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Subscribe to RSSArchitect thinks pyramid holds hidden rooms. Msnbc.com's Al Stirrett reports.
French architect Jean-Pierre Houdin says his years-long study of the Great Pyramid of Giza suggests that it was built inside-out, and that two unexplored chambers are hidden at the heart of the ancient structure. So far, Egyptian authorities haven't taken his ideas all that seriously, but there's a chance they'll actually be put to the test this year.
Researchers from Laval University in Quebec say they want to probe the pyramid's insides for a whole year using infrared thermography, a technology that they say would let them "see" through thick stone walls without disturbing the 4,500-year-old monument.
"It's a non-invasive technique," Xavier Maldague, an engineering professor who specializes in infrared thermography, told Postmedia News. "We won't even touch the surface of the pyramid."
Archaeologists have long puzzled over how the Egyptians built the Great Pyramid, which served as a monument to the Pharaoh Khufu (2589-2566 B.C.). Houdin proposes that the builders had stones brought up external ramps at first, but then constructed a corkscrew system of internal ramps to finish the 450-foot-high structure.
During a news conference in Paris today, Houdin said 3-D simulations point to the existence of two secret chambers at the pyramid's heart. He said similar chambers have been found in the pyramid of Snefru, Khufu's father, and that the hidden rooms in Khufu's pyramid might have held furniture meant for the pharaoh's use in the afterlife.
"I am convinced that there are antechambers in this pyramid," AFP quoted Houdin as saying. "What I want is to find them."
Houdin's past proposals for a pyramid probe have been rebuffed, but he was hopeful that the Laval expedition would turn up evidence to back up his claims.
Maldague said infrared imaging could reveal the outlines of the internal ramp. Thermal imaging devices could trace how different structures and materials within the pyramid radiate heat differently, he said. If there is an internal construction ramp, the thermal patterns would indicate anomalies. "By measuring the differences in temperatures on several parts of the pyramid, it will tell us where the ramp is," Maldague told Postmedia News.
Infrared cameras could be set up in a hotel located about 1,000 feet (300 meters) from the pyramid, and the imagery could be beamed back to Laval over the Internet, Maldague said. He hopes to get authorization from Egyptian authorities by the end of this year, and start his measurements by mid-2012.
More about Egyptian mysteries:
- Archaeologists unearth Sphinx's protective walls
- Robot to expose hidden secrets of Great Pyramid
- Egypt's top archaeologist shows off newfound tomb
- Dig sheds light on the lifestyle of the pyramid-builders
Join the Cosmic Log community by clicking the "like" button on our Facebook page or by following msnbc.com science editor Alan Boyle as b0yle on Twitter. To learn more about Alan Boyle's book about Pluto and the search for planets, check out the website for "The Case for Pluto."
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Hawass will never approve it!!!! haha.....
It makes more sense they were built inside out as that would explain how they were able to see.... since there is not enough Oxygen to use torches all day carving and painting.
They were clearly completed layer-by-layer as you might do with Lego blocks. But what they mean by "inside-out" here is that the blocks for the upper levels were hauled up by a ramp 30-50' inside the pyramid completed lower part. By the way, the Pyramids at Giza have virtually no carvings or paintings on their walls - they are nothing like the tombs in the Valley of the Kings, which are astonishing. I've been inside the Pyramids including the entranceway of the Step Pyramid of Djoser, and descended to the heart of four tombs in the Valley or the Kings, including King Tut's which isn't actually very impressive except Tut's actually there, and Nefertari's tomb in the Valley or the Queens. I don't agree with the inside-out hypothesis since it would have been so much easier to build ramps outside than haul stones over a stone surface with numerous turns with tight interior space.
that inside out style would seem a little wacko then!
Thats cool I'de like to see this one day but unfortunately bush the moron made this too dangerous for americans
Of course the pyramids have been built from the inside out. But the "scientists" cannot seem to figure this out; constantly coming up with complex answers to a simple problem. The pyramids of Mesoamerica were built the same way, inside out. My brother (a cultural anthropologist) and me, laugh at all of the wasted video tape of others' ideas. Like Aliens did it. Honey, P-l-e-e-e-ase!
