Latest news with #GreatPyramid
Daily Mail
03-07-2025
- Science
- Daily Mail
Lost inscriptions inside Egypt's Great Pyramid shatter the myth of slave labor
Archaeologists have uncovered ancient inscriptions inside Egypt 's Great Pyramid that they say confirm who built the monument 4,500 years ago. Ancient Greeks shared stories that the stunning monument was built by 100,000 slaves who worked in three-month shifts over 20 years. But new discoveries inside the Great Pyramid have changed the narrative, showing it was constructed by paid, skilled laborers who worked continuously, taking one day off every 10 days. Egyptologist Dr Zahi Hawass and his team recently explored a series of narrow chambers above the King's Chamber using imaging technology, finding never-before-seen markings left by work gangs from the 13th-century BC. They also unearthed tombs south of the pyramid, the eternal resting places of skilled laborers, complete with statues of workers muscling stones and 21 hieroglyphic titles like 'overseer of the side of the pyramid' and 'craftsman.' '[The discoveries] confirm that the builders were not slaves. If they had been, they would never have been buried in the shadow of the pyramids,' Dr Hawass said during an episode of the Matt Beall Limitless podcast. 'Slaves would not have prepared their tombs for eternity, like kings and queens did, inside these tombs.' The latest findings also shed light on how the pyramid was built, revealing that limestone from a quarry just 1,000 feet away was hauled to the site using a rubble-and-mud ramp, remnants of which were found southwest of the monument. Dr Hawass is now working on a new expedition, funded by Beall , which will send a robot into the Great Pyramid, marking the first excavation of the structure in modern history. The Great Pyramid of Giza is the largest Egyptian pyramid and was constructed by Pharaoh Khufu, who ruled during the Fourth Dynasty of the Old Kingdom. It is also one of three within the Giza plateau, the other two include the Pyramid of Khafre and the Pyramid of Menkaure, as well as the Great Sphinx. All shrouded in mystery due to their unclear construction methods, precise astronomical alignment and still-debated purpose. Inscriptions were previously found inside the Great Pyramid during the 19th century, sparking debate that the writings were forged hundreds of years after it was built. 'There was some debate on whether or not that could be a forgery, but now you're saying that you've discovered three more cartes within the King's Chamber,' Beall asked Dr Hawass. The archaeologist then showed images never shared with the public, highlighting the names drawn onto the rock. 'They were found in chambers that are difficult and dangerous to access, and they use writing styles that only trained Egyptologists can accurately interpret,' said Dr Hawass. 'It's nearly impossible that someone in recent times could have forged something like this. You must climb about 45 feet and crawl through tight spaces to even reach those chambers.' The archaeologist admitted that some European visitors managed to enter and left their names scratched into the stone in the late 18th and 19th centuries. 'But the inscriptions we found are clearly much older, original graffiti from ancient Egyptian workers,' Dr Hawass added. Alongside these inscriptions, the second major discovery was the tombs of the pyramid builders. Dr Hawass and his team found tools inside the tombs, such as flint tools and pounding stones that would have been used in the Great Pyramid's construction. 'The base of the Great Pyramid is made from solid bedrock, carved 28 feet deep into the ground,' he said. 'This means that after marking the square base, the builders cut down into all four sides of the rock until they created a level platform of solid stone, no blocks, just bedrock. 'You can still see this today on the south side of Khufu's pyramid.' He continued to explain that the workers operated in teams, some cut the stones, others shaped them and the rest transported the material using wooden sleds pulled over the sand.' He added that the rocks were then moved using ramps, which the archaeologist said he found evidence of. 'The ramp had to come from the southwest corner of the pyramid and connect to the quarry,' said Dr Hawass. 'We excavated this area, and in the site labeled C2, we found remnants of the ramp, stone rubble mixed with sand and mud. When the ramp was dismantled, they didn't remove every trace, and what was left behind is what we uncovered.' Dr Hawass' colleague, Mark Lehner, has been excavating a site just east of the pyramid, uncovering what they are calling 'the worker's city.' The team has uncovered facilities used for sorting salted fish, a large bakery for bread, barracks and the settlement where the laborers lived. 'There's a popular myth that the workers ate only garlic, onions, and bread, but we found thousands of animal bones at the site,' Dr Hawass said. 'An expert from the University of Chicago analyzed them and found that the Egyptians slaughtered 11 cows and 33 goats every day to feed the laborers. 'This diet was enough to support around 10,000 workers per day.' The conversation switched to the upcoming exploration of the Big Void, which Dr Hawass is leading. ' I am funding the exploration of the Big Void ,' Beall said, adding that he is helping the team build the robot for the mission. The podcaster explained that they were working on a robot, no larger than a centimeter, which will travel through a tiny hole drilled into the side of the Great Pyramid. The Big Void, discovered in 2017, stretches for at least 100 feet above the Grand Gallery, an ascending corridor that links the Queen's chamber to the King's in the heart of the pyramid. Dr Hawass believes he will locate the lost tomb of Khufu inside the void. 'I think it's unlikely that it's a tomb, just because there's never been a tomb,' Beall said. 'There's never been a Pharaoh discovered in any of these in any of the main pyramids ever.' The excavation is slated for around January or February next year.
