Thermal scans reveal 'anomaly' in Egypt's Giza Pyramids

Nov 13, 2015 The Egyptian Ministry of Antiquities, Mamdouh al-Damaty, recently announced the preliminary results of the ScanPyramids project, indicating an anomaly in the Great pyramid of Khufu.

ScanPyramids, which is a collaborative effort between the Egyptian Ministry of Antiquities, Cairo University and the HIP institute, aims to map the millennia-old pyramids in Giza.

Using infrared thermography and non-invasive cosmic rays, the two-week research found three hot stones on the eastern side of the Khufu pyramid in Giza, one of the largest pyramids in Egypt.

The heat radiating from the stone indicated an anomaly, although experts say the reasons behind the thermal differences are yet unknown.

During a press conference, the Egyptian Antiquities Minister, along with experts working on the project, demonstrated the thermal differences in a live camera presentation.

Speaking at the conference, Minister al-Damaty said:

“I think this will be the start for new science, new research, for all the Egyptologists, especially the Egyptologists who are interested in the Ancient Egyptian architect,”

After adding that this was the first time the scanning technology was used on the Pyramids, he went on to say:

“I reach an area with higher temperature. What is behind it? We are near the Ganzy temple. What could be behind it? Here, I believe, is where questions will start, by all archaeologists and especially those concerned with Egyptian architecture,”

Hany Helal, Head of Mission for the Faculty of Engineering of Cairo revealed that the project will continue into 2016.

“We have identified some areas that we will use what we call long term recording, it means that, for example for this point we will install a camera that will have a record of every day and night for one year,”

Clemente Ibarra, a researcher at the University of Laval said:

“If you have the same material in a structure, you are expected to have the same orientation more or less. You’re expected to have the same thermal signature. So the fact that you have an important difference of temperature between just one block and the other right next to it, it has to mean something, because it’s not normal. Normally… that’s why we are calling it an anomaly because it is not normal what we are seeing,”