As for visiting Egypt? Visit. It may be safer than your own hometown. e.g. The Media over-dramatize EVERYTHING, turning fires into the burning of Atlanta, and minor flooding into towns swept away.
My relatives call me whenever there is flooding in the hills. Their local Media makes it appear as though the entire city has been swept into the ocean.
I would think that as with mordern day construction it would take bottom to top inside outside top to bottom techniques. Not one or the other. To me it is a way to silence alien critiques and it really doesn't matter. Some riddles are best left unsolved they lead to inspiration instead of absolution. Mysteries inspire out of the box thinking. We need more of it not absolution.
Sure mysteries being solved can lead to growth, yet I like this one to stay a mystery. No harm if it isn't solved. Why? why be so analytical why be so critical? After you solve it it will become a stale subject.
I Love Math, but without the Love it would just Be, I Math
So I guess aliveinsd is one of the people who believe that the Egyptians were able to place a stone every 9 seconds? Even if you doubled the currently believed time that it took to make the pyramid you would still have to place a stone every 18 seconds for 44 years.
So how is the non-intervention theory more plausible?
bspurloc - I guess if Bush was quite the moron, he must have been the person who taught you to assemble a sentence.
I also find it impressive that Bush was able to create a religion, thousands of years old, just to one day be able to react to circumstances, set in motion decades before, in order to sabotage himself... Wow.
That is perhaps the most unintelligent post I have read this month. Right up there is the person who blamed the government for the dead bird phenomena. I mean really, read a book or something. The protests and riots going on presently are due to the corrupt regime, that has been in place for the last 30 years. Before even the first Bush took office.
You could make a kitten cry. Happy Friday.
I have also heard that Zahi Hawass resists efforts to probe a possible vault underneath the Sphinx.
Though not agreed upon by all, some archeologists insist that the Sphinx and the Great Pyramid are much older than currently thought. Water erosion patterns on the Sphinx (different from sand erosion) suggest thousands of years of exposure to a climate of frequent rainfall, which has not happened in Egypt since thousands of years before the flowering of Egyptian civilization. Some have proposed an age of 13,000 years, rather than the currently accepted 5000. It sounds far out to me, but I would love to know.
It could be that Hawass is afraid of archeologists finding evidence of an older civilization pre-dating Egypt that are the actual builders of these monuments. Either way, how they were actually built may never be known for certain.
Joeybagofdonuts, the Hegira (or Hijra) took place in 622, not thousands of years ago and whatever you seem to be responding to has nothing to do with that but rather with present day politics. Also, you seem to care; exactly about what, I can't tell, but you definitely seem to care...
Um, I'm not quite what source Tony is using for his calculations.
According to Wikipedia, "Based on these estimates, .... since it consists of an estimated 2.3 million blocks, completing the building in 20 years would involve moving an average of more than 12 of the blocks into place each hour."
12 blocks an hour is still impressive, but certainly more realistic than Tony's 9 seconds. Here's the math: 22 years= 693,792,000 seconds divided by 2.3 million blocks = one block every 301 seconds, or about every 5 minutes, which is 12 an hour.
Allowing for only 12 hours average of daylight, that's 24 an hour over the 22 years. This is actually realistic. It is only 6 an hour per side. Envisioning 3 crews working on each side, that's 2 an hour per crew. Still impressive, but completely possible. All you need is enough people. What is really impressive is that they kept the pace up for 22 years!
So, yes, I think it is much more plausible that they had twelve crews each placing 2 stones an hour than the idea that aliens built the thing.
Of course, the 2.3 million blocks figure is just an estimate. Others have estimated that there are less than 600,000 blocks. Given that figure, you start to wonder why they didn't have it done in less than 20 years.
Bush is to blame? .. When are you liberal nuts going to grow up pass the IQ of a 3 day old flea ...
Just like any job, there are things that you can not predict. Breaking a block when placing it, whether, war, deaths on the job, there could be a hundreds of set backs over a 20 year period.
