The discovery of a previously unknown branch of the Nile could potentially shed new light on long-standing mysteries surrounding the Egyptian pyramids. This new branch is thought to have run close to the current city of Cairo and right through the pyramid fields at Giza, perhaps playing a critical role in the pyramids’ construction.
The ancient Egyptians’ ability to construct the pyramids, especially the transportation of massive stones, has long puzzled researchers. This new branch could have possibly solved the long-debated mystery. If the pyramid builders had a waterway – like the newly discovered Nile branch – much closer than previously thought, it would have greatly facilitated the transport of heavy stone blocks.
The presence of the ‘lost’ Nile branch would also make sense in terms of the geography of Giza. The plateau on which the pyramids are built is surrounded by wadis (dry riverbeds) which could have functioned as canals when inundated by the Nile’s annual flood. Such convenient access to water would have not only eased construction but also contributed significantly to the site selection.
However, this is just a hypothesis that has yet to be confirmed by direct archaeological evidence. Thus, further exploration and research are required to consider this new information fully. Even so, discoveries like these provide a deeper insight into ancient civilisations and their engineering feats, highlighting how much we still have yet to learn about our past.
