{"id":14926,"date":"2023-11-01T02:35:13","date_gmt":"2023-11-01T01:35:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.aboutriver.com\/?p=14926"},"modified":"2023-11-01T02:35:13","modified_gmt":"2023-11-01T01:35:13","slug":"did-the-nile-river-really-turn-to-blood","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.aboutriver.com\/did-the-nile-river-really-turn-to-blood\/","title":{"rendered":"Did The Nile River Really Turn To Blood"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Ancient Accounts of the Nile River Turning to Blood<\/h2>\n

The Nile River is an international treasure that is known for its incredible biodiversity, majestic views and its long, winding trajectory. It is also the longest river in the world, stretching across several countries in North Africa and the Middle East. But did this beloved river really turn to blood?
\nThroughout history, the Nile has been known for its water being so plentiful that it would sometimes flood, leading to a richness in farmland and plentiful harvests. But some have reported that it has been known to also turn to blood. According to this myth, the river would not just become red in color – it would gain the characteristics of actual human blood.<\/p>\n

Representations of the Bloodied Nile in Ancient Art<\/h2>\n

Many ancient cultures have depicted the river turning to blood in their works of art. In Egypt, the ancient Egyptians were said to have created sculptures and paintings that depicted the bloodied river. The Romans, too, were said to have made several artworks featuring the Nile, showing it with a thick, red hue instead of its traditional blue.
\nThe Ancient Egyptian writer, Manetho, claimed that the Nile turned to blood when the god Set strangled his own brother, Osiris. However, this myth is not backed up by historical evidence. <\/p>\n

Scientific Explanations for the Bloodied Nile<\/h2>\n

Many experts have put forward scientific theories to explain the phenomena. Perhaps the most reasonable explanation is the phenomenon of algal blooms. Algal blooms happen when the river is exposed to excessive amounts of nitrogen, phosphates and carbon dioxide. This causes algae to grow and long red stretches of algae can sometimes be seen in the river, making it look as if it has turned to blood.
\nAnother scientific explanation is the geological occurrence of iron oxide. When the river is exposed to iron oxide, it can give off a red hue, making it appear as if it has transformed into blood.<\/p>\n

Modern Explanations For The Bloodied Nile<\/h2>\n

In recent years, some have suggested that the ancient Egyptians may have been referring to the Red Sea instead of the Nile. As the name suggests, the Red Sea is a much smaller sea with a reddish hue. It is possible that early explorers mistook the Red Sea for the Nile, leading to confusion and misinterpretation.
\nMoreover, some have also suggested that the Bloodied Nile myth comes from a phenomenon that happens in shallow, calm waters. In such areas, the sunlight can cause the silt and sediment to appear red, giving the false impression of an actual river of blood.<\/p>\n

The Bloodied Nile Through the Eyes of Ancient Egyptians<\/h2>\n