In March 2025, researchers Corrado Malanga and Filippo Biondi announced the discovery of a significant underground network beneath the Giza Pyramids.
They used Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) tomography to find this underground network. This non-invasive technique revealed five identical multi-level structures with sloped roofs, connected by geometric passageways, eight vertical cylindrical wells descending 648 meters with spiral pathways, and two massive cube-shaped chambers, each 80 meters on each side.
This complex extends approximately two kilometers, linking all three major pyramids.
The findings, detailed in a scientific paper and press release on March 15, 2025, have sparked interest in the pyramids’ potential purposes beyond burial, with theories suggesting they might have served as ancient energy hubs. However, Egypt’s government remains cautious about physical excavation, leaving these structures unexcavated for now.
Implications and Further Research
These discoveries could reshape our understanding of ancient Egyptian civilization, suggesting advanced engineering capabilities and possibly alternative uses like energy generation or ritual spaces.
Further research is likely to involve advanced imaging techniques to gather more data, given the site’s historical significance. This could lead to a reevaluation of the pyramids’ role in society and their technological sophistication, potentially impacting our view of human history.
Survey Note: Detailed Analysis of New Findings Under the Giza Pyramids from March 2025
The recent discoveries beneath the Giza Pyramids, announced in mid-March 2025, represent a pivotal moment in archaeological research, offering new insights into one of humanity’s most iconic ancient structures. This survey note provides a comprehensive examination of the findings, their discovery methods, potential implications, and future research directions, aiming to address the complexities and uncertainties surrounding these revelations.
Background and Context
The Giza Pyramids, comprising the Great Pyramid of Khufu, the Pyramid of Khafre, and the Pyramid of Menkaure, have long been regarded as monumental tombs constructed during the Fourth Dynasty (circa 2580-2560 BCE).
Traditionally, these structures are believed to house the remains and treasures of pharaohs, reflecting their power and the society’s organizational capabilities. However, recent findings challenge this narrative, suggesting a more multifaceted purpose.
Discovery Details
On March 15, 2025, researchers Corrado Malanga from the University of Pisa and Filippo Biondi from the University of Strathclyde published their findings in the journal arXiv, following a press release that garnered significant attention.
The discovery was made possible through Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) tomography, a non-invasive imaging technique that converts radar signals into sound-like vibrations for subsurface analysis. This method, developed by Biondi, allowed for the detection of structures deep beneath the surface without disturbing the site.
The findings include:
- Five Identical Multi-Level Structures: Located near the base of the Khafre Pyramid, these structures each have five levels with sloped roofs and are connected by geometric passageways, suggesting a deliberate and systematic design.
- Eight Vertical Cylindrical Wells: Each well is encircled by descending spiral pathways, extending to a depth of 648 meters below the surface, an unprecedented depth for known ancient Egyptian architecture.
- Two Massive Cube-Shaped Chambers: Positioned at the base of the wells, each chamber measures 80 meters on each side, with their purpose remaining a mystery but indicating significant importance.
This underground network stretches approximately two kilometers, connecting all three major pyramids, hinting at a unified design or purpose for the Giza complex. The discovery was detailed in various reports, including The Express Tribune and Marca, which highlighted the scale and complexity of the findings.
Methodological Insights
The use of SAR tomography marks a significant advancement in non-destructive archaeological surveys. This technique builds on previous efforts, such as the 2021-2023 Giza survey, which identified an L-shaped structure 6.5 feet deep and a possible chamber 10-33 feet down, as noted by Motoyuki Sato from Tohoku University.
Additionally, the 2023 Scan Pyramids project discovered a 30-foot corridor, further expanding our understanding of the pyramids’ internal structures (Scientific Paper).
The non-invasive nature of SAR tomography is crucial, given the cultural and historical sensitivity of the Giza site. However, the depth and complexity of the newly discovered structures pose challenges for verification, with Egypt’s government expressing caution about physical excavation, as reported by Sportskeeda.
