A new study suggests that the Step Pyramid of Djoser in Egypt was built using a hydraulic lift around 4,500 years ago. This would be earlier than previously thought for major hydraulic systems. The pyramid’s design, waterways, and interior architecture all point to the use of a hydraulic system.
The study, published in PLOS ONE, found that the hydraulic-powered mechanism could have lifted oversized stone blocks from the ground up as the pyramid was built. The blocks were likely placed into position using a “volcano fashion” method, where water pressure from the hydraulic system pushed them into place.
The research team believes that the nearby Gisr el-Mudir enclosure had features of a check dam to trap sediment and water, creating a temporary lake west of the Djoser complex. This could have linked the Nile River to a “Dry Moat” around the site, helping to move materials and meet hydraulic needs.
The study also found a monumental linear rock-cut structure that combined technical requirements for water treatment facilities, including settling basins, retention basins, and purification systems. The team believes that this system improved water quality and regulated flow for practical purposes and human needs.
The use of hydraulic force to erect massive structures built by Pharaohs is an important discovery that opens up new lines of research into ancient Egyptian engineering and architecture.
Source: https://www.popularmechanics.com/science/archaeology/a61701051/hydraulics-evidence-ancient-pyramids/