Whistling Past the Graveyard

The centuries-old Egyptian pyramids have long remained a major focus of interest for people and scientists. For years, scientists have been trying to solve the mystery of how such massive pyramids were constructed in ancient Egypt thousands of years ago. Now, a possible answer has emerged. Earlier, it was believed that ropes and sledging systems were used to transport stones to the upper sections of the pyramids. However, evidence discovered near the Nile River suggests that experts of that era had already mastered advanced construction techniques centuries before the construction of the Great Pyramid of Giza in the desert. Archaeologists have excavated a 5,000-year-old cemetery-like site near the eastern bank of the Nile River. Two tombs discovered there have construction styles remarkably similar to those of the Egyptian pyramids built centuries later. The walls of these tombs were thicker at the bottom and gradually became narrower toward the top. This design provided greater stability to the structures. Similar techniques were later used in the construction of step pyramids and other large pyramids. Researchers also discovered evidence of ancient methods used to cut stones and wood which were employed in the construction of the tombs. The tombs were discovered in Egypt’s Jabal al-Tayr region where people have been buried for thousands of years. The style of these tombs resembles the tombs of kings in Abydos, one of Egypt’s oldest cities. This suggests that advanced construction techniques may have been widely known across Egypt even before the construction of the pyramids. Researchers said the tombs provide a glimpse into experimental construction methods that may have eventually led to the construction of the Egyptian pyramids. Experts said preliminary analysis indicates that the construction style of these tombs was quite similar to that of the pyramids associated with Egypt’s First Dynasty. Egypt’s First Dynasty ruled the country around 3100 BC. According to Egypt’s Tourism Minister, Sherif Fathy, the new discovery will help researchers understand how these construction techniques evolved throughout ancient Egyptian history. Earlier, in May 2024, researchers discovered a buried branch of the Nile River beneath the desert that once flowed around more than 30 pyramids thousands of years ago. This discovery helped solve the mystery of how ancient Egyptians transported extremely heavy stones to the pyramid construction sites. The 40-mile-long branch of the river once flowed around the Great Pyramid of Giza and other pyramids. Thousands of years ago, it gradually became buried beneath desert sand and agricultural land. According to the research, the presence of this ancient river explains how 31 pyramids were constructed between approximately 4,700 and 3,700 years ago in a valley that has now become a deserted strip of desert. The valley is located near Memphis, the ancient capital of Egypt and is home to the Great Pyramid of Giza, the only surviving wonder of the ancient Seven Wonders of the World. A study published in the journal Nature Communications reported the discovery of this ancient branch of the river. The research team used radar satellite technology to identify the hidden river channel. Surveys of the area and analysis of samples confirmed the presence of the ancient river. According to researchers, the river was once very powerful but may have gradually become buried under sand because of drought around 4,200 years ago. The Great Pyramid of Giza is located just one kilometer from the bank of this buried river. Around 2.3 million stone blocks were used to build the pyramid with each block weighing between 2.5 and 15 tons. Researchers said the ancient river also provides clues about why pyramids were built at different locations. They explained that the river’s course and flow changed over time which may have led Egyptian rulers to construct pyramids at different locations.