Pharaoh Djoser, the pioneering ruler of Egypt’s Old Kingdom’s Third Dynasty, which began in the 27th century BCE, is credited with creating Egypt’s oldest necropolis. His remarkable Step Pyramid, built around 2,680 BCE in Saqqara, just northwest of the ancient city of Memphis, features a distinctive six-tiered, four-sided design and stands approximately 205 feet tall. This architectural marvel was part of a larger complex filled with ceremonial structures. While the ancient Egyptians employed a variety of tools to build this iconic pyramid, a recent study suggests they might have also used a previously unknown technological innovation—a hydraulic lift system powered by a nearby, now-vanished lake.
This intriguing possibility was proposed by an interdisciplinary research team from France’s CEA Paleotechnic Institute, whose findings were published on August 5 in the journal PLOS One. By analyzing satellite images, geospatial data, and watershed information, the researchers hypothesize that a mysterious structure near the Step Pyramid may have acted as a “check dam,” an ancient engineering feat designed to capture water and sediment. These dams, though simple in design, are effective in slowing and controlling water flow.
In the case of the Pyramid of Djoser, it appears that water from a nearby source was channeled through a series of compartments, which allowed sediment to settle in stages. The remaining water likely flowed into shafts within the pyramid, where it could have been used to help lift massive stones into place. What makes this finding particularly fascinating is the suggestion that the pyramid’s dam may have also served as an early water filtration system, predating known examples by centuries, if not millennia.
To help illustrate this concept, the researchers described a possible method the ancient Egyptians might have used to operate this hydraulic system. They believe the lift’s floating platform could rise to about 55 feet, with the potential for further elevation using collapsible extensions. Once at the top, the platform might have doubled as a counterweight, using pulleys and ropes. This hydraulic lift, along with other construction techniques like ramps and levee systems, might have been employed selectively, depending on water availability. Despite its intermittent use, the researchers argue that the existence of such a lift significantly changes our understanding of what ancient Egyptians were capable of achieving.
“The hydraulic lift mechanism appears to be a groundbreaking innovation in the construction of stone structures, unmatched by any other known civilization,” the researchers wrote, adding that its significance extends far beyond the construction of the Step Pyramid. Alongside its water management capabilities, the planning and execution of this system demonstrate the ancient architects’ foresight in addressing various civil needs, including making the Saqqara region suitable for long-term settlement with access to water, agriculture, and shelter.
The team’s findings also raise the intriguing possibility that similar hydraulic systems might have been used in other Old Kingdom pyramids, and perhaps even earlier. To confirm this theory, further exploration and analysis of these ancient ruins will be necessary.