The Sun
03-07-2025
- General
- The Sun
Who REALLY built Egypt's Great Pyramid is ‘revealed' in hidden inscriptions dating back 4,500 years
ARCHAEOLOGISTS have unearthed hidden inscriptions inside Egypt's Great Pyramid which could reveal who built the iconic structure. The groundbreaking discovery could hold the key for who is responsible for the monument's construction nearly five thousand years ago. 2 2 According to the Ancient Greeks, 100,000 slaves who worked in three-month shifts over 20 years produced the Great Pyramid of Giza. However, fresh discoveries suggest that paid laborers who took three days off a month are responsible. Egyptologist Dr Zahi Hawass and his team recently explored a series of narrow chambers above the King's Chamber using imaging technology, finding never-before-seen markings left by work gangs from the 13th-century BC. They subsequently stumbled upon tombs of the laborers which included statues of the workers during the pyramid's construction. "[The discoveries] confirm that the builders were not slaves. If they had been, they would never have been buried in the shadow of the pyramids," Hawass said during an episode of the Matt Beall Limitless podcast. "Slaves would not have prepared their tombs for eternity, like kings and queens did, inside these tombs." The Great Pyramid of Giza, is the oldest and largest of the three pyramids in Giza, Egypt. River Nile close to Cairo. It was built as a tomb for the Fourth Dynasty pharaoh Khufu, also known as Cheops, and his queen. Khufu is believed to have reigned during the 26th century BC from 2589BC to 2566BC. Astonishing moment a dog is spotted at the top of 455ft Great PYRAMID of Giza after climbing up to bark at birds Few details about the ruler are known, with all the information coming from inscriptions in his necropolis in Giza and later documents. He is thought to have had two wives, Meritites I and later Henutsen. Inside the pyramid are three chambers - the Queen's Chamber and the King's Chamber, connected by the Grand Gallery. The latest findings also shed light on how the pyramid was built, revealing that limestone from a quarry just 1,000 feet away was hauled to the site using a rubble-and-mud ramp, remnants of which were found southwest of the monument. Inscriptions were previously found inside the Great Pyramid during the 19th century, sparking debate that the writings were forged hundreds of years after it was built. "There was some debate on whether or not that could be a forgery, but now you're saying that you've discovered three more cartes within the King's Chamber,' Beall asked Dr Hawass. "They were found in chambers that are difficult and dangerous to access, and they use writing styles that only trained Egyptologists can accurately interpret,' said Dr Hawass. "It's nearly impossible that someone in recent times could have forged something like this. You must climb about 45 feet and crawl through tight spaces to even reach those chambers." Dr Hawass and his team also scooped a number of tools inside the tombs which were likely used to build the pyramid, including flint tools and pounding stones. He added: "The base of the Great Pyramid is made from solid bedrock, carved 28 feet deep into the ground. "This means that after marking the square base, the builders cut down into all four sides of the rock until they created a level platform of solid stone, no blocks, just bedrock. "You can still see this today on the south side of Khufu's pyramid." Pyramid building in Egypt reached its peak with the Fourth Dynasty of Pharaohs which saw constructions in both Giza and Dashur. Pyramids were not built in isolation but formed only one part of a pyramid complex. Other elements usually included a satellite pyramid, other small pyramids for queens, a mortuary temple, a valley temple, and a causeway between them. A brief history of Ancient Egypt Here's everything you need to know... The Ancient Egyptians were an advanced civilization who at one point owned a huge portion of the globe The civilization 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 Egyptian empire fell due to a mix of factors, including wars with other empires and a 100-year period of drought and starvation
Daily Mail
02-07-2025
- Science
- Daily Mail
Groundbreaking discovery in Egypt's Great Pyramid shatters view on how mysterious structure was built
