Ancient Egyptian Structure Discovered Near Giza Pyramids

Archaeologists believe that the pyramids in Egypt are shaped as they are to represent a stairway for the pharaoh's ascent to heaven. These marvels of ancient engineering have many mysteries surrounding them, such as the almost impossible-to-build design. Yet, these grand structures stand glimmering today in the desert sun. Giza in Egypt is just 13 km southwest of the capital Cairo. The complex includes the three pyramids and the Sphinx, with the largest pyramid being the Great Pyramid of Giza, commissioned by the pharaoh Khufu over 4,500 years ago. Recently, archaeologists in Egypt have discovered an “anomaly” beneath a royal graveyard near Giza’s 4,500-year-old Great Pyramid. The pyramid, which is Egypt’s largest, was built to honour the pharaoh Khufu. Its neighboring ancient necropolis contains many aboveground monuments, or mastabas, dedicated to the pharaoh’s family members and high-ranking officials. Using groundbreaking ground-breaking technology, researchers have unearthed a previously unknown structure in a seemingly "blank area" of the Giza pyramid complex.

About The Discovery

Archaeologists in Egypt have used remote sensing techniques to discover an enigmatic L-shaped structure underground in the western cemetery of Giza. The cemetery is the final resting place for royal family members and high-ranking officials, with many of their tombs featuring above-ground rectangular stone or mud-brick structures with flat roofs, known as "mastabas."

A study published this month in the journal Archaeological Prospection explains that “A mastaba is a type of tomb, which has a flat roof and rectangular structure on the ground surface, constructed out of limestone or mudbricks”. According to the study, the L-shaped structure "seems to have been filled with sand, which means it was backfilled after it was constructed". The deeper structure could be a mix of sand and gravel, or perhaps an air void, the team behind the study said.

The surface-level tombs consist of vertical shafts connected to underground chambers. Although many of the site’s mastabas were excavated in the 20th century, one area without any notable aboveground features remained unexamined. Researchers have conducted scans that indicate the possible presence of archaeological remains in this area. They emphasise the importance of promptly excavating the site to determine its purpose. Excavations are currently underway, as reported by Live Science.