Student Article

A hidden river may have helped build the pyramids.

A new clue buried under the sand

The pyramids of Egypt are some of the most amazing buildings ever created, and for a long time, people have wondered how they were built. Now, archaeologists think they’ve found an important clue — a buried river that helped move the giant stones!

A long-lost branch of the Nile

Scientists found a long-lost part of the Nile River under the desert using radar satellites. This river, called the Ahramat Branch, used to run right by the pyramids. It was about 40 miles (64 km) long, over 1,600 feet (500 meters) wide, and about 80 feet (25 meters) deep.

Boats instead of dragging stones

This waterway was likely used to move the giant stones — some weighing over 20,000 pounds (10 tons) — by boat. Instead of dragging the heavy blocks across the desert, the Egyptians may have floated them on the river to the construction sites. It explains why so many pyramids were built far from today’s Nile.

The river dried up at the right time

The river began to disappear approximately 4,200 years ago, likely because of a long drought. This matches the time when pyramid building slowed down. Researchers also discovered that ceremonial roads (causeways) connected many pyramids to the river. These roads ended exactly where the river’s edge used to be.

Smart science and smart Egyptians

The team used radar to look below the surface of the desert and also studied the soil and rocks. Their discovery shows how smart the Egyptians were and how important the Nile was for building, travel, and life.

© Tom Howarth / Our Media