A recent theory proposed by engineers suggests that the ancient Egyptians used a hydraulic lift system involving water, wooden floats, ropes, and a lift platform to raise and lower building stones during the construction of the pyramids, particularly the Step Pyramid of Djoser built around 2680 BCE.
The theory was proposed by Paleotechnic, a Paris-based private research institute studying ancient technologies.
The theory is based on the discovery of a vast hydraulic complex at Saqqarah, including basins, trenches, tunnels, and a sediment trap called Gisr el-Mudir, which could have facilitated a water management system for the proposed lift system.
Experts and Egyptologists have expressed skepticism about the feasibility of this theory, citing limited rainfall during the Old Kingdom period, and favoring traditional ramp construction methods based on evidence like small ramps and inclined causeways found at other pyramids.
This article was written in collaboration with Generative AI news company Alchemiq
Sources: Newsweek, CNN, Ars Technica, Science News, Le Monde, Yahoo, Live Science, Komsomolskaya Pravda, Daily Caller, Scientias, Si Viaggia, 9News, Noticias Ya, Lao Dong, AOL, KEYT, Le Figaro.