Myriad mysteries surround the ancient pyramids of Egypt, but scientists believe they’ve unraveled one significant puzzle.
Researchers at the University of North Carolina Wilmington have uncovered a long-buried branch of the Nile River, which may have been crucial for transporting construction materials to the pyramids. Utilizing geophysical surveys, sediment samples, and satellite remote sensing, the team confirmed the branch’s location. The satellite technology offered a unique ability to penetrate the ground and reveal hidden paleo-rivers and structures, according to the study.
This discovery might also shed light on other enigmas of Egypt’s past. According to a press release, the findings could explain why the pyramids are concentrated in a narrow, now “inhospitable” strip of the Sahara.
Though archaeologists have long suspected that ancient Egyptians used a waterway to transport stones for building the pyramids, the exact location of this waterway had remained elusive. Lead author Eman Ghoneim stated, “Our research offers the first map of one of the main ancient branches of the Nile at such a large scale and links it with the largest pyramid fields of Egypt.”
Take a virtual walking tour of the pyramids to delve deeper into this fascinating discovery.
