New Study Sheds Light on How Ancient Egyptians Constructed Their First Pyramid

One of the most enduring and debated questions about the pyramids is how the ancient Egyptians managed to elevate millions of massive limestone blocks to construct these monumental structures that have stood for nearly five millennia.

For years, experts have believed that skilled Egyptian workers (not slaves) employed a combination of ramps, sledges, ropes, and levers to build the pyramids. However, a new study by engineers—rather than archaeologists—suggests that ancient builders might have also used water to aid in the construction of Egypt's oldest pyramid.

This research focuses on the stepped pyramid built by Pharaoh Djoser around 2680 B.C.E., the earliest known pyramid in Egypt. The study proposes that a sophisticated water management system, including a hydraulic lift, was used to raise the limestone blocks. This would have allowed the pyramid to be constructed in a "volcano" style, according to the new findings.

The research was conducted by a team of French engineers and hydrologists using satellite radar images and over a century of archaeological reports. Published as a pre-print on ResearchGate, the study reveals a new construction method and underscores the advanced technical knowledge of ancient Egyptian builders.

The team analyzed various features of Djoser's pyramid complex, discovering that they resembled water management systems. Dr. Xavier Landreau, the lead engineer and material scientist, points out that the stepped pyramid complex, located on the Saqqara Plateau, includes a series of water control structures.

One significant finding is the Gisr el-Mudir, a large rectangular stone enclosure west of the pyramid complex. Previously interpreted as a cattle pen, fortress, or sacred space, it is now believed to be a check dam used to manage flash floods from the Abusir Wadi. This wadi, a seasonal stream from the western desert, would have been crucial for controlling water flow and sediment during Djoser's reign, when the climate was wetter than today.

The study also highlights the presence of an artificial lake and a deep trench south of the complex, which appears to function as a traditional water purification system. This system would have clarified water before it was used for construction.

Additionally, the team examined a vertical shaft in the center of Djoser's pyramid, previously thought to be a burial chamber. The granite box found at the bottom of the shaft was likely a mechanism to raise an elevator by filling the chamber with water, allowing the construction of the pyramid in stages.

While traditional methods like ramps and sledges were still likely used, this innovative water lift system, attributed to the architect Imhotep, could have significantly contributed to the pyramid's construction. The study suggests that this water-based method might have been used during Djoser's time and possibly adapted for later pyramids.

The French team is now investigating whether similar water-powered techniques were employed in the construction of the later Fourth Dynasty pyramids, including the Great Pyramid of Cheops, or if drier conditions made such methods impractical. Further research will determine if Djoser's hydraulic lift was an isolated innovation or part of a broader approach to pyramid construction.