Ancient Nile branch discovered as possible key to pyramid construction

In Egypt, a landmark discovery related to the construction of the pyramids has been made by Dr Eman Ghoneim. Utilizing radar satellite data from space, she studied an ancient branch of the River Nile, now dried up, which once flowed through Giza. This significant waterway, which connected Giza to Faiyum, passed through 38 different pyramid sites and was likely substantial in size, possibly wider than half a kilometer in some sections. The discovery suggests that the pyramids were constructed with materials transported via this waterway, raising questions about their strategic location along the banks of this now-defunct river. While the exact timeline of the river's activity during the Old and Middle Kingdoms, around 4,700 years ago, remains uncertain, evidence points to the pyramids being constructed near its banks. This proximity implies that they may have functioned as valley temples or ancient ports, utilized for loading and unloading materials needed for the colossal structures. The implications of Ghoneim’s findings extend beyond just the pyramids; they may help uncover lost parts of ancient Egyptian civilization that have yet to be rediscovered. As branches of the Nile naturally migrated over the centuries, entire towns and cities could have silted up and disappeared, leaving historians with no clue as to their original locations. Ghoneim emphasizes that understanding these ancient waterways is crucial not only for the study of the pyramids but also for piecing together the broader historical narrative of ancient Egypt. Presenting her research at the 13th Congress of Egyptologists earlier this year, Ghoneim expressed that the ancient waterway, referred to as the Ahramat Branch, provides an essential puzzle piece in understanding the construction and logistics behind the pyramids. The findings invoke further interest in exploring how such waterways may have influenced the development of ancient civilization, revealing connections between geography and monumental architecture that long ago seemed lost to time. With the absence of evidence confirming the river's functionality during the pyramid construction periods, ongoing research into these ancient landscapes promises to yield more insights into the socio-political dynamics of ancient Egypt and the complexities surrounding its monumental building feats.