Nagoya University Emulsion film muons detectors observing SP-NFC inside the pyramid.
Nagoya University Emulsion film muons detectors observing SP-NFC inside the pyramid.
Nagoya University Emulsion film muons detectors observing SP-NFC inside the pyramid.
Nagoya University Emulsion film muons detectors observing SP-NFC inside the pyramid.

'Big Void' at the core of Giza's Great Pyramid continues to baffle scientists


Kamal Tabikha
  • English
  • Arabic

The same scientists who discovered a hidden passage inside the Great Pyramid of Giza have also detected a larger void in the core of the ancient structure.

The void is located directly above the Great Pyramid's Grand Gallery, the long, narrow pathway that visitors of the pyramid use to access the King’s Chamber, one of four viewable rooms inside the structure.

The "Big Void", the name given to it by the scientists, is encased in rock, so it is physically inaccessible. However, through non-invasive scans, its volume was reported to be several hundred cubic metres, one of the specialists involved in a large-scale scan of the ancient relic told The National.

It was discovered in 2017, one year after the detection of a smaller void that turned out to be the recently-announced hidden passage.

Since its discovery, the Big Void has been left largely unstudied because of its location in the centre of the pyramid.

Its function remains a mystery to those who have studied it, Sebastien Procureur of the French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA) told The National.

Mr Procureur was one of an international mission of scanning and imaging experts who participated in the ScanPyramids initiative, formed in 2015.

The mission used cutting-edge technology to attempt to decipher how the pyramids were built and how they have managed to stay standing for so long, questions that remain unanswered after eight years of scans.

A diagram showing the different parts that scientists have discovered at the Great Pyramid of Giza through multiple scans. The letter 'i' marks the position of the so-called 'Big Void', an empty space in the centre of the pyramid that has baffled scientists for almost a decade. The Great Pyramid structure was recently scanned by a mission of international imaging specialists whose findings were published in the prominent science journal Nature. Photo credits: Nature.
A diagram showing the different parts that scientists have discovered at the Great Pyramid of Giza through multiple scans. The letter 'i' marks the position of the so-called 'Big Void', an empty space in the centre of the pyramid that has baffled scientists for almost a decade. The Great Pyramid structure was recently scanned by a mission of international imaging specialists whose findings were published in the prominent science journal Nature. Photo credits: Nature.

“We still have so much to learn from this amazing monument, despite the fact that it has been an object of interest for thousands of years,” Dr Salima Ikram, a renowned Egyptologist, told The National.

“Modern technology is really the only way in which we can penetrate its secrets. It really is a three-dimensional puzzle.”

Big Void 'deep inside pyramid'

Unlike the smaller void, which was easy to study, the Big Void posed a serious challenge to the team.

“The reason we focused on the other, smaller void, which was recently announced, was because it is closer to the surface of the pyramid, which makes it infinitely easier to explore and study,” Mr Procureur said. “The Big Void is deep inside the pyramid, which makes measurements harder.”

Some members of the team thought there might be a connection between both voids and hoped that by studying the more accessible one first, it could provide more information on the larger void.

No such connection has so far been found.

“Whether it is a chamber, or a construction anomaly, or something else is not possible to say at this time. But my view on it has always that it is there, it is big and it is worthy of further investigation,” said Peter Der Manuelian, a professor of Egyptology at Harvard University.

Mr Procureur said further exploration of the Big Void would most likely involve alterations to the ancient structure that must be carefully considered.

“The Big Void is very central in the pyramids, so if one day, they decide to study it more closely, it will be quite complicated. A hole would have to be drilled to allow more precise detectors to reach it. It would have to be between five and 10 metres in length,” he said.

From the data available, archaeologists have wagered a number of interpretations regarding the function of the void.

While some thought that it was a relieving chamber to decrease the weight on the Grand Gallery, Mr Procureur said, simulations conducted by the team ruled this out because the void is too far above the gallery, around 10m, to provide any structural support.

