Researchers uncover ancient Nile channel linking 31 pyramids

Sign up for CNN’s Wonder Theory science newsletter to stay updated on fascinating discoveries, scientific advancements, and more.

Egypt’s Great Pyramid and other ancient monuments at Giza are located on a secluded strip of land near the edge of the Sahara Desert.

Archaeologists have long been intrigued by the challenging location of the pyramids, with some discovering clues that suggest the Nile River played a role in the construction of these landmarks around 4,700 years ago.

A recent study, published in the journal Communications Earth & Environment on Thursday, utilized satellite imaging and sediment core analysis to reveal a 64-kilometer (40-mile) dried-up branch of the Nile that had been hidden beneath farmland and desert for centuries.

Lead study author Eman Ghoneim, a professor at the University of North Carolina Wilmington, noted that previous efforts to reconstruct the early Nile waterways focused on collecting soil samples from small sites. However, this approach only allowed for the mapping of fragmented sections of the ancient Nile channel systems.

In a significant breakthrough, Ghoneim and the research team have successfully produced the first map of the long-lost ancient branch of the Nile River. This pioneering study marks a crucial step forward in understanding the historical waterways of the Nile.

Ghoneim and her colleagues refer to this extinct branch of the Nile river as Ahramat, which is Arabic for pyramids.

Ancient Egyptians likely used the now-extinct Ahramat Branch to build many pyramids.

Ancient Egyptians likely used the now-extinct Ahramat Branch to build many pyramids.

Eman Ghoneim et al

The ancient waterway was likely around 0.5 kilometers wide (about one-third of a mile) and had a depth of at least 25 meters (82 feet), according to Ghoneim.

Ghoneim also noted that the size and proximity of the Ahramat Branch to the 31 pyramids in the area strongly indicate that it was a significant and functional waterway in ancient times.

The river was important for transporting materials and workers for building the pyramids in ancient Egypt. Many of the pyramids in the area have a causeway, a ceremonial raised walkway that leads to the riverbank.

The Red Pyramid at the Dahshur necropolis is located near the now-defunct arm of the Nile.

The Red Pyramid at the Dahshur necropolis is located near the now-defunct arm of the Nile.

Eman Ghoneim

Hidden traces of a lost waterway

Traces of the river cannot be seen in aerial photos or optical satellite images, according to Ghoneim. Instead, she discovered something surprising while analyzing radar satellite data of the region for signs of ancient rivers and lakes that could potentially uncover a new groundwater source.

"I am a geomorphologist and paleohydrologist who studies landforms. I have a trained eye for this kind of work," she explained.

While analyzing the data, she noticed a branch or riverbank that seemed out of place as it was far from the Nile. Being from Egypt, Ghoneim was familiar with the nearby pyramids and had always been curious about their location. She decided to seek funding from the National Science Foundation to conduct further investigations. Ground-penetrating radar and electromagnetic tomography data confirmed that it was an ancient arm of the Nile. The team also extracted two long cores of earth using drilling equipment, revealing sandy sediment typical of a river channel at a depth of approximately 25 meters (82 feet).

It is believed that there could be numerous temples still hidden beneath the agricultural fields and desert sands along the riverbank of the Ahramat Branch.

The researchers collected soil samples to confirm their findings.

Eman Ghoneim

The reason for the disappearance of this branch of the river remains unknown. It is believed that a period of drought and desertification caused sand to fill up the river, according to Ghoneim.

Nick Marriner, a geographer at the French National Centre for Scientific Research in Paris, mentioned that the study showed significant differences in the geography and riverscapes of the Nile compared to present day when the pyramids were constructed. Marriner, who has researched the fluvial history of Giza, was not directly involved in the study.

"The study helps fill in a crucial piece of the puzzle of the ancient landscape," Marriner explained. "By connecting these findings, we are able to better understand how the Nile floodplain appeared during the era of the pyramid builders. It also sheds light on how the ancient Egyptians utilized their surroundings to move materials for their massive construction projects."

The research team stands in front of the Unas’s Valley Temple, which would have acted as a river harbor in ancient Egypt.

The research team stands in front of the Unas’s Valley Temple, which would have acted as a river harbor in ancient Egypt.

Eman Ghoneim

Editor's P/S:

The discovery of the Ahramat Branch of the Nile River is a significant breakthrough in our understanding of ancient Egypt. This long-lost waterway played a crucial role in the construction of the pyramids at Giza, as it provided a means to transport materials and workers to the site. The fact that the river was hidden beneath farmland and desert for centuries is a testament to the power of nature and the passage of time.

The study also highlights the importance of interdisciplinary research in archaeology. By combining satellite imaging, sediment core analysis, and geomorphological expertise, the research team was able to piece together a comprehensive picture of the ancient Nile River system. This approach can be applied to other archaeological sites around the world, helping us to gain a better understanding of past civilizations and their relationship to the environment.