Ancient Nile River Branch Key to Egypt's Pyramid Construction Revealed by Archaeologists

The mystery of how Egypt's pyramids were constructed may have been solved as archaeologists identify an ancient branch of the Nile River, the Ahramat Branch, believed to have played a crucial role in transporting construction materials and laborers. Research indicates that this 40-mile branch, vanished around 4,200 years ago, facilitated the movement of goods to pyramid sites, serving as a vital harbor during its time.

Archaeologists have potentially resolved the long-standing mystery of how Egypt's pyramids were constructed, suggesting that an ancient, now-extinct branch of the Nile River played a crucial role. This branch, recently identified through satellite imagery, geophysical surveys, and sediment cores, is believed to have served as a transportation conduit for construction materials and laborers.

Approximately 4,700 years ago, during the construction period of the pyramids, this 40-mile branch, named the Ahramat Branch, ran parallel to the Nile west of its current course. It is thought to have facilitated the movement of goods and building materials, including granite from Aswan, to the pyramids' sites. Research led by Eman Ghoneim from the University of North Carolina Wilmington indicates that this branch was half a kilometer wide and 25 meters deep in places.

The research, published in the journal Communications Earth and Environment, connects this ancient waterway to pyramid construction, revealing that many pyramids' causeways led directly to this branch, suggesting its use as a harbor. The Ahramat Branch is believed to have silted up and vanished due to increased windblown sand and a major drought around 4,200 years ago. This discovery provides new insights into the logistical undertakings of ancient Egypt, emphasizing the Nile's significant role in the development of Egyptian civilization.