Hidden Chamber Discovered in Great Pyramid

There is always more to learn.

By Brian Barnett

A large empty space has been discovered within Khufu's pyramid that may indicate the presence of a hidden chamber.

There are a few rooms inside the monument that archaeologists have been able to examine for years, but, not allowed to explore in any way that might damage the pyramid, they discovered the space using muography, a technique that utilizes an elementary particle (called a muon) capable of penetrating dense matter, according to ScanPyramids, via Gizmodo.

The void in Khufu's pyramid. (Image courtesy of ScanPyramids Mission)

Through this technique, scientists were able to uncover a large void above the Great Gallery. About 70 feet above ground level, it is at least 100 feet long. While the researchers want to avoid using the word "chamber" explicitly at this point, as they stressed in a recent press conference, they are still examining possibilities as to what the space could be.

Egypt's Supreme Council of Antiquities is very strict in its regulation of the historical sites. Due to the age and importance of the pyramids, scientists have had to find new ways to explore the pyramids without causing damage. And so scientists employed muography, a technique already used to examine ruins in Rome and Mexico, and it has military applications as well.

Aerial view of the Great Pyramid. (Image courtesy of ScanPyramid Mission)

The ultimate find would be funerary items and treasures that have remained undisturbed in the hidden area for thousands of years, but scientists are not getting their hopes up, as it may just end up being an empty space. The void is located in a hard-to-reach place, and so more details might be slow to come.

Located where the room is, it would require drilling, and it is unlikely that the Supreme Council of Antiquities would approve such an operation.

The Great Pyramids are one of the Wonders of the World, and were built nearly 5,000 years ago, and many mysteries still remain regarding their construction, and the transportation of the materials used to build them.

The Pharoah Khufu's pyramid is the largest one in Giza. Built during the Fourth Dynasty of Egypt, Khufu's pyramid was the tallest construct on Earth for almost 4,000 years.

Of course, if you're looking to explore Egypt yourself, unencumbered by modern day restrictions, you can head back in time with the recently released Assassin's Creed Origins, which is set during the Ptolemaic Kingdom.

Brian Barnett is an IGN Freelance Writer. He loves pyramids, and plans to make the journey to Egypt one day to see them himself (having missed a family vacation to Egypt during college). Until then, he will have to be content climbing them in Assassin's Creed: Origins. You can follow him on Twitter @Ribnax.

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