'4,700-year clue': Half-kilometer wide river could explain how Egypt's Pyramids were built
Produced by: Mohsin Shaikh
Lost River
A dried-up Nile branch may have solved one of history’s greatest mysteries: how the pyramids were built. This ancient waterway once flowed through Giza, possibly ferrying materials for Egypt's wonders.
The Lifeline of Giza"
Dubbed the Ahramat Branch, this now-defunct river ran from Giza to Faiyum, passing 38 pyramid sites. Its strategic location hints at its role as a vital transport route for colossal construction blocks.
Credit: Eman Ghoneim
Ancient Ports
Dr. Eman Ghoneim suggests these pyramids, found at the Ahramat's banks, were "valley temples"—ancient ports enabling ships to unload supplies essential for building Egypt’s towering structures.
Radar Revelation
Using satellite radar, Ghoneim uncovered a hidden network beneath the sands. Her findings were presented to the 13th Congress of Egyptologists, reshaping our understanding of pyramid construction.
Credit: Esri, Maxar, Earthstar Geographics
The Gigantic Branch
This ancient river was massive, comparable in width to the modern Nile. Spanning more than half a kilometer in some areas, its scale underscores its importance to Egypt’s builders.
Pyramid Builders’ Tool?
Could the Ahramat Branch have been active during the Old and Middle Kingdoms? Evidence suggests it might have supported waterborne logistics for these monumental architectural feats.
Egypt’s Forgotten Cities
The Nile’s natural migration buried countless ancient cities. As branches like the Ahramat dried up, towns silted over, leaving researchers with tantalizing clues about Egypt’s lost civilizations.
Uncovering a Lost Egypt
Ghoneim’s discovery isn’t just about the pyramids—it might also pinpoint vanished cities, unlocking forgotten chapters of Egypt’s history hidden beneath layers of sand and time.
A Game-Changing Find
From transporting pyramid stones to burying ancient cities, the Ahramat Branch is rewriting history. Dr. Ghoneim’s work reveals a hidden world that could reshape our understanding of Egypt.