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With the Ancient Egyptians obvious skill in stonework, would they have been able to clear the Nile Cataracts, and extend the easily traversable length of the Nile?

Other then potential trade benefits, what are the tangible benefits besides increasing 'natural infrastructure'?

Assuming a Pharaoh decides to expand southward by "Opening the Cataracts" what would the southern half of the Egyptian Empire look like? Other than Nubias wealth in gold, and the Kingdoms of the Kush, could the Empire reach as far as Khartoum? Or extend further to the Ethiopian Highlands or the Sudd?

In addition, assuming the success of such micro-canals - what other potential canal-work or similar stonework could this Egypt indulge in?
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