Ancient Egypt has long been a point of fascination around the world. The incredible monuments that remain standing across the country have led many to imagine not just how they were built but also the incredible mysteries they were built to hide or keep safe and the deities and rulers they were built for.
Now, with ancient Egypt being of particular popularity in entertainment this year, North Carolina looks to help further how well we understand those days. Should the thesis prove correct, the Tar Heel State may have officially discovered exactly how those incredible structures were made.
Perhaps the Secrets Will be Unlocked
The Great Pyramid of Giza is one of 30 pyramids that stand in a relatively close area, but it’s certainly the grandest of them all. It was made of an absurd count of 2.3 million blocks of granite and limestone. Even more impressive, each block clocks in at around 2.5 tonnes. The sheer scale of the Great Pyramid is incredible. While a lot has been learned about the ancient construction techniques, many questions remain unanswered.
One such question is exactly where the transportation waterway for all of the blocks lay. It’s always been assumed that a river was needed very close by to move the colossal blocks to the many pyramids, temples, and tombs of the area, but none remain in proximity to the Great Pyramid in the modern day. Now, a team of researchers from the University of North Carolina Wilmington have proposed an answer.
According to Eman Ghoneim, Ph.D., their research has allowed them to compose the first map of what may have been one of the primary ancient branches of the Nile. The map itself even was expanded to such a degree that the scale allows them to track an ancient river with links to the largest pyramid field in the country. The estimate for this river, named Ahramat in the research, has it at up to 2,296 feet wide and 39 miles long, potentially solving the great mystery.
A Constant Fascination with Ancient Egypt
Such a discovery is always welcomed by the world, particularly because there’s so much interest in ancient Egypt as a whole. It’s why people flock to entertainment pieces that lean into the setting. One of the top real money slots, for example, is all about the ancient Egyptian theme. In Book of Dead, you venture into a pyramid with an intrepid explorer to unlock the secrets of the fabled Book of Dead.
On the note of the intrepid explorer, perhaps one of the best movies set around ancient Egypt features such a character. The Mummy was originally released in 1999 but is still revered by movie fans. It’s received a resurgence in recent times thanks to it arriving on Netflix and Brendan Fraser making his glorious return to Hollywood. Still, one of the primary homes for ancient Egypt in modern times is in video gaming.
Naturally, North Carolina is home to a great many gamers. Not only are home console, computer, and smartphone games wildly popular, but the industry also powers over $1.25 billion for the economic output of the state. Here, it’s been all about the comeback of Total War: Pharaoh. It was released as an undercooked mess into a series that has always demanded better. After several updates, the Dynasties version has won over fans and now commands a strong player base.
There’s always a buzz around North Carolina when it comes to ancient Egypt, and now, the state looks set to achieve an even greater tie to the famed point in history.