Archaeologists have uncovered ancient inscriptions inside Egypt 's Great Pyramid that they say confirm who built the monument 4,500 years ago. Egyptologist Dr Zahi Hawass and his team recently explored a series of narrow chambers above the King's Chamber using imaging technology, finding never-before-seen markings left by work gangs from the 13th-century BC. They also unearthed tombs south of the pyramid, the eternal resting places of skilled laborers, complete with statues of workers muscling stones and 21 hieroglyphic titles like 'overseer of the side of the pyramid' and 'craftsman.' '[The discoveries] confirm that the builders were not slaves. If they had been, they would never have been buried in the shadow of the pyramids,' Dr Hawass said during an episode of the Matt Beall Limitless podcast. 'Slaves would not have prepared their tombs for eternity, like kings and queens did, inside these tombs.' The idea that slaves built the pyramids traces back to the ancient Greek historian Herodotus, who wrote in 440 BC that 100,000 slaves worked in three-month shifts over 20 years. shifts. The latest findings also shed light on how the pyramid was built, revealing that limestone from a quarry just 1,000 feet away was hauled to the site using a rubble-and-mud ramp, remnants of which were found southwest of the monument. Dr Hawass is now working on a new expedition, funded by Beall, which will send a robot into the Great Pyramid's 'Big Void', marking the first excavation of the structure in modern history. The Great Pyramid of Giza is the largest Egyptian pyramid and was constructed by Pharaoh Khufu, who ruled during the Fourth Dynasty of the Old Kingdom. It is also one of three within the Giza plateau, the other two include the Pyramid of Khafre and the Pyramid of Menkaure, as well as the Great Sphinx. All shrouded in mystery due to their unclear construction methods, precise astronomical alignment and still-debated purpose. Inscriptions were previously found inside the Great Pyramid during the 19th century, sparking debate that the writings were forged hundreds of years after it was built. 'There was some debate on whether or not that could be a forgery, but now you're saying that you've discovered three more cartes within the King's Chamber,' Beall asked Dr Hawass. The archaeologist then showed images never shared with the public, showing the names. 'They were found in chambers that are difficult and dangerous to access, and they use writing styles that only trained Egyptologists can accurately interpret,' said Dr Hawass. 'It's nearly impossible that someone in recent times could have forged something like this. You must climb about 45 feet and crawl through tight spaces to even reach those chambers.' The archaeologist admitted that some European visitors managed to enter and left their names scratched into the stone in the late 18th and 19th centuries. 'But the inscriptions we found are clearly much older, original graffiti from ancient Egyptian workers,' Dr Hawass added. Alongside these inscriptions, the second major discovery was the tombs of the pyramid builders. Dr Hawass and his team found tools inside the tombs, such as flint tools and pounding stones that would have been used in the Great Pyramid's construction. 'The base of the Great Pyramid is made from solid bedrock, carved 28 feet deep into the ground,' he said. 'This means that after marking the square base, the builders cut down into all four sides of the rock until they created a level platform of solid stone, no blocks, just bedrock. You can still see this today on the south side of Khufu's pyramid.' He continued to explain that the workers operated in teams, some cut the stones, others shaped them and the rest transported the material using wooden sleds pulled over the sand.' He added that the rocks were then moved using ramps, which the archaeologist said he found evidence of. 'The ramp had to come from the southwest corner of the pyramid and connect to the quarry,' said Dr Hawass, 'We excavated this area, and in the site labeled C2, we found remnants of the ramp, stone rubble mixed with sand and mud. When the ramp was dismantled, they didn't remove every trace, and what was left behind is what we uncovered.' The conversation switched to the upcoming exploration of the Big Void, which Dr Hawass is leading. ' I am funding the exploration of the Big Void,' Beall said, adding that he is helping the team build the robot for the mission. The podcaster explained that they were working on a robot, no larger than a centimeter, which will travel through a tiny hole drilled into the side of the Great Pyramid. The Big Void, discovered in 2017, stretches for at least 100 feet above the Grand Gallery, an ascending corridor that links the Queen's chamber to the King's in the heart of the pyramid. Dr Hawass believes he will locate the lost tomb of Khufu inside the void. 'I think it's unlikely that it's a tomb, just because there's never been a tomb,' Beall said. 'There's never been a Pharaoh discovered in any of these in any of the main pyramids ever.' The excavation is slated for around January or February next year.
