The Great Pyramid is full of mysteries, which have only deepened thanks to the discovery of a "big void" found within the monument.
This void marks as the first such discovery in Khufu's Pyramid, also known as the Great Pyramid, since the 19th century. An article was published by the journal Nature, where scientists discuss their discovery of a 100-foot-long, 26-foot-high chamber found within the pyramid through advanced technology that allowed for observation of cosmic-ray muons. Essentially, they used particles from space to build a 3D picture of the internal structure of the pyramid without going inside it.The void is the first large inner structure discovered within the 4,500-year-old pyramid since the 1800s -- a find made possible by recent advances in high-energy particle physics," according to the article.Since 2015, Dr. Tayoubi and his team have been investigating the pyramid using a particle physics technique called muon tomography in order see through to its center, ultimately finding this new discovery. "We tried to do for the pyramid what a doctor can do with X-rays," Tayoubi said in the NY Times. Read about Dr. Tayoubi and his team's ScanPyramids technology here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZB-MOGw0RMo
But, Zahi Hawass, a former antiquities master, claims that the void is not a new discovery. "I do believe that we have to be always very careful about the word 'void' because the Great Pyramid is full of voids."
Now, just because this void may not be considered a new discovery, it had to have had a purpose, right? So, what purpose did this big void serve?
Kate Spence, Senior Lecturer in Egyptian Archaeology at the University of Cambridge, U.K., believes that it could be "something that was included in the design of the building for architectural purposes."
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photo courtesy of ScanPyramids Mission[/caption]
Scientists seem to have found "a linear anomaly above a gallery which is a very complex piece of construction in the center of the Great Pyramid." Spence told Newsweek, "If you look at the cross section of the pyramid, above the kings chamber -- the main burial chamber -- there are a whole series of little chambers which are roofed with incredibly heavy big granite blocks ... the remains of a constructional ramp which has been built within the pyramid, probably for getting those blocks into place."
The Great Pyramid was constructed during the reign of Pharaoh Khufu (2509 to 2483 B.C.). Very little is known about the Pharaoh, so the pyramid gives us a glimpse into his life and reign. The pyramid is the only wonder left of the ancient world. Many scientists and experts of its history still argue over how the pyramid and others were constructed, causing great interest in this hidden chamber.
What are your thoughts on this discovery within the Great Pyramid? What do you believe the hidden chamber was used for? Also, do you think more history will be uncovered, thanks to the advance scanning technology? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
