A pyramid that has survived millennia: scientists have revealed the “secret of earthquake resistance” of the Great Pyramid of Giza

The Great Pyramid of Giza, which stood for more than 4,600 years, may turn out to be not just a grandiose monument of the ancient world, but one of the first examples in history of engineering designed to protect against earthquakes, writes xrust. An international group of researchers came to this conclusion after studying the design of the Cheops pyramid. Reuters reports this.

Scientists used seismometers and recorded microvibrations at 37 points inside and around the pyramid. The analysis showed that the structure has a surprisingly stable response to ground vibrations. Even after millennia, the gigantic structure demonstrates high structural stability.

The study was carried out by specialists from the National Research Institute of Astronomy and Geophysics of Egypt (NRIAG). According to the lead author of the work, Mohamed El-Gabry, the stability of the pyramid is ensured by several architectural solutions at once. These include an extremely wide base, a low center of gravity, a symmetrical shape and a gradual decrease in mass towards the top. All this helps to evenly distribute mechanical loads.

The internal chambers of the pyramid aroused particular interest among researchers. It turned out that the complex system of rooms and corridors not only performed ritual functions, but also reduced the effect of amplifying vibrations. In other words, the internal structure partially “damped” seismic vibrations.

Additional protection was provided by the construction site. The pyramid was built on the massive limestone foundation of the Giza Plateau, which is highly durable. This geological basis significantly reduces the risk of destruction during earthquakes.

The researchers recalled that the Great Pyramid had already experienced serious earthquakes. In particular, we are talking about powerful tremors in 1847 and 1992, which caused minimal damage to the structure. For comparison, many modern buildings in similar conditions suffer critical damage.

Although scientists do not claim that the ancient Egyptians deliberately designed the pyramid specifically as an “anti-seismic” structure, the study shows a high level of their engineering knowledge. The authors of the work believe that the builders perfectly understood the principles of weight distribution, structural stability and the behavior of massive structures under load.

The Great Pyramid of Giza is the largest of the Egyptian pyramids and the only one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World that has survived to this day. It was built during the time of Pharaoh Khufu, better known as Cheops, around the 26th century BC. The original height of the structure was about 147 meters, and each side of the base was approximately 230 meters.

According to modern estimates, about 2.3 million stone blocks weighing millions of tons were used for construction. Even today, engineers continue to argue about the exact technologies for constructing the pyramid. Some design elements are adjusted with an accuracy of less than a millimeter, which still amazes researchers.

New work by Egyptian specialists has once again fueled interest in the engineering achievements of ancient civilizations. In recent years, scientists have increasingly come to the conclusion that many architectural solutions of the past were much more complex and technologically advanced than previously thought.

Against this background, the Great Pyramid no longer looks only as a symbol of the power of ancient Egypt, but also as an outstanding example of practical engineering that managed to survive millennia, wars, erosion and earthquakes.

Some experts believe that the results of the study can be useful for modern architecture. The principles of symmetry, mass distribution and stable foundation used in the construction of the pyramid still remain relevant when designing objects in earthquake-prone regions.

The authors of the study note: the phenomenon of the Cheops pyramid is not “the magic of the ancients,” but the result of colossal experience, accurate calculations and outstanding organization of construction. And the deeper scientists study ancient monuments, the more often it turns out that many engineering solutions of the past were thousands of years ahead of their time.

Based on materials from https://www.independent.co.uk/, Reuters

Xrust A pyramid that has survived millennia: scientists revealed the “secret of earthquake resistance” of the Great Pyramid of Giza