Texas-Ranger, Bush is to blame for what? When are you conservative morons gonna stop jumping at the chance to call one idiot that mentions bush a liberal and trying to insult all liberals intelligence because of it. Didnt you see people saying his an idiot for talking about bush? We all know this has nothing to do with bush, but here you are with the IQ of a 3rd grader has nothing better to say on the subject of the article
I think Hawass is just afraid someone else will get attention besides him. He is much better at showboating than archaeology.
Wugg; 2 shay! But even using your calculations you have to take into account that fact that they had to cut (and cut them perfectly as they were) and move all those blocks (weighing on average 50 tons) from approximately over 500 miles away!
Egypt must have had a HUGE population to have that many young strong master masons and men to move all that weight. Not to mention absolute and unwavering loyalty(slaves or not) to their country. And what were all the other people NOT working on the pyramid doing? How can you support such a population when such a high percentage of those people are spending practically ALL their time on the pyramid?
To me its more about the Intent of the purpose of the idea. Each person had a piece to the puzzle, purpose. Some made food, some cut stones, some provided water, some managed, some build, etc. etc.
This kind of project is what we need today. It isn't about money, it is about purpose. As long as the Purpose and intent are good than the idea is what creates Unity.
It worked for JFK but it probably wouldn't work with such a divided leadership looking for control. Big O was smart enough to stay away from this. Disappoints me that we are not aiming high.
Pyramids, Canals, Railroads, Trip to the moon, computers, internet etc.etc. How can you possibly limit what man can achieve? It starts in your head either you can or you can't.
It is only impossible until someone does it. Split an atom? Yeah Right!
If he can do it in a hotel and it's non-invasive I don't see why he won't get permission to do this.
For that reason, I don't see why he NEEDS permission.
Perhaps he NEEDS permission because that's not on his property - just a wild guess, but it seems to me that Egypt is a free and sovereign Country...
And the permission may yet come when and if it is deemed interesting enough by the owners.
Uh, no, he's essentially intercepting and recording photons streaming out from the pyramid; in other words, "taking a picture". It's a special camera, not one you and I could buy, but there is no difference. No one needs permission to take a picture of the pyramid from his hotel window.
I would agree, but sometimes countries get mad when you dont ask permission. If they found out he was doing something like this without permission, would you want to be impisoned for it?
Trouble is, he opened his mouth. He should have taken his readings, gotten out of Egypt, THEN asked for permission.
Hahaha thats what I thought when I read the article.
@ Leeko
I agree. Even if he's too obsessed and he's wrong, nothing will be harmed. If he's right, we'll learn something new. I don't think it's nutty to consider that there are other chambers in the Great Pyramid to protect artifacts from intruders.
Maybe the stargate will be in one of those "secrete chambers"! Better get mcgyver siuted up!
I don't know if that's necessarily true. The Chinese have kept a very strict control on the excavation of the tomb of the first emperor of China. They are proceeding with extreme caution do to concerns that bringing the contents of the tomb into contact with the fresh air would destroy them. While I'm sure excavating the huge tomb mound of the emperor is no easy task, it doesn't compare with what it would take to tunnel into the heart of a pyramid of egypt...I believe that if chambers were indeed found there would not be a "mad rush" by scientists to "dig into" the pyramid to get to them.
The request will be denied because it were found to be true, that there are hidden chambers, there is no force on earth that could hold back the "Scientists" from eventually gaining permission to do invasive, damaging, exploratory work.
I agree with dragonmaster. They will do more damage now. Thermographics would be nice pictures of things not seen tho.
If Hawass doesn't approve it then Houdin can always find someone else with more pull in the political forums to override his descision. I think that if Hawass does not allow the exploration to continue that he is merely being selfish because he didn't find the new rooms.
One has to wonder if DaVinci used the Egyptian temples in his artwork to hide more truth's about the line of Agamogenesia, of which Mary and Jesus were both part of, in his artwork and mechanical designs.
From everything I've seen and read, Hawass is a very hard man to get along with. There was a documentary on TV a while back of him putting together an archeological expedition. He hand picked the all the archeologists. They weren't allowed to make a move without his approval. He kicked people off the team for the least little thing. Not a nice man.
