Giza, Egypt – In the shadow of the Great Pyramid of Giza, modern technology has unearthed a hidden structure that has left archaeologists puzzled. Ground-penetrating radar and electrical resistivity tomography scans have revealed a large, two-part structure beneath the sands of the Western Cemetery, an area that has remained relatively undisturbed for over 4,000 years.
Located west of the Great Pyramid, these scans have uncovered an L-shaped structure spanning an area of 10 by 15 meters (33 by 49 feet), lying between 0.5 and 2 meters (1.6 to 6.6 feet) below the surface. Below this shallow structure, a much larger formation, measuring 10 by 10 meters (33 by 33 feet) and buried between 3.5 and 10 meters (11.5 to 33 feet) deep, has been detected.
The nature of these structures remains unclear, but their discovery could shed new light on the Giza pyramid complex and the ancient civilization that built it. The survey area, highlighted with ground-penetrating radar colors, shows the potential to reveal significant historical insights without the need for invasive digging.
Technological advancements have enabled researchers to explore subsurface structures without causing damage. Ground-penetrating radar works by sending radio waves into the ground and measuring their reflections, allowing for the mapping of underground formations. Electrical resistivity tomography detects changes in electrical resistivity, further helping to identify subsurface materials.
Led by archaeologist Motoyuki Sato of Tohoku University in Japan, a team of Japanese and Egyptian researchers focused on a bare, flat section of the Western Cemetery, an area that has long intrigued archaeologists due to its lack of graves and tombs.
The scans revealed that the shallower structure was filled with homogeneous sand, suggesting it was deliberately filled after construction. The deeper structure, however, presented more of a mystery. Detected through electrical resistivity tomography, it seemed to be filled with a highly resistive material, possibly indicating a hollow chamber or void.
The alignment of these structures suggests a significant human-made origin, with the shallower structure potentially serving as an entrance to the deeper one. The researchers propose that these anomalies could be vertical limestone walls or shafts leading to a tomb structure, though further investigation is needed to confirm this hypothesis.
“We conclude from these results that the structure causing the anomalies could be vertical walls of limestone or shafts leading to a tomb structure,” the researchers write in their paper. “However, a more detailed survey would be required in order to confirm this possibility.”
The team’s findings, published in the journal Archaeological Prospection, highlight the ongoing potential for technology to unlock the mysteries buried beneath the sands of time, offering new insights into ancient civilizations and their monumental achievements.
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