Another interpretation was that it was another Grand Gallery — a passage that the pyramid’s builders used to move around its inside that was somehow sealed over time, he said.

Some archaeologists guessed it was an ancient anti-seismic chamber built to reduce the destructive effects of an earthquake.

Cutting edge imaging

The ScanPyramids project used three different kinds of imaging technologies to complete the scan.

The first kind was muography, a type of non-invasive penetrative imaging that tracks the path of muons, an unstable subatomic particle produced when cosmic rays enter the Earth’s upper atmosphere. It is somewhat similar to x-ray imaging.

Special detectors were placed inside the pyramid to track the movement of the muons over the structure, which, in turn, provided measurements on depth and density through which the team was able to detect whether they were looking at solid rock or empty spaces.

Providing actual images that can be seen and studied by archaeologists involved a second kind of technology called nuclear emulsion.

ScanPyramids team observing SP-NFC with an endoscope.
ScanPyramids team observing SP-NFC with an endoscope.

Designed by Japanese scientists at Nagoya University, the nuclear emulsion process works in the same way as dark room photography development whereby the path of the muons, which possess a measurable electric charge, is then chemically rendered on a special kind of film.

“The big drawback of this process is that it needs quite an intense work-after for the development. You have the chemical development then the scanning and the digitisation and finally the analysis,” Mr Procureur said.

A third kind of imaging technology, gaseous detection, developed by the French team, was also used in the scan.

Small shafts inside the pyramid

There are smaller cavities in the Great pyramid that remain a mystery to scientists.

“This is why we can't rule out a connection between the two voids, even though we didn’t immediately find one, because it could be that there are passages between them that are too small for muography to perceive," said Mr Procureur. "Also the passages could have been blocked due to seismic shifts in the four millennia that the pyramids have been at Giza.”

A 1992 earthquake that destroyed much of Cairo caused significant damage to the pyramid and reduced its height by around 10m after some of the rocks in the outer layer were dislodged. The fallen rocks are still strewn around the pyramid and can be seen by visitors.

Though he does not anticipate that any more large voids will be found, Dr Procureur said there remains a number of other small shafts imperceptible to muography.

Cairo University and TUM _ Ultrasonic Testing measurements on Chevrons area.
Cairo University and TUM _ Ultrasonic Testing measurements on Chevrons area.

“There are shafts leading out of both the King and Queen’s chambers. They are about 30cm in width so they’re too small for a human to fit through,” he said. “These are still a mystery even after multiple robotic explorations. They are definitely man-made. It leaves something for future generations to understand.”

The idea to conduct the scan was put forth by Dr Hany Helal, a professor of engineering at Cairo University, who put the team of specialists together. The project was overseen and facilitated by the Egyptian antiquities ministry and multiple Egyptian specialists contributed to the project.

While Mr Procureur's team has concluded its research at the Giza plateau, the Nagoya University team will continue to scan the structure and study the Big Void.

"We still have some unpublished findings about the void which we will release in the near future," he said.

Ahmed Raza

UAE cricket captain

Age: 31

Born: Sharjah

Role: Left-arm spinner

One-day internationals: 31 matches, 35 wickets, average 31.4, economy rate 3.95

T20 internationals: 41 matches, 29 wickets, average 30.3, economy rate 6.28

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10pm: Lahore Sikandars v Pakhtoon Blasters

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Chennai Knights, Lahore Sikandars, Pakhtoon Blasters, Abu Dhabi Stars, Abu Dhabi Dragons, Pakhtoon Warriors and Hyderabad Nawabs.

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Transmission: Six-speed automatic

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Fuel economy, combined: 10.7L / 100km

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Araminta Robertson, of the Financially Mint blog, shares her financial advice for university leavers:

1. Build digital or technical skills: After graduation, people can find it extremely hard to find jobs. From programming to digital marketing, your early twenties are for building skills. Future employers will want people with tech skills.