Theories and Speculations
The discovery has reignited debates about the pyramids’ true purpose, with several theories gaining traction:
- Energy Generation and Transmission: Nikola Tesla hypothesized that the pyramids could collect Earth’s natural energy for electricity and wireless transmission.
- Energy Generation and Transmission: Christopher Dunn, in his book “The Giza Power Plant,” proposed that they converted mechanical vibrations into electrical energy. The cylindrical wells and cube-shaped chambers could align with these ideas, potentially acting as conduits or storage units for energy.
- Ritual and Ceremonial Spaces: The underground structures might have been used for religious rituals, reflecting ancient Egyptian beliefs about the afterlife or cosmic order, given their geometric precision and connectivity.
- Administrative or Storage Facilities: The scale and depth suggest they could have served as secure storage for valuable goods or administrative centers, challenging the tomb-centric view.
- Defensive Structures: In times of conflict, these networks could have provided refuge or strategic advantages, though this remains speculative.
These theories, while intriguing, are not yet supported by direct evidence, as the structures remain unexcavated. Online discussions, fueled by Her Campus, have also speculated about pre-flood civilizations or extraterrestrial involvement, though these lack scientific backing and should be approached with skepticism.
Related Findings and Context
While the survey note focuses on Giza, it’s worth noting related discoveries from March 2025, such as skeletons found around the Tombos Pyramids in Sudan, dating to 3000 BCE and predating the Giza structures.
Studied by Dr. Sarah Field and Sara Schrader from the University of Leiden, these skeletons suggest hard laborers, not royalty, challenging assumptions about pyramid builders (Marca). Although not directly under Giza, these findings provide a broader context for understanding labor and social structures in ancient Egypt.
Implications for History
The discovery has profound implications for our understanding of ancient Egyptian civilization and human history:
- Technological Advancements: The engineering required for such extensive underground networks suggests a level of sophistication that may have been underestimated, potentially rewriting our view of ancient Egyptian technology.
- Social and Economic Insights: The scale implies significant labor and resources, offering insights into social organization and economic systems, possibly paralleling findings at Tombos.
- Cultural and Religious Significance: The pyramids’ role in mythology and religion could be deepened, with these structures indicating a more complex ceremonial or administrative function.
- Global Historical Context: If pyramids served beyond tombs, it might necessitate a broader rethinking of ancient civilizations’ monumental architecture, impacting interpretations of structures worldwide.
Future Research Directions
Given the site’s sensitivity, further research is likely to rely on non-invasive techniques such as ground-penetrating radar, muon tomography, and additional SAR scans. These methods could provide more detailed data on the structures’ composition, age, and potential artifacts.
Physical excavation, if approved, would require careful planning and international cooperation, given the risks of damaging the site. The Khafre Project has expressed interest, but Egypt’s government’s caution suggests a slow and deliberate approach.
Multidisciplinary collaboration will be essential, involving archaeologists, engineers, geophysicists, and historians to piece together the puzzle.
Dating the structures and analyzing any accessible materials could provide clues about their use, though their depth poses significant challenges.
Summary of Key Findings
| Finding | Details | Depth | Method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Five Multi-Level Structures | Identical, 5 levels, sloped roofs, geometric passageways | Near base | SAR Tomography |
| Eight Cylindrical Wells | Encircled by spiral pathways, descending | 648m below surface | SAR Tomography |
| Two Cube-Shaped Chambers | Each 80m on each side, at base of wells | 648m below surface | SAR Tomography |
| L-Shaped Structure (2021-2023 Survey) | 6.5ft deep, possibly man-made | 6.5ft | Ground-Penetrating Radar |
| 30-Foot Corridor (2023) | Discovered under pyramids, contributing to knowledge of construction | Not specified | Scan Pyramids Project |
Conclusion
The March 2025 discoveries beneath the Giza Pyramids open new avenues for exploration. They challenge longstanding assumptions about these ancient wonders.
While the true purpose of the underground complex remains uncertain, the findings suggest advanced engineering and potentially alternative uses, such as energy generation or ritual spaces.
As research continues, we may uncover secrets that have been buried for millennia. This will enrich our understanding of ancient Egypt and human history.
