Egypt’s ‘floating’ pyramid mystery solved with 4,000-year-old find

PYRAMID OF LAHUN: EXPERT EXPLORES EGYPT'S 'FLOATING' PYRAMID In the 12th Dynasty of the ancient civilisation, Pharaoh Senusret II ordered for the construction of the Pyramid

of Lahun. The fourth ruler of this period in history took a great deal of interest in the Faiyum Oasis region – south of Cairo – and began work on an extensive irrigation system from Bahr

Yussef through to Lake Moeris in Middle Egypt. The purpose of his project was to increase the amount of cultivable land in that area and, as a result of his efforts, it would remain the

political capital of Egypt through to the 13th Dynasty. RELATED ARTICLES When he died in 1878BC the pharaoh was buried in his monument and now, the Science Channel’s ‘Unearthed’ documentary

has unravelled the secret to his incredible architecture. The series explained: “Built around 1870BC, it’s a mighty monument clad in gleaming limestone that rises 160 feet above the desert.

“At the top, a black granite capstone makes a connection to the heavens.  “Next to it, a smaller pyramid – for the pharaoh’s queen – and eight stone mastaba memorials. How the pyramid may

have looked 4,000 years ago (Image: YOUTUBE/SCIENCE CHANNEL) Experts visited the ancient monument (Image: YOUTUBE/SCIENCE CHANNEL) "It was all enclosed by a huge mud-brick wall. The

complex was said to be surrounded by water, seemingly floating in the desert. “It stands in Egypt’s vast western desert. This is a fertile area of the desert known as the Faiyum Oasis."

Leading archaeologist Dr Salima Ikram revealed her theory on how the pharaoh created the illusion that his pyramid was floating.  She said: “What a sight it must have been for people, to

look at something like that – this mountain of a pyramid encircled by water.  “We’re in the middle of a desert, but in the distance, you can see there is lots of greenery and vegetation.

READ MORE: EGYPT MYSTERY: 'STRANGE DOOR' FOUND INSIDE GREAT PYRAMID EXPLORED BY INVESTIGATORS How the ancient site may have once looked (Image: YOUTUBE/SCIENCE CHANNEL) “The fact

that there is a lush oasis here means there is a constant supply of water.” During the documentary, experts used drone footage to track what they believed to be the route of the ancient

waterways. The narrator explained: “The pyramid is built about 10 miles from the River Nile. “In ancient times, the annual floods inundate the barren land with life-giving water and

minerals.  “A huge canal constructed by an earlier pharaoh also channels water from the mighty river to the Faiyum.  “Salima thinks that the Nile and the canal are not the only sources of

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EGYPT: HOW ‘GREATEST ARCHAEOLOGICAL FIND OF ALL TIME' STUNNED EXPERT [REVEALED] Salima Ikram identified a modern dam (Image: YOUTUBE/SCIENCE CHANNEL) Dr Ikram then put forward her

theory. She added: “This large water channel that connects to the Nile is one of the main sources of water for this whole area near the pyramids. “I wonder what it would have been like 4,000

years ago when it was much wetter, it rained much more and there were even powerful floods. “The amount of water here makes it a bit curious that someone should choose their site to build a

pyramid. “Senusret II could have been buried with his father several miles to the north of here, but he actively came and sought out and chose this place so he must have had a very good

reason to do that.” Visiting a nearby dam, Dr Ikram explained the crucial role she believes it played in ancient Egypt. Dr Ikram said the pharaoh's work played a crucial role (Image:

YOUTUBE/SCIENCE CHANNEL) RELATED ARTICLES She added: “What's really interesting is if you go all the way down, this dam is built on the foundation of Senusret II’s dam. “This is the

first dam ever built in the Faiyum and he used it to tame this region and turn it into an agricultural treasure trove.”  And the series detailed how it played a key role thereafter. The

narrator continued: “The pharaohs before Senusret dug out a waterway from the Nile to the Faiyum, creating a massive lake and oasis. “Senusret himself builds dikes and irrigation channels to

distribute water to the surrounding desert. “Drawing water from the oasis, Senusret creates 17,000 acres of new farmland near the lagoon and he builds his pyramid right next to it to

commemorate his achievement and life's work."