It would be really great to discover if there are other chambers though.
Dr. Zahi Hawass is simply doing his job as a Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities; and after still recent period of colonial plunder he must be cautious about every proposal that comes his way from abroad.
Just consider what would be American (for example) reaction if he wanted to run such non-invasive scans under monuments in US - just on a hunch that he might find something no one else knew about.
Maybe if he's successful the Egyptian authorities will finally let somebody investigate the "chamber" under the Sphinx.
It would be interesting if the technology could be used for more important uses like searching for survivors of building collapses, trapped miners, mudslides.
Besides, the pyramids were built by people with diminishing goals, the original plans were to be big square buildings.
Hawass will never approve it! He's to much of an a$$wipe, and thinks that he is an Egyptian God.
he thinks he is a Pharaoh u mean!!!
Exactly!
I've read a book about this theory, and I hope they get the chance to explore the pyramid for more evidence. Certainly it's a good new idea on how the pyramid might have been constructed.
People, you can't blame Hawass for being over protective of the sites in Egypt, just think about all the robbery and destruction of artifacts in the past. If we had artifacts that old in this country we would be just as protective.
since it is done from a distance like taking a picture , why would any permit be needed? in efect it is a picture. just therminal.
This is just curiosity, and isn't relevant to my own beliefs since I plan to be cremated anyway, but for all these scientists exploring the pyramids, taking pictures, and removing artifacts... do they really want someone digging up their grave in 3000 years? Regardless of what they have found and think they have learned, that is basically what it comes down to... they are digging up the equivalent to graves, and in some cases entire cemeteries.
Agreed there were many, many unscrupulous people back in the 1800s and 1900s, and still grave robbers today. But most (reputable) archeologists today take great care of and respect what they find, and try to learn all they can about how folks were buried, how the mummies were wrapped and mummified, why items are buried with them and what those items are, etc. . . .
Who knows? In 3000 years, people may be wondering why you chose to have yourself cremated. Did you choose an urn, or did you choose to be scattered? Headstone, memorial plaque, or none? What did that say about the culture and times you lived in? What did your family think about your decision? If they have your ashes, they may be able to test them to see what you used to eat, to learn about our times and what animals/plants were in existence during these times, etc. . . .
The brain is considered a muscle; if we do not continue to use it and learn, we stagnate, and have shorter, less-rewarding lives!
Weren't the ancients quite the clever lot? They're still keeping us guessing.
Houdin should phone Hosni Mubarak today and offer to discuss the plan over tea this afternoon.
There is no proof, whatsoever, that this was a monument to Khufu - none. There is also no proof that it is only 4500 years old. Dr. Hawass knows very well that it is much older. Read an engineer's evaluation of the pyramid (Christopher Dunn). Being a skeptic, it is surprisingly plausible. It would be nice to see what the IRT turns up...
If you would be a real seeker after truth, it is necessary that at least once in your life you doubt, as far as possible, all things. ~ René Descartes
This first key to wisdom is assiduous and frequent questioning. For by doubting we come to inquiry and by inquiry we arrive at truth. ~ Peter Abelard
I don't think Hawass will give permission easily. It's not his theory. But, I think eventually the research will be allowed.
I personally think it is really funny when we "modern" humans wonder at the accomplishments of earlier ages. We are just so damned arrogant. We assume that anyone who did not live in our industrialized and now digital times was somehow less intelligent, dimwitted and unable to grasp simple geometry or the very basic laws of physics. Yes, there was apparently a giant leap from hunter-gatherer to building complex structures, but it is no more amazing than the leap we have made from horse and wagon to space travel in less than 200 years. We really need to get over ourselves.
And yet here we are 4500 years (supposedly) later and still debate how the pyramid could have been built. Even with computers and lasers and ALL those years of history and experience to build on, and yet we still would have an extremely difficult time building them today. Compare this to what the ancients had such as copper tools, rudimentary math, no machines, and fresh out of living in caves.
