
Archaeologists discover second ‘hidden city' underneath Egypt's Pyramids with new chambers 2,000ft below the surface
ARCHAEOLOGISTS have claimed to have discovered a second hidden city sat deep beneath Egypt's famous pyramids of Giza.
The potentially seismic revelation could even help to prove the existence of a whopping complex of chambers buried 2,000ft underground.
3
Back in March, a clever team of Italian and Scottish archaeologists sensationally claimed that "an entire hidden world of many structures" is hidden beneath the pyramids.
This was described as a secret city at the time.
They used radar technology to see a complex network sat more than a kilometre below the ground of the Khafre pyramid.
It is said to include huge vertical columns with spiral stairs, a water system and connecting corridors which all formed a city.
But now, the same team has uncovered a similar phenomenon under a second pyramid in Giza.
Just months after the Khafre discovery, they claim to have found another city beneath the Pyramid of Menkaure - the smallest of the three main pyramids at Giza.
The newly-discovered shafts and pillars would blow apart the accepted wisdom about the origins of the pyramids, if ever proven.
Filippo Biondi, a radar expert from University of Strathclyde and co-author of the research, told the Daily Mail their data shows a 90 per cent probability the Menkaure and the Khafre share the same pillars.
The team used "objective analysis of the tomography data" to help uncover the mystery structures beneath the pyramids.
Biondi said: "We firmly believe that the Giza structures are interconnected, reinforcing our view that the pyramids are merely the tip of the iceberg of a colossal underground infrastructural complex.
Revealing the Hidden Secrets of Egyptian Pyramid Construction (1)
"This network likely consists of a dense system of tunnels linking the main subterranean structures.
"Discoveries like these under Menkaure challenge us to rethink our understanding of ancient Egyptian history and humanity's past, opening new perspectives on our origins and capabilities."
In an even bolder claim, they theorised the Giza complex of pyramids, widely thought the be around 4,500 years old, was actually built 38,000 years ago.
The shafts and chambers they identified below ground are said to be a similar age.
Another major suggestion is that the people who built the pyramids may have been wiped out by a "divine flood" triggered by an asteroid pact.
According to the theory, the pyramids were the only "megastructure" to survive the extinction event.
Many fellow researchers remain sceptical about the existence of a hidden network underneath the great pyramids.
Some have even outright blasted the archaeologists for their proposals.
Dr Zahi Hawass, Egypt's former Minister of Antiquities, labelled the findings "completely wrong" and not rooted in science.
He added: "The claim of using radar inside the pyramid is false, and the techniques employed are neither scientifically approved nor validated."
The extraordinary new study is also yet to be peer-reviewed.
A brief history of Ancient Egypt
Here's everything you need to know...
The Ancient Egyptians were an advanced civilisation who at one point owned a huge portion of the globe
The civilisation began about 5,000 years ago when ancient humans began building villages along the River Nile
It lasted for about 3,000 years and saw the building of complex cities centuries ahead of their time – as well as the famous Great Pyramids
The Ancient Egyptians were experts at farming and construction
They invented a solar calendar, and one of the world's earliest writing systems: The hieroglyph
The Egyptians were ruled by kings and queens called pharaohs
Religion and the afterlife were a huge part of Ancient Egyptian culture. They had over 2,000 gods
Pharaohs built huge elaborate tombs to be buried in, some of which were pyramids – at the time among the largest buildings in the world
The Egyptians believed in life after death, and important people's corpses were mummified to preserve their bodies for the afterlife
The Ancient Egytpian empire fell due to a mix of factors, including wars with other empires and a 100-year period of drought and starvation
3
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


BBC News
13 hours ago
- BBC News
Manchester: Researchers help uncover ancient Egyptian city
An ancient Egyptian city has been uncovered by a team of British and Egyptian archaeologists. Archaeologists from the University of Manchester worked alongside a team from the University of Sadat City in Cairo to excavate the ancient city of Imet in the eastern Nile team combined remote sensing using high-resolution satellite imagery with on-the-ground archaeology, unearthing artefacts including a cooking pot complete with the remains of a 4th century BC fish lead Dr Nicky Nielsen said: "Imet is emerging as a key site for rethinking the archaeology of Late Period Egypt." Gives you 'a jolt' "This discovery opens new doors to our understanding of daily life, spirituality and urban planning in the Delta," he Nielsen said the cooking pot they found contained tilapia bones and it was found still in place on a to it were platters where bread would have been leavened in the sun, he Nielsen said: "When you take it out of the ground and you are the first person to touch it in 