Faiyum region shows ancient lake levels 12-18m higher during Pre-Pottery Neolithic. Faiyum Lake was at 12-18 meters above sea level during early Holocene (8500-7000 years BP) Pre-Pottery Neolithic B artifacts found on ancient lake banks Ancient basalt quarry identified as source of material for pyramid pavements
Faiyum Lake stood 12-18 meters above sea level during the early Holocene (8500-7000 years BP), sustained by heavy monsoon rainfall in Ethiopia causing high Nile floods. Pre-Pottery Neolithic B artifacts have been found on ancient lake banks. An ancient basalt quarry has been identified as the source of material for pyramid pavements, with the basalt ridge traceable from Faiyum almost to Giza. The Kaser El Saga megalithic temple sits on an upper ledge at approximately 35m elevation. Lake levels dropped significantly over millennia.
Key Facts
- Faiyum Lake was at 12-18 meters above sea level during early Holocene (8500-7000 years BP)
- Pre-Pottery Neolithic B artifacts found on ancient lake banks
- Ancient basalt quarry identified as source of material for pyramid pavements
- Basalt ridge can be traced from Faiyum almost to Giza
- Kaser El Saga megalithic temple sits on upper ledge at approximately 35m elevation
- High lake levels sustained by heavy monsoon rainfall in Ethiopia causing high Nile floods
- Lake level dropped significantly over millennia, now much reduced in size
Related site: Al-Fayyum / Fayyum / Faiyum / Medinet el-Fayum / Shedet / Chedet / Crialon / Krokodilopolis — view location, images, and history on the Ancient Nerds map.
Source: Primordial Egypt - On the Trail of the Ancients by Brothers of the Serpent