I find it hard to believe that people DON'T believe in alien intervention here, or at least an older and more advanced civilization that disappeared for whatever reason.
i totally agree with you Tony.
After viewing that video I'm more curious about the technology used for that 3D display than what's inside the ol' pyramid.
Since pyramids exist around the globe on or at specific geocoordinates (research Pyramids throughout the world and ley lines), the burial 'tomb' seems just a cover story. Stay with me here - there is a theory that the pyramids are power plants created by ancients to harness the energy of the earth. Recall that Nicola Tesla theorized and tested a variation of this (non pyramidal) with funding by JP Morgan who then pulled all funding and the government confiscated all of Tesla's plans and materials. Also Wilhelm Reich had a theory of another energy source (orgone) which most all his records were confiscated by the government and destroyed.
The overarching theme being, if there is a method to tap so called "Free" energy of the earth and harmonic resonance that also has other positive effects (search Russian pyramid research), there are a lot of current vested interests who would not want it until they've milked the public and taxpayer tills dry from the current energy systems and medical systems. In 2000 years if someone came upon the cooling towers from a Nuclear power plant would they think they were a burial tomb to some ancient king / god? Something to think about.
Everything you said are things to think about except your last sentence. Those power plants just don't look cool enough to house a dead king :)
i can't believe the will of the kings are not respected, they made the pyramids for reasons that when they return, they have all their belongings still waiting for them. if people continue to invade, what will they do when they return.
Huh? They arent coming back....:/
I believe in the afterlife and even I think its ridiculous to say that ancient Pharaohs would care about us exploring their pyramids and tombs 5,000 or more years later. We want to learn about them because they fascinate us! I imagine if they came to life right now, they would gladly boast about how they were made! I know I would!
actually it's interesting you mention that. some pyramids have shown drawings of aliens, present at the time of the making of the pyramids. and, even though i don't know everything, so im quickly trying to read up on history of the bible, the different gods, and the God thee creator, because sometimes i get too many visions, more then i can handle at one time. i have seen the reflection of some kings threw the pyramids of the hundred dollar bills, so they are returning. they wont be mad that we looked into their tombs, if they are mad at all, it would do to the judging of our characters. and what they have to offer, is alot of good stuff, so this is why we need to keep repeating to each other, to be good, in the eyes of the Lord.
If you believe in God and the Bible, you would know that its impossible for Egyptian Pharaoahs to be the ones to judge us. Only God can do that.
Egyptian pharaohs will not come back because they are only mortal like you and I. Nothing less, nothing more. Just because they were born into royalty 5,000 BC dosent make them anymore special than the Bush or Obama of today.
Also, I *believe* the pyramids were made by slave work. The last person to be judging me is someone who forced others to do against their will.
yeah i meant about touching their stuff, which i was just messing around, or not, even today when a person dies his will is respected. but, we are children of these ancient ones, so they left it for us to check out, so why wouldn't they even want us too, even if they would return later in the future. but anyways, it's all mystical to me. i hope they find the hidden chambers, and teach us even more about history.
I hope they wait until December 21, 2012 before they start anything with the interior of this pyramid. That way, if it holds secrets about our origins, we won't care what they find then.
Hawass is an absolute despot. 20 years ago scientists wanted to xray the feet of the Sphinx. They were sure there were undiscovered areas (rooms). They speculated that there was all sorts of knowledge holed up. Nothing has been done and nothing will be done until Hawass decides it is time.
THere is no need to take special pictures of the pyramid. Professor Haw-ass, Supreme Commander of the Invisible Council of Ancient Artifacts of the Land of Khem could tell him anything and everything he might want to know.
Hawass blocks any "Big" discoveries until/unless he can claim the glory for it, or at least until he can call Nat Geo so they can get a TV crew there.
He's also against any foreigners or non-Muslims working on the most famous artifacts.
The same guy looking for the chambers proposed there were internal ramps inside the pyramid, which would help explain some questions regarding how it was built.
A different team using the same IR tech he wants to use now found those ramps and Hawass flat out refuses to admit it might be true, even faced with direct evidence.
He's a glory hog and a bigot.
X.