Fabulous

Mystery of Pyramid Placement Solved: Why They Chose the Desert

Published 5 months ago on May 17, 2024

North Carolina - May 17, 2024 - The Nile's Lost Embrace: New Theory Explains Placement of Egyptian Pyramids.

A team of researchers from the University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW) may have cracked the code on a long-standing mystery: the placement of Egypt's iconic pyramids in what is now a desolate desert landscape. Their findings, published in a recent study, suggest the pyramids were originally built alongside a long-lost branch of the Nile River, a lush green ribbon that has vanished beneath the sands of time.

The sight of the majestic Egyptian pyramids rising from the arid expanse of the Sahara Desert is a powerful image, yet it presents a puzzling question. Why would such monumental structures be built so far from the life-giving waters of the Nile River, the historical lifeline of Egyptian civilization? The nearest major water source is currently located a staggering five miles away.

UNCW researchers, led by Dr. Eman Ghoneim, believe they have the answer. Through meticulous analysis of satellite imagery and by meticulously collecting soil samples, they have uncovered compelling evidence for the existence of a previously unknown branch of the Nile River, the Ahramat Branch. This ancient waterway, estimated to be 40 miles long (64 kilometers), would have flowed near the pyramid fields, transforming the surrounding landscape into a fertile oasis.

The Ahramat Branch, the researchers propose, would have extended the verdant strip of land nurtured by the Nile River further into the desert. This lush environment would have offered significant advantages to the pyramid builders, facilitating transportation of materials and potentially serving as a source of sustenance for the workforce.

The study highlights a crucial link between the proposed Ahramat Branch and the pyramids themselves. Many pyramids, particularly those from the Old and Middle Kingdoms, feature causeways that lead directly towards the theorized location of the riverbank. These causeways often terminate in Valley Temples, which the researchers posit may have functioned as river harbors in the past.

Dr. Ghoneim's team further bolstered their theory by employing geophysical surveys and sediment core analysis. These techniques allowed them to peer beneath the surface of the modern desert landscape, revealing the presence of river sediments and remnants of ancient channels.

The researchers theorize that a major drought, estimated to have occurred around 4,200 years ago, may have been the culprit behind the Ahramat Branch's disappearance. This significant decrease in rainfall could have drastically reduced the Nile's flow, leading to the eventual drying up of the branch.

"Our research offers the first large-scale map of a major ancient branch of the Nile River," explains Dr. Ghoneim, "and crucially, it links this lost waterway to the largest pyramid fields in Egypt." This discovery sheds new light on the logistical challenges faced by the pyramid builders and offers a more holistic understanding of the relationship between these iconic structures and the life-giving river that sustained ancient Egyptian civilization.

The UNCW team's findings not only provide a compelling explanation for the placement of the pyramids but also open exciting avenues for further research. By investigating the possibility of additional lost Nile branches, archaeologists may unlock even more secrets about the ingenuity and resourcefulness of ancient Egypt. The sands of time may hold hidden clues, waiting to be revealed by the relentless pursuit of knowledge.

Comments

Written news comments are in no way https://www.showbizglow.com it does not reflect the opinions and thoughts of. Comments are binding on the person who wrote them.