2. Side hustle: At 16, I lived in a village and started teaching online, as well as doing work as a virtual assistant and marketer. There are six skills you can use online: translation; teaching; programming; digital marketing; design and writing. If you master two, you’ll always be able to make money.

3. Networking: Knowing how to make connections is extremely useful. Use LinkedIn to find people who have the job you want, connect and ask to meet for coffee. Ask how they did it and if they know anyone who can help you. I secured quite a few clients this way.

4. Pay yourself first: The minute you receive any income, put about 15 per cent aside into a savings account you won’t touch, to go towards your emergency fund or to start investing. I do 20 per cent. It helped me start saving immediately.

The Little Things

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Starring: Denzel Washington, Rami Malek, Jared Leto

Four stars

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Director: James Cameron

Starring: Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Zoe Saldana

Rating: 4.5/5

Ad Astra

Director: James Gray

Stars: Brad Pitt, Tommy Lee Jones

Five out of five stars 

Company profile

Company name: Dharma

Date started: 2018

Founders: Charaf El Mansouri, Nisma Benani, Leah Howe

Based: Abu Dhabi

Sector: TravelTech

Funding stage: Pre-series A 

Investors: Convivialite Ventures, BY Partners, Shorooq Partners, L& Ventures, Flat6Labs

The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.

Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins

Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative 

Read part one: how cars came to the UAE

AS IT STANDS IN POOL A

1. Japan - Played 3, Won 3, Points 14

2. Ireland - Played 3, Won 2, Lost 1, Points 11

3. Scotland - Played 2, Won 1, Lost 1, Points 5

Remaining fixtures

Scotland v Russia – Wednesday, 11.15am

Ireland v Samoa – Saturday, 2.45pm

Japan v Scotland – Sunday, 2.45pm

'Worse than a prison sentence'

Marie Byrne, a counsellor who volunteers at the UAE government's mental health crisis helpline, said the ordeal the crew had been through would take time to overcome.

“It was worse than a prison sentence, where at least someone can deal with a set amount of time incarcerated," she said.

“They were living in perpetual mystery as to how their futures would pan out, and what that would be.

“Because of coronavirus, the world is very different now to the one they left, that will also have an impact.

“It will not fully register until they are on dry land. Some have not seen their young children grow up while others will have to rebuild relationships.

“It will be a challenge mentally, and to find other work to support their families as they have been out of circulation for so long. Hopefully they will get the care they need when they get home.”

Scoreline

Syria 1-1 Australia

Syria Al Somah 85'

Australia Kruse 40'

The specs: 2018 Maserati GranTurismo/GranCabrio

Price, base Dh485,000 (GranTurismo) and Dh575,000 (GranCabrio)

Engine 4.7L V8

Transmission Six-speed automatic

Power 460hp @ 7,000rpm

Torque 520Nm @ 4,750rpm

Fuel economy, combined 14.3L (GranTurismo) and 14.5L (GranCabrio) / 100km

If you go

The flights

Emirates flies from Dubai to Seattle from Dh5,555 return, including taxes. Portland is a 260 km drive from Seattle and Emirates offers codeshare flights to Portland with its partner Alaska Airlines.

The car

Hertz (www.hertz.ae) offers compact car rental from about $300 per week, including taxes. Emirates Skywards members can earn points on their car hire through Hertz.

Parks and accommodation

For information on Crater Lake National Park, visit www.nps.gov/crla/index.htm . Because of the altitude, large parts of the park are closed in winter due to snow. While the park’s summer season is May 22-October 31, typically, the full loop of the Rim Drive is only possible from late July until the end of October. Entry costs $25 per car for a day. For accommodation, see www.travelcraterlake.com. For information on Umpqua Hot Springs, see www.fs.usda.gov and https://soakoregon.com/umpqua-hot-springs/. For Bend, see https://www.visitbend.com/.

UAE players with central contracts

Rohan Mustafa, Ashfaq Ahmed, Chirag Suri, Rameez Shahzad, Shaiman Anwar, Adnan Mufti, Mohammed Usman, Ghulam Shabbir, Ahmed Raza, Qadeer Ahmed, Amir Hayat, Mohammed Naveed and Imran Haider.

