Environmental topographic conditions during the development of the ancient Egyptian empire. 2500 BC

Condiciones topográficas ambientales durante el desarrollo del antiguo imperio egipcio. 2500 AC

Abstract

The images shown by Google Earth of the Sahara Desert in Egypt, south of Cairo, reflect on its flat surface, patterns of numerous drainage basins, evidence in the near past of climatic conditions very different from the current panorama of high temperatures in a desolate landscape covered by sand. In the present investigation, one of the basins was selected, where the topographic relief was reconstructed, evidencing high drainage density per square kilometer (15:1), related to a geological past of periods of intense and continuous rains. The drainage pattern formed is maintained over time, and although the intensity and duration of the rains decrease, the reforested basin will have regulated flows, which must have remained during the development of the ancient Egyptian empire. The climatic conditions during the construction of the great pyramids must have been related to a landscape of extensive forests, from which the wood was obtained for the transportation and placement of the large blocks of rock, as well as for human consumption. The presence of water that could be obtained at levels higher than the height of the pyramids, allowed finishing works difficult to imagine with water sources at the level of the Nile River. The Nile River basin, also completely covered by vegetation, would be related to high medium flows, with higher levels that facilitated navigation and transportation of large blocks of granitic rocks. The shape of the drainage pattern of the selected basin, with wide “U”-shaped channels and an apparent concave shape, may be related to lateral erosion phenomena due to the contribution of materials from landslides, related to a period of rain. continuous and intense.

The study of the selected basin constitutes a small sample, and the research can be expanded to larger areas, which could clarify the panorama of urban development during the civilization of ancient Egypt, which would facilitate the location of new archaeological finds. In any archaeological excavation there is a history of its development and customs, but its concealment also relates to particular climatic conditions, the product of large contributions of sediments, whose means of transport is related to water.