New research regarding the Egyptian pyramids has uncovered that advanced technology was used to build them 4,500 years ago, challenging previous understandings of how they were formed.
When considering some of the greatest landmarks across Earth it's not hard to immediately think of the ancient pyramids found in Egypt, as these multi-millennia-old structures almost defy logical understand.
There have been many attempts to decipher the 'mystery' behind their formation, and scientists have theorized about the numerous techniques used to complex the otherwise impossible building process, but new archaeological research indicates a method that was seemingly far beyond what was previously understood.
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Initially, it was though that the step-based pyramids were built using ramps, levers, and an unbelievable amount of man power, but as reported by Indy 100, scientists have discovered that ancient Egyptians likely used nearby canals to harness hydraulic power, allowing them to lift the heavy blocks with greater ease.
The study, published in PLOS ONE and lead by Xavier Landreau, outlines: "Based on our mapping of the nearby watersheds, we show that one of the unexplained massive Saqqara structures, the Gisr el-Mudir enclosure, has the features of a check dam with the intent to trap and sediment.
"Together, the Gisr el-Mudir and the Dry Moat's inner south section work as a unified hydraulic system that improves water quality and regulated flow for practical purposes and human needs."
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What this discovery afforded was the understanding that these check dam structures allowed Egyptians to utilize a "hydraulic elevation mechanism never reported before," indicating another instance where they pioneered mechanical evolution - in this case linked to some of the most recognizable structures across the world.
What's more, the study indicates that "the ancient architects could have raised the stones from inside the pyramid, in a volcano fashion," turning the previously understood process for building these structures on its head.
It's far more complex and mechanically advanced than the notion of blocks being pulled along the sand, and it's now easier to understand the supposed 'mystery' behind how these incredible monuments were built in a time when it seemed otherwise impossible.
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Not only are the pyramids themselves given a greater understanding, but also the surrounding structures that architects have largely struggled to truly understand.
What also remains important within this research is how it opens further pathways for additional discovery, as this is likely only the beginning of what will hopefully result in a wider understanding of the architectural processes.