2,500 years then it does give you a bit of a jolt."He said archaeologists first excavated the area in the 1800s but they had focused on the nearby temple site and cemetery rather than the Nielsen and his team also uncovered multi-storey homes, along with granaries and a ceremonial road linked to the worship of the cobra goddess Wadjet. Among the other artefacts uncovered during excavations at Tell el-Fara'in, also known as Tell Nabasha, was a shabti figurine made out of green faience ceramic, which would have been intended for a figurine dates from the 26th Dynasty, which was the late Egyptian period around 2,300 years ago. Shabti figurines were inscribed with a spell and put in the tombs of high ranking officials in the belief that they would be servants for the deceased during the afterlife, when they believed they would be expected to do agricultural work."They were a way of getting out of labour in the afterlife," said Dr artefacts excavated included a small amuletic tomb marker known as a steal, which depicts the god Harpocrates standing on top of two crocodiles with the head of the god Bes above amulet was intended to protect against also unearthed a bronze sistrum, which is a kind of metal rattle used in was adorned with the twin heads of Hathor, goddess of music and Nielsen said they reflected a vibrant spiritual culture. Dr Nielsen said that by combining remote sensing with on-the-ground archaeology, the team had begun to transform understanding of the urban, religious and economic life of this city in the Nile Delta during the 4th Century team used high-resolution satellite imagery to identify clusters of ancient mud bricks prior to excavation. This led to the discovery of dense architectural remains, including substantial tower houses, which were multi-storey buildings supported by exceptionally thick foundation walls."These tower houses are mainly found in the Nile Delta between the Late Period and the Roman era, and are rare elsewhere in Egypt," said Dr. Nielsen. "Their presence here shows that Imet was a thriving and densely-built city with a complex urban infrastructure."Additional discoveries include a paved area for grain processing and animal enclosures, pointing to an active local economy alongside its religious significance. Dr Nielsen said that elsewhere, excavators found a large building with a limestone plaster floor and "massive pillars" dating to the mid-Ptolemaic Period offering insights into shifting religious landscapes in ancient Egypt.A University of Manchester spokesperson said their involvement in the project continued to shape global narratives of Egypt's forgotten cities, "bringing the ancient Delta back into view one discovery at a time".The excavation team also comprised Dr Diana Nikolova from the University of Liverpool among other researchers from around the world. Listen to the best of BBC Radio Manchester on Sounds and follow BBC Manchester on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.


Daily Mail
20 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Lost temple found in mountains reveals secrets of civilization that vanished 1,000 years ago
A vast stone temple built 1,000 years ago by one of South America's most powerful civilizations has been uncovered in the Andes. Archaeologists discovered the temple, known as Palaspata, atop a ridge in the remote highlands southeast of Lake Titicaca, near the small community of Ocotavi in western Bolivia. The large structure was the craftsmanship of the Tiwanaku civilization, which left a mark on the world with impressive stone structures, advanced irrigation systems, and unique art and pottery before vanishing around 1000AD. Covering an area roughly the size of a city block, the site measures approximately 410 feet long by 476 feet wide. It features 15 rectangular enclosures arranged around a central courtyard, which appears to align with the solar equinox, a time when the sun rises directly over the equator and is often marked by key ritual dates in ancient cultures. The team believes more than 20,000 people may have lived here, as some buildings were constructed with stones weighing over 100 tons, showing highly organized labor and planning. 'This was not just a temple, it was a strategic hub, an entry point between the highlands and lowland trade routes,' said Dr José Capriles, lead archaeologist from Pennsylvania State University and co-author of the study. 'This was a place where people, goods, and gods all crossed paths.'. The newly discovered complex is located about 130 miles south of Tiwanaku's established historical site, on top of a hill known to local Indigenous farmers but was never explored in depth by researchers due to its unassuming location. Carbon dating revealed the site was most active between AD 630 and 950, during the period when the Tiwanaku civilization expanded its influence into the eastern valleys. 'Their society collapsed sometime around 1000 CE and was a ruin by the time the Incas conquered the Andes in the 15th century,' Dr Capriles said. 