Straits Times
02-07-2025
- Science
- Straits Times
Ancient Egyptian man's genome reveals his society's cross-cultural ties
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox DNA obtained from the remains of a man who lived in ancient Egypt around the time the first pyramids were built is providing evidence of the ties between two great cultures of the period, with a fifth of his genetic ancestry traced to Mesopotamia. Although based on a single genome, the findings offer unique insight into the genetic history of ancient Egyptians - a difficult task considering that Egypt's hot climate is not conducive to DNA preservation. The researchers extracted DNA from the roots of two teeth, part of the man's skeletal remains that had been interred for millennia inside a large sealed ceramic vessel within a rock-cut tomb. They then managed to sequence his whole genome, a first for any person who lived in ancient Egypt. The man lived roughly 4,500-4,800 years ago, the researchers said, around the beginning of a period of prosperity and stability called the Old Kingdom, known for the construction of immense pyramids as monumental pharaonic tombs. The ceramic vessel was excavated in 1902 at a site called Nuwayrat near the village of Beni Hassan, approximately 170 miles (270 km) south of Cairo. The researchers said the man was about 60 years old when he died, and that aspects of his skeletal remains hinted at the possibility that he had worked as a potter. The DNA showed that the man descended mostly from local populations, with about 80% of his ancestry traced to Egypt or adjacent parts of North Africa. But about 20% of his ancestry was traced to a region of the ancient Near East called the Fertile Crescent that included Mesopotamia. "This suggests substantial genetic connections between ancient Egypt and the eastern Fertile Crescent," said population geneticist Adeline Morez Jacobs of Liverpool John Moores University in England and the Francis Crick Institute in London, lead author of the study published on Wednesday in the journal Nature. The findings build on the archaeological evidence of trade and cultural exchanges between ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia, a region spanning modern-day Iraq and parts of Iran and Syria. During the third millennium BC, Egypt and Mesopotamia were at the vanguard of human civilization, with achievements in writing, architecture, art, religion and technology. Egypt showed cultural connections with Mesopotamia, based on some shared artistic motifs, architecture and imports like lapis lazuli, the blue semiprecious stone, the researchers said. The pottery wheel from Mesopotamia first appeared in Egypt at about the time the man lived, a period when the earliest pyramids began to spring up near modern-day Cairo, starting with the Step Pyramid of the pharaoh Djoser at Saqqara and later the Great Pyramid of the pharaoh Khufu at Giza. About 90% of the man's skeleton was preserved. He stood about 5-foot-3 (1.59 meters) tall, with a slender build. He also had conditions consistent with older age such as osteoporosis and osteoarthritis, as well as a large unhealed abscess from tooth infection. "Ancient DNA recovery from Egyptian remains has been exceptionally challenging due to Egypt's hot climate that accelerates DNA degradation, with high temperatures breaking down genetic material over time compared to cooler, more stable environments," Francis Crick Institute population geneticist and study co-author Pontus Skoglund said. "In this case, the individual's burial in a ceramic pot vessel within a rock-cut tomb likely contributed to the unusual DNA preservation for the region," Skoglund added. The fact that his burial occurred before mummification became standard practice in Egypt may have helped avoid DNA degradation because his remains were spared elaborate preservation techniques. Scientists have struggled to recover ancient Egyptian genomes, according to paleogeneticist and study co-author Linus Girdland Flink of the University of Aberdeen in Scotland. One previous effort yielded partial genome sequencing of three individuals who lived some 1,500 years after the Nuwayrat man. Given the