Bird's eye view of the Great Pyramid

The Great Pyramid of Giza is located in Cairo, the capital of Egypt.

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Secrets of the Great Pyramid

What does a discovery tell us about one of the greatest wonders of the ancient world?

January 22, 2024
By Rebecca Zissou

As You Read: Identify how technology helps us learn more about the past.

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The Great Sphinx, a nearly 250-foot-long statue, sits near the Great Pyramid.

For more than 4,500 years, the Great Pyramid of Giza has towered over the Egyptian desert. This famous structure is filled with mystery. What treasures might be hidden inside it? And how exactly was it built? People have been hunting for answers to those questions for centuries.

A team of scientists joined the hunt in 2015. Working on a project called ScanPyramids, they used modern machines to examine parts of the pyramid that people can’t reach.

Earlier this year, the team announced a big discovery. They had found a hidden corridor inside the pyramid. Will that discovery lead to more answers?

The Great Pyramid of Giza towers over the Egyptian desert. It has stood for more than 4,500 years. This famous structure is filled with mystery. What treasures might be hidden inside it? How exactly was it built? People have been hunting for answers to those questions for centuries.

A team of scientists joined the hunt in 2015. They are working on a project called ScanPyramids. They use modern machines to examine parts of the pyramid that people can’t reach.

Earlier this year, the team announced a big discovery. They had found a hidden corridor inside the pyramid. Will that discovery lead to more answers?

Go Inside the Tomb

This drawing shows some of the known rooms and the newly discovered space in the pyramid.

This drawing shows some of the known rooms and the newly discovered space in the pyramid.

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Building a Giant

The Egyptian Ministry of Antiquities

The recently discovered corridor is about 30 feet long and 7 feet wide. 

Construction of the Great Pyramid began around 2550 B.C. It was built as a tomb for Khufu (KOO-foo). He was a pharaoh, or ancient Egyptian king.

Tens of thousands of workers spent about two decades building the 450-foot-high pyramid. They put more than 2 million stone blocks in place. Many blocks weigh about 5,000 pounds. That’s about as much as a minivan!  

How did the workers build the pyramid without the machines and tools that exist today? No one knows for sure.   

Construction of the Great Pyramid began around 2550 B.C. It was built as a tomb for Khufu (KOO-foo). He was a pharaoh. That’s an ancient Egyptian king.

Tens of thousands of workers built the 450-foot-high pyramid. It took them about two decades. They put more than 2 million stone blocks in place. Many blocks weigh about 5,000 pounds. That’s about as much as a minivan!  

The machines and tools we have today didn't exist back then. So how did the workers build the pyramid? No one knows for sure.  

Stop and Think: Before you turn the page, name something you know about ancient Egypt.

Stop and Think: Before you turn the page, name something you know about ancient Egypt.

Egypt's Mighty River

Jim McMahon/Mapman® 

Ancient Egyptians depended on the Nile River for fresh water, food, and transportation. Today, more than 9 out of 10 Egyptians live within a few miles of the river.

Ancient Egyptians depended on the Nile River for fresh water, food, and transportation. Today, more than 9 out of 10 Egyptians live within a few miles of the river.

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Unlocking the Past 

The ScanPyramids team hopes to solve the pyramid’s mysteries. But it hasn’t been easy. Scientists and tourists can explore some rooms inside the pyramid. But other areas are unreachable. So scientists use special technology that allows them to “see” behind walls without damaging them. 

Using that technology, the team first discovered the hidden passage a few years ago. But they didn’t know what it was. Was the passage a burial chamber or a room filled with treasures? 

To find out, scientists used a tiny camera called an endoscope. They pushed the camera through a crack in the pyramid’s stones. The camera took images of the space—which was empty.

But experts say the space is actually an important clue. It may have been created to support some of the pyramid’s weight. That likely prevented the entrance below from collapsing. 

Scientists still have a lot of unanswered questions about the Great Pyramid. They hope advances in technology will lead to more discoveries.

The ScanPyramids team hopes to solve the pyramid’s mysteries. But it hasn’t been easy. Scientists and tourists can explore some rooms inside the pyramid. But other areas are unreachable. So scientists use special technology. This allows them to “see” behind walls without damaging them. 

Using that technology, the team first discovered the hidden passage a few years ago. But they didn’t know what it was. Was the passage a burial chamber? Was it a room filled with treasures? 

To find out, scientists used a tiny camera called an endoscope. They pushed the camera through a crack in the pyramid’s stones. The camera took images of the space. It was empty.

But experts say the space is actually an important clue. It may have been created to support some of the pyramid’s weight. That likely prevented the entrance below from collapsing. 

Scientists still have a lot of unanswered questions about the Great Pyramid. They hope advances in technology will lead to more discoveries. 

A Quick Guide to Ancient Egypt

If you lived in Egypt thousands of years ago, these three things would be very important to you.

If you lived in Egypt thousands of years ago, these three things would be very important to you.

Pharaohs

Business Wire via Getty Images

This coffin was found inside King Tut’s tomb.

These rulers of ancient Egypt were believed to be gods by many people. One of the most famous pharaohs is Tutankhamen (too-tahn-KAH-muhn), or King Tut. He was only 9 when he became pharaoh.

These rulers of ancient Egypt were believed to be gods by many people. One of the most famous pharaohs is Tutankhamen (too-tahn-KAH-muhn), or King Tut. He was only 9 when he became pharaoh.

Mummies

migstock/Alamy Stock Photo

Cat mummies were buried with pharaohs to keep them company in the afterlife. 

Ancient Egyptians believed in life after death and thought people would need their bodies in the next life. So they turned people, and even cats, into mummies. This preserved, or protected, the bodies. Making mummies involved removing organs and wrapping the body in cloth.

Ancient Egyptians believed in life after death and thought people would need their bodies in the next life. So they turned people, and even cats, into mummies. This preserved, or protected, the bodies. Making mummies involved removing organs and wrapping the body in cloth.

Hieroglyphs

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In ancient Egypt, people wrote using symbols called hieroglyphs. They were carved into stone and painted on walls in tombs and other structures. Today, the symbols help experts learn about the lives of pharaohs. 

In ancient Egypt, people wrote using symbols called hieroglyphs. They were carved into stone and painted on walls in tombs and other structures. Today, the symbols help experts learn about the lives of pharaohs. 

  1. What are some questions people still have about the Great Pyramid?
  2. What is the section “Building a Giant” mostly about?
  3. What are two facts you can learn from the sidebar “A Quick Guide to Ancient Egypt”?
  1. What are some questions people still have about the Great Pyramid?
  2. What is the section “Building a Giant” mostly about?
  3. What are two facts you can learn from the sidebar “A Quick Guide to Ancient Egypt”?
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