It boggles the mind to consider that the only one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World that stands today still has secrets to reveal. But Egypt’s 4,500 year old Great Pyramid of Giza (alternately called the Pyramid of Khufu and the Pyramid of Cheops) indeed contains a mystery deep within its chambers. And in order to make an effort at coaxing these hidden wonders into the light of day, experts have determined that it’s time to send in the robots.
As explained by The Independent, located near the center of the pyramid are two significant rooms: the King’s Chamber and the Queen’s Chamber. Leaving the King’s Chamber in opposite directions are a pair of shafts that rise at 45 degree angles until they end at the opposing outer faces of the pyramid. There are two similar shafts that lead away from the Queen’s Chamber, but they end abruptly. In 1992, a remote camera sent up one of the shafts from the Queen’s Chamber determined that it was sealed by a copper-handled limestone door after 60 meters. A decade later, a return exploration drilled through this door only to discover a second one sitting just inches beyond.
Researchers at University of Leeds however are making final preparations for the robotic explorer that is at the heart of the Djedi Project, named for the magician that the pharaoh Khufu is said to have consulted during the process of planning the pyramid.
Project scientists are proceeding with the dual mission to see for the first time what lies beyond the additional door (or doors) while being careful not to inflict excessive damage to this remarkable antiquity. The project has been in development for five years, and should final adjustments and preparations proceed according to plan, the Leeds team aims to send in their exploration robot in search of answers to the ongoing mystery by the end of this year.
Photo by Alex lbh via Wikimedia Commons.