Exploring the Great Pyramid void

The international ScanPyramids team has published a paper revealing more details about one of the voids discovered in the Pyramid of Khufu in 2016/2017 (see ‘News’, AE 93).

The Great Pyramid of Khufu at Giza. Image: Robert B Partridge

Several large anomalies were discovered after the pyramid was bombarded with radiographic muon particles, a non-invasive method of visualising the pyramid’s internal structure.

The paper reports on the findings of a dedicated study of the corridor-shaped structure, behind the so-called ‘chevron zone’ on the north face, just above the entrance, which reveal a space 9 metres long and 2.1 metres wide.

The inside of the 9-metre-long hidden corridor at the Great Pyramid at Giza, which was revealed using cosmic-ray muon radiography. Image: ScanPyramids/Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities

Although this is not a newly discovered tunnel – as claimed in a large number of press and social media reports – the research is still an important step in understanding how the pyramids were constructed.

The team believe the most likely function of these voids was to relieve pressure so as to help keep the pyramid structurally intact.