When people think of Egypt, the first image that likely comes to mind is the pyramids, some of the most enigmatic architectural structures in human history. The internal structure and content of the pyramids have long been subjects of research for scientists and archaeologists.
There are over one hundred pyramids in Egypt, but the most famous are the three pyramids on the Giza Plateau. They serve as tombs for three pharaohs from the Fourth Dynasty of ancient Egypt and are recognized as one of the “Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.” The Great Pyramid of Khufu is the largest, with each stone used in its construction weighing between 2.5 tons and 15 tons, transported from a limestone quarry across the Nile.
The stones were transported by boat and stacked using pulleys and ramps. According to geometric principles, the builders accurately aligned the four sides of the pyramid with the four cardinal directions, ensuring that the angle of each side of the pyramid was controlled at 52 degrees.
Inside the Great Pyramid of Khufu is not as uniform as its exterior; instead, it has a labyrinthine structure. It contains three burial chambers located at the top, middle, and bottom of the pyramid. The upper chamber is the tomb of Pharaoh Khufu, with walls and ceilings made of red granite.
There are over one hundred pyramids in Egypt.
The top of this tomb is supported by five layers of massive stone beams to withstand the enormous weight of the pyramid. The entrance is sealed by a large stone. There are also passages and shafts within the pyramid, some connecting the various burial chambers to the outside, while others are false passages designed to mislead tomb robbers; some tunnels lead upwards to the sky, believed to allow the pharaoh’s soul to ascend.
The pyramid’s original surface was smooth and covered with a layer of white limestone, shimmering like a giant crystal under the sunlight. Unfortunately, during the Middle Ages, much of the limestone was stripped away and used to build fortifications and mosques in Cairo. Thus, what we see of the pyramids today is merely their internal structure, having lost its once-glorious appearance.
The entrance to the pyramid is sealed by a large stone.
Never Fully Explored Inside the Pyramids
It is said that the first individuals to explore inside the pyramids were tomb robbers in ancient Egypt. In their quest to find valuable buried artifacts, they did not hesitate to destroy the pyramid’s structure, digging tunnels and tombs while stealing numerous treasures. However, despite their efforts, they still could not uncover all the secrets of the pyramids.
The clever design of the pyramids included numerous false passages and secret chambers intended to confuse and thwart tomb robbers. Some passages were even rigged with traps such as rolling stones and closing doors to prevent robbers from advancing.
In the fifth century BCE, when the famous ancient Greek historian Herodotus visited Egypt, he recorded some of the earliest texts about the pyramids. He described the construction process and internal structure of the pyramids based on local legends, but his accounts were not entirely accurate, containing errors and exaggerations. Notably, he did not enter the pyramids himself but only observed them from the outside.
The pyramids have numerous false passages and secret chambers designed to confuse tomb robbers.
Modern research on the pyramids began with data surveys after Napoleon’s expedition to Egypt. He invited scientists and engineers to measure and map the pyramids, discovering new passages and burial chambers, but could not access the core. Their attempts to open the pyramid stones using simple tools like explosives and iron bars resulted in destruction and contamination.
Since the 20th century, scientists and archaeologists have employed advanced non-invasive technologies such as radar, sonar, X-rays, and CT scanning. These techniques allow us to look inside the pyramids without damaging their surface.
Through these technologies, they discovered some unknown spaces or secret rooms, such as the existence of two spaces within the Great Pyramid of Khufu, but the purpose and details of these spaces remain a mystery.
Muon Detection
Muon tomography is a non-destructive detection method that uses elementary particles called muons to “see through” the inside of the pyramids. So, what exactly are muons, and how can they “see through” the pyramids?
Muon tomography of the pyramid.
Muons are high-energy elementary particles that can penetrate various types of materials; however, the density and atomic structure of different materials affect the penetration speed of muons.
Scientists used this principle to build a telescope system to detect muons and placed it near the pyramids. By measuring changes in the muon flow, they could infer the distribution of matter inside the pyramids and even uncover previously unknown spaces or chambers.
This system is nearly a hundred times more sensitive than the equipment currently used to detect pyramids, capable of analyzing them from all angles and is the first time a large-scale structure has been tomographed.
Structure of the pyramid.
The project was initiated by an international research group called ScanPyramids. The group’s goal is to use advanced technology to explore the structure and contents inside the Egyptian pyramids, thereby revealing their construction processes and histories.
Members of the group include the Egyptian Antiquities Ministry, the HIP Institute in France, Nagoya University in Japan, and the High Energy Accelerator Research Organization. They received permission and support from the Egyptian government to begin muon detection in the pyramids.
Scientists have discovered several new spaces or secret rooms inside the pyramids through muon detection… These discoveries have sparked new speculations regarding the purpose of the pyramids. Some believe that these spaces or chambers may relate to the pyramids’ construction purposes, religious rituals, or burial functions.
One of the most astonishing discoveries is the finding of a “massive mysterious space” inside the Great Pyramid of Khufu. This space is located in the upper section of the pyramid, about 40 meters from the top, measuring approximately 30 meters long, 6 meters high, with an undetermined width.
The space inside the pyramid.
The shape and orientation of this space have yet to be determined; it may be horizontal or slanted. Additionally, it could be a complete space or possibly include multiple smaller spaces. These discoveries present new challenges and questions to understand the function and structure of the pyramids.
Scientists have utilized three different muon detection devices placed outside, inside, and beneath the pyramid to infer the distribution of matter within the pyramid by measuring changes in the muon flow, leading to the discovery of several previously unknown spaces or chambers.
This discovery represents a significant breakthrough and is the first time a new large-scale structure has been detected inside the Great Pyramid of Khufu. This space may be a crucial part of the pyramid or could contain some secrets of the pyramid.
However, the specific role and contents of this space remain unclear, and scientists need to conduct further research and analysis to determine its nature. To gain deeper insights, they may employ more technologies and methods, such as high-resolution muon detection, drone detection, or micro-robot detection, for more detailed observations and explorations.
Ancient civilizations have left behind numerous legacies and many mysteries. While exploring these ancient wonders, we must also pay attention to the preservation of cultural heritage. Therefore, whether it is the exploration of pyramids or the investigation of various royal tombs in China, these activities should be conducted gradually and according to scientific plans. With advancements in science and technology, we will always have better ways to accomplish both the tasks of exploration and preservation, while also showcasing more of the marvels of ancient civilizations to the world.
