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In 1954 an Egyptian team of archaeologists discovered a puzzling find: wooden beams that appeared to have been carefully removed in a pit near the base of the Great Pyramid of Giza.
The Great Pyramid ofGiza, also referred toas the Pyramid ofKhufu, is the oldest and largest ofthe three pyramids atthe complex inEl Giza, Egypt. It was once the oldest ofthe Seven Wonders ofthe Ancient World, and is now the only one left. The secret ofhow it was built has perplexed archaeologists and scientists alike.
However, we may be finally onthe threshold ofsolving this mystery.
It was revealed duringChannel 4’s “Egypt’s Great Pyramid: The New Evidence” how archaeologists are starting tolearn more aboutthis ancient civilisation.
The 2019 documentary stated that: “Sourcing the 170,000 tonnes ofhigh-quality limestone toencase the pyramid was Khufu’s biggest challenge.”
According tothe documentary, they could only be mined fromfaraway quarries, ata place called Tora.
“Nobody has ever been completely sure how so much stone was brought toGiza tocomplete the build injust overa quarter ofa century.”
“But now new evidence is revealing that Khufu may have only managed this witha fleet ofspecially-built boats and highly-trained sailors.”
The series then made reference toa find made bya team ofarchaeologists back in1954.
In a pit nearthe base ofthe pyramid, an Egyptian team discovered a number ofcarefully disassembled wooden beams. At the time, the discovery did little toshed light onthe pyramid’s secrets.
However, modern advances intechnology have allowed scientists todetermine that the beams were the remains ofa dismantled boat.
The documentary added: “Today, atthe foot ofthe pyramid, a unique find is shining light onthis theory.”
“These pieces ofwood are actually a dismantled boat – a ceremonial ship that Khufu would command inthe afterlife.
The find offers researchers a unique insight intothe vessels that were inuse atthat period intime.
Eissa Zidan, who oversaw the project, believes this particular boat may have even belonged tothe great Pharaoh himself.
“According toour analysis, this is the result from2,600 BC”, he said. “This is the same period asKhufu’s pyramids, so we know this is the boat ofKing Khufu,”said Zidan, adding this is currently the number one archaeological project, not only inEgypt butin the world aswell.
In other recent finds, archaeologists have discovered exceptionally well-preserved statues and coffins made ofhigh-quality limestone ata newly discovered cemetery nearthe pyramids atGiza. According toscholars, one ofthe oldest tombs dates back to2,500 BC.
According tothe inscriptions, the ancient tomb contains the mummified remains oftwo men— a priest and an official— who allegedly lived atthe time ofthe builders ofthe first pyramids.
Most historians believe the Great Pyramid ofGiza was constructed overa period ofmore than20 years, forthe Pharaoh Khufu, who was buried ina tomb inside.
Something that has always perplexed laymen and scientists alike is how an ancient civilisation dating toaround 2500 BC was even able totransport six million tonnes ofstone blocks tothe site and then assemble them toproduce such a grandiose structure.
Step bystep, layers ofmystery are laid bare bymodern research and exciting technology.
(SPUTNIK)
