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Scans Detect Two Small Voids Behind Menkaure Pyramid’s East Facade

Non-invasive imaging behind a polished granite zone reveals likely air spaces that now require follow-up with deeper-sensing methods.

Overview

  • Researchers from the University of Cairo and the Technical University of Munich reported the results in NDT&E International as part of the ScanPyramids project.
  • The larger anomaly begins about 1.35–1.4 meters beneath the surface and measures roughly 1.5 by 1.0 meters, while a second void of about 0.9 by 0.7 meters starts near 1.13 meters.
  • The team used electrical resistance tomography, ground-penetrating radar and ultrasound to map the features without disturbing the monument.
  • Current methods probe only a few meters into the stone, leaving the extent and connectivity of the voids unresolved, with additional surveys planned using infrared thermography, microgravimetry and muon tomography.
  • The voids lie directly behind a long-noted polished granite patch on the east side, supporting a long-standing hypothesis of a hidden access point that remains unconfirmed pending further analysis and Egyptological review.