Pharaoh Khufu's final resting place has caught the attention of many archeologists and historians. The Egyptian Pharaoh's resting place has circulated with many interesting stories about hidden tombs and unknown passageways found in the historic structure built in 2550 B.C.
To date, CAIRO, EGYPT - OCTOBER 21: Camels and horses stand tied to a fence below the Great Pyramid of Giza on October 21, 2013 in Cairo, Egypt. The Pyramids of Giza, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world and built around 2600 B.C., are one of Egypt's major tourist drawcards. After a summer of violence, tourist numbers across Egypt are at their lowest levels since a 2010 peak in tourism in the country.
While Egypt's tourism sector took a dive following the popular uprising that overthrew President Hosni Mubarak in early 2011, occupancy rates of hotels in the capital Cairo and across Egypt have been reported as dramatically down since the Egyptian military's overthrow of President Morsi in July. In 2010, tourism represented 13% of Egypt's economy and employed one in seven of the country's workers.
Researchers from ScanPyramids project have reported these recent interesting findings. The project was co-sponsored by Cairo University, Faculty of Engineering and Heritage, Innovation and Preservation (HIP) Institute, a Paris-based NGO.
In the previous years, many scanning technologies have been used to further investigate the interior structures of the Great Pyramid. Scientists however have tried their best not to go inside and disturb the pyramid's interior quality, Rosella Lorenzi confirmed to Seeker.
"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," as released by the scientists in a report, Lorenzi confirmed.
Years of research have revealed that there there three separate chamber inside the pyramid. The chambers however have been the only chambers known inside the mausoleum, as reported by Sarah Cascone to artiste News.
Various temperature conditions have been found to exist in side the pyramid. This was confirmed thru a series of infrared scans done last year.
ScanPyramids project resorted to the use of infrared thermography, muon radiography imaging and 3-D reconstruction were all part of the team's goals to scan the pyramid thru in a non-invasive way.
Muography, however, proved to be most effective. The technique works by measuring cosmic radiation "to peer inside large objects like volcanoes", Coscone confirmed. The scan is able to detect density by studying the movement of these particles as they travel thru different media (example rock). In their experiments, the scans revealed that there are at least two hidden voids underneath the pyramid.
"The precise shape, size and exact position of this void is now under further investigation," the researchers confirmed in a statement.
To date, the scientists are putting up more muon detectors around the pyramid. This technique will hopefully increase their chances of getting a better picture of what is inside the Great Pyramid.
Further investigation is being practiced with utter caution however.
"These people are scientists and do not have an archaeological background. The core of the pyramid was built using long stones and small stones. If you know that, you'll find anomalies everywhere," Zahi Hawass, former Egyptian minister of antiquities, confirmed.
Hawass leads a committee that reviews the team's data. Hawass further confirmed to Lorenzi. "I think there are no secret rooms and these anomalies have to do with the way the pyramid was built."
As of the moment, the ScanPyramids project has been further extended so that the team can gather further findings to support their theory.
