Discovery of Lost Nile River Arm Reveals the Original Purpose of Egyptian Pyramids

An international team of researchers has recently made a groundbreaking discovery that sheds light on the origins of Egyptian pyramids. The team found that the pyramids were originally built along a 64-kilometre-long arm of the Nile River called ‘Ahramat’ (pyramids in Arabic), which is now buried under farmland and desert. This finding, reported in Communications Earth & Environment, explains why 31 pyramids, including those at Giza and Lisht, are concentrated in a narrow strip of desert in the Sahara desert.

Using satellite images, geophysical surveys, and soil samples, lead researcher Eman Ghoneim and her team were able to confirm the presence of river sediments and ancient channels under the modern surface, indicating the former existence of the Ahramat branch of the Nile. The pyramids were situated near the ancient capital of Memphis for easy access across the river arm during construction.

Over a period of almost 1,000 years starting around 4,700 years ago, the pyramids were constructed when the Nile had a larger flow and divided into several branches. However, a major drought around 4,200 years ago caused wind-blown sand accumulation