track record, the researchers were surprised with their success in sequencing the man's genome. "Yeah, it was a long shot," Skoglund said. The man may have worked as a potter or in a trade with similar movements because his bones had muscle markings from sitting for long periods with outstretched limbs. "All indicators are consistent with movements and positions of a potter, as indicated in ancient Egyptian imagery," said bioarcheologist and study co-author Joel Irish. "He would have been of high status to have been buried in a rock-cut tomb. This conflicts with his hard physical life and conjecture that he was a potter, which would ordinarily have been working class. Perhaps he was an excellent potter." REUTERS
Time of India
26-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
jeff bezos superyacht: Inside Bezos-Sánchez wedding: Billionaire romance anchored by $500M Superyacht Koru
Largest Sailing Yacht in the World The Meaning Behind 'Koru' ADVERTISEMENT Artistry and Design Proposal Aboard the Koru Wedding of the Season in Venice ADVERTISEMENT FAQs What is the occasion involving Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez? ADVERTISEMENT When is the wedding scheduled to take place? As billionaire entrepreneur and Amazon founder Jeff Bezos readies to tie the knot with fiancée Lauren Sánchez in a star-studded ceremony in Venice, attention has once again turned to one of the world's most extravagant personal vessels—the superyacht in Italy aboard the grand sailing yacht, Bezos was seen alongside Sánchez at the historic Aman Hotel, heightening anticipation for what is being described as one of the most glamorous weddings of the year, as mentioned in a report by USA built by Dutch shipyard Oceanco, holds the distinction of being the largest sailing yacht globally, measuring an estimated 417 feet in length. The three-masted schooner is painted in a signature midnight blue, featuring three jacuzzis, an expansive pool on the upper deck, and multiple viewing masts, towering at around 230 feet, are comparable in height to the Great Pyramid of Giza. Originally mired in controversy due to plans to dismantle a historic Rotterdam bridge to facilitate its transfer, the vessel was ultimately delivered to Mallorca in 2023 after its masts were transported separately to avoid public yacht's name, Koru, derives from the Māori word symbolizing a spiral, referencing new beginnings, renewal, and personal growth. Bezos, 61, reportedly selected the name to reflect a fresh chapter in life, now marked by his relationship with Sánchez, a 55-year-old former TV journalist.A support vessel accompanies Koru, aptly named Abeona, after the Roman goddess associated with departures and safe yacht's design is a product of Dykstra Naval Architecture, while the interior has been curated by Mlinaric Henry & Zervudachi. The décor blends natural wood tones with warm neutral palettes and bespoke textiles, lending a sense of timeless elegance, Oceanco was speculation about the yacht's figurehead resembling Sánchez. However, she clarified in a 2023 Vogue interview that it actually depicts Freyja, the Norse goddess of love and war—one of Bezos's favorite mythological proposed to Sánchez on board Koru during a romantic voyage at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival, where he hid a pink diamond engagement ring under her pillow. The intimate moment, as described by Sánchez, left her momentarily the couple remains discreet about the exact date, reports indicate the three-day wedding celebration will take place between June 26 and 28, attended by nearly 200 guests. High-profile figures such as Oprah Winfrey, Diane von Furstenberg, Salma Hayek, Mick Jagger, Ivanka Trump, and Kim Kardashian are expected to join the Bezos-Sánchez nuptials follow a trend of elite weddings in Venice, joining the likes of George and Amal Clooney and Salma Hayek and François-Henri Bezos, Amazon founder and billionaire entrepreneur, is preparing to marry his fiancée Lauren Sánchez, in a star-studded, three-day wedding ceremony in Venice, the exact date has not been officially confirmed, reports suggest the wedding celebrations will span from June 26 to June 28, 2025.