'It boasted a highly organized societal structure, leaving behind remnants of architectural monuments like pyramids, terraced temples and monoliths, most of which are distributed in sites around Lake Titicaca.' The ancient temple once featured tall, red sandstone and white quartzite stones that marked its perimeter. Though much of the original structure has collapsed, its rectangular design and astronomical alignment are still visible as its pieces still litter the ground. The central courtyard may have once held a sunken ceremonial plaza, a hallmark of Tiwanaku temples. The temple's surface was scattered with fragments of keru cups, used for drinking chicha, a traditional maize beer, during agricultural feasts and celebrations, indicating its role as a key trade hub, according to Capriles. Since maize was not grown locally but in the Cochabamba valleys, unlike the high-altitude temple site, this highlights the temple's significance in enabling access to diverse goods, including food, and linking different culinary traditions, he added. 'The archaeological findings at Palaspata are significant because they highlight a crucial aspect of our local heritage that had been completely overlooked,' said Justo Ventura Guarayo, mayor of the municipality of Caracollo, where the site is located. 'This discovery is vital for our community.' Views of the Palaspata temple: A) an aerial mosaic created from recent drone images, and B) a filtered image showing color differences, overlaid with a grid to outline the temple's structure. The Palaspata complex had remained undetected by archaeologists until recently, when they spotted unusual geometric shapes in satellite photos. Researchers then used an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), commonly known as a drone, and 3D imaging techniques to confirm the presence of a man-made structure. 'Because the features are very faint, we blended various satellite images,' said Dr Capriles. Nearby, at a smaller archaeological site called Ocotavi 1, researchers uncovered homes, tools, animal bones and human burials with skull shaping a sign of high status in Andean culture. Nearby, at a smaller archaeological site called Ocotavi 1, researchers uncovered homes, tools, animal bones and human burials with skull shaping, a sign of high status in Andean culture.


The Sun
a day ago
- The Sun
Lost 2,400-year-old city uncovered by archaeologists with multi-storey buildings and temple dedicated to cobra goddess
A ONCE bustling city with multi-storey tower houses and a cobra goddess temple built 2,400 years ago has been discovered by archaeologists. The densely built city dates back to the 4th century BCE - and even used to have a thriving local economy and religious traditions, researchers said. 5 5 5 Buried under modern day Tell el-Fara'in, Egypt, state-of-the-art technology has been used to uncover the ancient city of Imet. Boffins from the University of Manchester and the University of Sadat City in Cairo made the groundbreaking discovery in the African nation's Nile Delta. A team of archaeologists led by Dr. Nicky Nielsen excavated an array of extraordinary artefacts - which point to the location's booming economy and religious practice. The team said: "The University of Manchester is bringing the ancient Delta back one discovery at a time." They said locating the forgotten city of Imet allowed them to have a greater understanding of "daily life, spirituality, and urban planning in the Delta". The incredible city dates back to the Late Period in Egypt - the final era of Egyptian rule which was killed off by Alexander the Great's conquest. Archaeologists used remote sensing including high-resolution satellite imagery. They first detected ancient mudbricks, which led them to discover 'dense architectural remains'. These included multi-storey buildings with "exceptionally thick foundation walls". The team dubbed these "tower houses". The 4th-century Egyptians are understood to have built them to accommodate their soaring population. Imet, as well as the Delta region, became an urban center, the scientists said following their breakthrough finding. Leading researcher Dr Nielsen said: "These tower houses are mainly found in the Nile Delta between the Late Period and the Roman era, and are rare elsewhere in Egypt. "Their presence here shows that Imet was a thriving and densely built city with a complex urban infrastructure." In another shocking revelation, the scientists also discovered a large building dating to the mid-Ptolemaic Period - even older than the Late Period. This fascinating find meant that the city may have had even more ancient roots. The building, which is understood to be older than the rest of the city, had a limestone plaster floor and massive pilars. It was also built across a processional road that connected it to a temple dedicated to the city's patron deity, Wadjet, the cobra goddess. But it was abandoned around the mid-Ptolemaic era, sparking theories that religious beliefs may have changed at the time, the experts said. Archaeologists also uncovered a grain-processing area and animal pens - proof that Imet had a developed local economy and religious traditions. And they found artefacts which supported the idea that the Delta centre was once a thriving Ancient Egyptian community. Their most prized discoveries included a green faience ushabti from the 26 th Dynasty, a stela of the god Harpocrates with protective iconography, and a bronze sistrum adorned with the twin heads of Hathor, goddess of music and joy. These finds have helped experts piece together one of Ancient Egypt's long-lost cities - shining new light on the empire's final days. 5