Experts discover ‘cavities’ in Egypt’s Great Pyramid

Antiquities ministry announce the finding of two "anomalies" in the 4,500-year-old pyramid.

Great Pyramid of Giza, where unknown cavities have been discovered. Getty Images

Cairo // Egypt’s Great Pyramid of Giza could contain two previously unknown “cavities”, scientists using radiography to scan the structure said on Saturday.

On Thursday, the antiquities ministry announced finding “two anomalies” in the pyramid built 4,500 years ago under King Khufu, with further tests planned to determine their function, nature and size.

At 146 metres tall, Khufu pyramid, named after the son of pharaoh Snefru, is considered one of the seven wonders of the ancient world.

It has three known chambers, and like other pyramids in Egypt was intended as a pharaoh’s tomb.

“We are now able to confirm the existence of a ‘void’ hidden behind the north face, that could have the form of at least one corridor going inside the Great Pyramid,” scientists from Operation ScanPyramids said.

Another “cavity” was discovered on the pyramid’s north-east flank, said the researchers who are using radiography and 3D reconstruction for their study.

Operation ScanPyramids began in October last year to search for hidden rooms inside Khufu and its neighbour Khafre in Giza, as well as the Bent and Red pyramids in Dahshur, all south of Cairo.

The project applies a mix of infrared thermography, muon radiography imaging and 3D reconstruction – all of which the researchers say are non-invasive and non-destructive techniques.

Muons are similar to X-rays and can go through hundreds of metres of stone before being absorbed, ScanPyramids said.

“Judiciously placed detectors – for example inside a pyramid, below a potential, unknown chamber – can then record particle tracks and discern cavities from denser regions.”

Egypt last year started radar scans of Tutankhamun’s tomb in the Valley of the Kings in southern Egypt, after a British archaeologist theorised that queen Nefertiti was buried in a secret chamber there.

Nicholas Reeves suggested that Tutankhamun’s tomb was in fact Nefertiti’s, and when the boy king died unexpectedly at a young age, he was rushed into her tomb’s outer chamber.

Egyptologists have since differed on whether there is a secret chamber in the tomb and further analysis is expected.

* Agence France-Presse