the study, the nearby Gisr el-Mudir enclosure, a structure whose function remains mysterious, might have played a crucial role. The scientists suggest that this enclosure acted as a control dam to capture water and sediments. Once channeled, the water passed through a series of compartments dug into the ground around the pyramid, which functioned as a water treatment facility. The sediments settled while the water flow was filtered from one compartment to another, allowing the purified water to converge into two wells located within the pyramid itself.
The force of the water rising in the wells could have lifted floats carrying the construction stones, thus facilitating the transport of materials necessary for the pyramid's construction. If confirmed, this system would prove the technical capabilities of the ancient Egyptians.
The authors of the study highlight that, in addition to hydraulic lifting, the Egyptians might have also used other construction methods, such as ramps. However, the combination of traditional and hydraulic techniques could have optimized the construction process, especially during periods when water was abundant in the region.
As promising as this hypothesis is, further research is needed to fully validate it. In particular, it will be crucial to determine how much water was available during the construction period of the pyramid and understand how the water flow through the wells was regulated. If confirmed, this discovery could revolutionize our understanding of the construction techniques used in ancient Egypt and add a new chapter to the history of the Saqqara pyramid.
