Researchers have put forward a new theory about how Egypt’s first pyramid, the Step Pyramid of Djoser, was constructed. The theory suggests that a hydraulic system was used to lift heavy stone blocks during the building process. This idea is based on the design of the pyramid and the presence of underground tunnels at the site.
According to the theory, floodwater from a walled enclosure near the pyramid was directed to a basin close to Djoser’s burial grounds. During periods of heavy rain, this basin may have turned into a temporary lake, which then drained into a limestone trench surrounding the burial complex. Water from the trench entered two large shafts, one of which was inside the pyramid. This shaft is believed to have been part of a hydraulic lift system used to raise building stones to higher levels.
In this proposed setup, a wooden float would have been connected to a lift platform by ropes and pulleys. As water filled the shaft, the float would rise, pulling the platform up with it. Workers would load stones onto the platform at ground level or through a tunnel located above ground. Once the platform was loaded, the water would be drained, causing the float to descend and lift the stones to new construction levels.
However, some experts are skeptical of this theory. They argue that the amount of water stored in the walled enclosure would not have been sufficient to operate the hydraulic system as proposed. Additionally, the presence of a lake near the pyramid is not supported by ancient Egyptian writings and may not have existed.
Furthermore, the size of the stones used to build Djoser’s pyramid is smaller and lighter compared to those used in later pyramids. This begs the question of whether a complex hydraulic system would have been necessary to move the stones, especially when manpower alone could have been sufficient.
Despite these criticisms, the researcher behind the hydraulic theory calls for more research to be conducted at Djoser’s pyramid. The exact height of the north shaft, which is believed to have been part of the hydraulic lift system, is not known. Further investigation could provide more insights into how the pyramid was constructed and whether a hydraulic system was indeed used.
In conclusion, the hydraulic theory surrounding the construction of Egypt’s first pyramid presents an intriguing possibility, but it also raises questions and challenges that need to be addressed through continued research and excavation at the site. The debate over how the ancient Egyptians built these incredible structures continues, with new discoveries and theories shedding light on the engineering marvels of the past.
