New subsurface structure detected near Great Pyramid at Giza

Using advanced geophysical techniques, including ground-penetrating radar (GPR) and electrical resistivity tomography (ERT), researchers have identified a man-made L-shaped structure just two metres (approximately 6.5 feet) below the surface near the Western Cemetery — a historically significant area known for the tombs of ancient Egyptian nobility.

Published in the journal Archaeological Prospection, the study details how the team, led by Professor Motoyuki Sato of Japan’s Tohoku University, detected a large, electrically resistive anomaly beneath the L-shaped structure, located at a depth of around 5 to 10 metres (16 to 33 feet). The anomaly’s high resistivity suggests it may be composed of different material than the surrounding ground — or potentially, a void, such as a hidden chamber.

The Western Cemetery, situated to the west of the Great Pyramid of Khufu, has been a key site for exploring the lives and burials of Egypt’s elite during the Fourth Dynasty. But despite extensive archaeological work on the Giza Plateau over the past two centuries, this area remains relatively under-explored compared to the pyramids themselves.

“The sharp, defined angles of this formation suggest that it is man-made, as natural formations typically exhibit more irregular shapes,” the researchers noted, indicating a strong likelihood of human construction. While the L-shaped feature does not resemble known architectural forms from the Giza complex, the team speculates it could represent an entrance or boundary to a deeper chamber or passage.

Ground-penetrating radar and electrical resistivity tomography have become invaluable tools for non-invasive archaeological exploration. GPR works by emitting radar pulses into the ground and recording their reflections to reveal buried structures, while ERT measures variations in electrical conductivity to identify underground materials or voids. When used together, these technologies provide a detailed 3D picture of subsurface features — without disturbing the fragile layers of archaeological history.

Although the findings are still preliminary, the team’s discovery has reignited speculation about what other secrets the sands of Giza might conceal. The anomaly’s proximity to known tombs raises the possibility that more elaborate or previously undocumented burial complexes remain hidden below.

Further investigation, potentially including limited excavation or additional remote sensing, will be needed to determine the exact nature and purpose of the anomaly. Still, the results serve as a powerful reminder that even at one of the world’s most explored archaeological sites, the past has yet to fully reveal itself.

By Vugar Khalilov