MATCH INFO

Manchester United 1 (Fernandes pen 2') Tottenham Hotspur 6 (Ndombele 4', Son 7' & 37' Kane (30' & pen 79, Aurier 51')

Man of the match Son Heung-min (Tottenham)

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  • Critically assess whether a project’s promises or returns seem too good to be true.
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Results

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7.05pm: Maiden (TB) Dh165,000 1,400m | Winner: Al Shamkhah, Royston Ffrench, Sandeep Jadhav

7.40pm: Handicap (TB) Dh190,000 1,200m | Winner: Lavaspin, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar

8.15pm: Maiden (TB) Dh165,000 1,200m | Winner: Kawasir, Dane O’Neill, Musabah Al Muhairi

8.50pm: Rated Conditions (TB) Dh240,000 1,600m | Winner: Cosmo Charlie, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson

9.20pm: Handicap (TB) Dh165,000 1,400m | Winner: Bochart, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar

10pm: Handicap (TB) Dh175,000 2,000m | Winner: Quartier Francais, Fernando Jara, Ali Rashid Al Raihe

 

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THE BIO

Ms Davison came to Dubai from Kerala after her marriage in 1996 when she was 21-years-old

Since 2001, Ms Davison has worked at many affordable schools such as Our Own English High School in Sharjah, and The Apple International School and Amled School in Dubai

Favourite Book: The Alchemist

Favourite quote: Failing to prepare is preparing to fail

Favourite place to Travel to: Vienna

Favourite cuisine: Italian food

Favourite Movie : Scent of a Woman

 

 

Jetour T1 specs

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Power: 254hp

Torque: 390Nm

Price: From Dh126,000

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SQUADS

India
Virat Kohli (captain), Rohit Sharma (vice-captain), Shikhar Dhawan, Ajinkya Rahane, Manish Pandey, Kedar Jadhav, Dinesh Karthik, Mahendra Singh Dhoni (wicketkeeper), Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Jasprit Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Shardul Thakur

New Zealand
Kane Williamson (captain), Martin Guptill, Colin Munro, Ross Taylor, Tom Latham (wicketkeeper), Henry Nicholls, Ish Sodhi, George Worker, Glenn Phillips, Matt Henry, Colin de Grandhomme, Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee, Adam Milne, Trent Boult

Teaching your child to save

Pre-school (three - five years)

You can’t yet talk about investing or borrowing, but introduce a “classic” money bank and start putting gifts and allowances away. When the child wants a specific toy, have them save for it and help them track their progress.

Early childhood (six - eight years)

Replace the money bank with three jars labelled ‘saving’, ‘spending’ and ‘sharing’. Have the child divide their allowance into the three jars each week and explain their choices in splitting their pocket money. A guide could be 25 per cent saving, 50 per cent spending, 25 per cent for charity and gift-giving.

Middle childhood (nine - 11 years)

Open a bank savings account and help your child establish a budget and set a savings goal. Introduce the notion of ‘paying yourself first’ by putting away savings as soon as your allowance is paid.

Young teens (12 - 14 years)

Change your child’s allowance from weekly to monthly and help them pinpoint long-range goals such as a trip, so they can start longer-term saving and find new ways to increase their saving.

Teenage (15 - 18 years)

Discuss mutual expectations about university costs and identify what they can help fund and set goals. Don’t pay for everything, so they can experience the pride of contributing.

Young adulthood (19 - 22 years)

Discuss post-graduation plans and future life goals, quantify expenses such as first apartment, work wardrobe, holidays and help them continue to save towards these goals.

* JP Morgan Private Bank 

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The biog

Hometown: Cairo

Age: 37

Favourite TV series: The Handmaid’s Tale, Black Mirror

Favourite anime series: Death Note, One Piece and Hellsing

Favourite book: Designing Brand Identity, Fifth Edition

Updated: March 27, 2023, 11:04 AM