Egypt’s oldest necropolis is the Step Pyramid of Djoser, built around 2,680 BCE in Saqqara. The pyramid, standing at roughly 205 feet tall, is surrounded by ceremonial structures in a large courtyard. While ancient Egyptians used various tools for construction, a recent study suggests a hydraulic lift system involving a nearby lake was also utilized.
This new evidence, presented by a team at France’s CEA Paleotechnic Institute in the journal PLOS One, combines satellite imagery, geospatial data analysis, and watershed information. The team proposes that a nearby structure, previously unidentified, may have functioned as a check dam to capture water and sediment. Check dams are simple designs used to slow water flows, and in this case, it may have helped power the hydraulic lift system used in building the Step Pyramid.
The hydraulic lift mechanism likely involved a water source flowing through compartments, allowing sediment to settle before reaching the pyramid shafts used to position the massive building stones. This system not only assisted in construction but also may have served as a water treatment facility, a concept uncommon in many ancient societies. The Pyramid of Djoser’s hydraulic lift predates other known examples by potentially hundreds or thousands of years, showcasing the advanced engineering of the ancient Egyptians.
Researchers believe the lift’s floating platform could reach heights of up to 55 feet, with potential modifications for further elevation using collapsible structures. The platform may have also acted as a counterweight through pulley-and-rope systems, in addition to employing ramps and levees in construction. The intermittent use of the hydraulic lift depended on water availability, indicating a sophisticated understanding of resource management by the ancient architects.
The revolutionary nature of the hydraulic lift mechanism challenges previous beliefs about ancient Egyptian construction capabilities. Researchers suggest that the system’s utility extended beyond pyramid building, playing a key role in water treatment and civil planning. Their foresight in creating a hospitable environment in Saqqara for settlement, agriculture, water access, and shelter demonstrates the depth of ancient Egyptian engineering and planning.
The team’s findings hint at the possibility of similar systems in other Old Kingdom pyramids and potentially even earlier structures. Further exploration and analysis of these ruins are essential to uncovering the full extent of ancient Egyptian engineering achievements.
