Egypt detects 'impressive' anomaly in Giza pyramids

Egypt detects 'impressive' anomaly in Giza pyramids
French architect Jean-Pierre Houdin, noted for a theory on pyramid construction, speaks during a press conference, in front of the Khufu pyramid in Giza, Egypt, Monday, Nov. 9, 2015. Egypt's Antiquities Ministry says a scanning project in the Giza pyramids has identified thermal anomalies, including one in the largest pyramid, built by Cheops, known locally as Khufu. (AP Photo/Nariman El-Mofty)

Two weeks of new thermal scanning in Egypt's Giza pyramids have identified anomalies in the 4,500 year-old burial structures, including a major one in the largest pyramid, the Antiquities Ministry announced Monday.

Antiquities Minister Mamdouh el-Damaty and technical experts working on the project showed the higher temperature being detected in three specific adjacent stones at the bottom of the pyramid in a live thermal camera presentation to journalists.

The scanning showed "a particularly impressive one (anomaly) located on the Eastern side of the Khufu pyramid at ground level," the ministry said in a statement. The largest of the three Giza pyramids is known locally as Khufu and internationally as Cheops.

The thermal scanning was carried out at all times of the day, including during sunrise, as the sun heats the structures from the outside, and then during sunset as the pyramids are cooling down. The speed of the heating and cooling phases is being used to uncover "hypotheses" such as empty areas in the pyramids, internal air currents, or different building materials used.

"The first row of the pyramid's stones are all uniform, then we come here and find that there's a difference in the formation," said el-Damaty, pointing at the three stones showing higher temperatures.

While inspecting the area, el-Damaty said they found "that there is something like a small passage in the ground that you can see, leading up to the pyramids ground, reaching an area with a different temperature. What will be behind it?"

Other heat anomalies were detected in the upper half of the pyramid that the experts said need to be investigated further.

Egypt detects 'impressive' anomaly in Giza pyramids
French architect Jean-Pierre Houdin, right, and Egypt's Antiquities Minister Mamdouh el-Damaty, second right, stand near the limestone rocks that are displayed on the screen showing varying temperatures represented by different colors with live footage from a thermal camera, in front of the Khufu pyramid in Giza, Egypt, Monday, Nov. 9, 2015. Egypt's Antiquities Ministry says a scanning project in the Giza pyramids has identified thermal anomalies, including one in the largest pyramid, built by Cheops, known locally as Khufu. (AP Photo/Nariman El-Mofty)

El-Damaty invited all Egyptologists, especially those interested in ancient Egyptian architecture, to join in the research and help come up with ideas on what could be behind the anomalies.

The pyramids, located on the outskirts of Cairo, are one of the major tourist attractions in the country. The pyramids, which were used as sacred burial structures, were built in the fourth Pharaonic dynasty. The great pyramid is the oldest and only surviving monument of the seven wonders of the ancient world.

  • Egypt detects 'impressive' anomaly in Giza pyramids
    Members from a French research team use a thermal camera, center, to detect varying temperatures of the limestone blocks during a press conference, in front of the Khufu pyramid in Giza, Egypt, Monday, Nov. 9, 2015. Egypt's Antiquities Ministry says a scanning project in the Giza pyramids has identified thermal anomalies, including one in the largest pyramid, built by Cheops, known locally as Khufu. (AP Photo/Nariman El-Mofty)
  • Egypt detects 'impressive' anomaly in Giza pyramids
    Egypt's Antiquities Minister Mamdouh el-Damaty, briefs journalists after a press conference held in front of the Khufu pyramid in Giza, Egypt, Monday, Nov. 9, 2015. Egypt's Antiquities Ministry said a scanning project in the Giza pyramids has identified thermal anomalies, including one in the largest pyramid, built by Cheops, known locally as Khufu. (AP Photo/Nariman El-Mofty)

© 2015 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

Citation: Egypt detects 'impressive' anomaly in Giza pyramids (2015, November 9) retrieved 28 March 2024 from https://phys.org/news/2015-11-egypt-anomaly-giza-pyramids.html
This document is subject to copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study or research, no part may be reproduced without the written permission. The content is provided for information purposes only.

Explore further

Experts in new bid to unravel 'secrets' of pyramids

378 shares

Feedback to editors