Geoenvironmental investigation of Sahure’s pyramid, Abusir archeological site, Giza, Egypt

Researchers have uncovered that basaltic mortar, used in the construction of Sahure's pyramid at the Abusir archaeological site, represents the first documented instance of green concrete manufacturing in the Egyptian Old Kingdom's Fifth Dynasty. This discovery, made through field and laboratory studies, sheds light on the advanced engineering practices of ancient Egyptians. The study also revealed that the durability issues affecting the pyramid are primarily due to intrinsic problems such as the presence of swellable clays in construction materials, compounded by external factors like temperature variations, rain, pollutants, wind, and earthquakes. These findings highlight the complex interplay between geoenvironmental conditions and building material defects, contributing significantly to our understanding of the decay and damage processes affecting ancient structures.

Fahmy, A., Molina-Piernas, E., Domínguez-Bella, S., Martínez-López, J., & Helmi, F. (2022). Geoenvironmental investigation of Sahure’s pyramid, Abusir archeological site, Giza, Egypt. Heritage Science, 10(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40494-022-00699-1