Tag Archives: pyramid

How the Great Pyramid of Giza’s Design Naturally Protects It from Earthquakes, According to Archaeologists

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The Pyramid of Khufu has stood majestically on the Giza Plateau for over 4,500 years, enduring countless earthquakes with minimal structural damage. A recent study from Egypt’s National Institute of Astronomy and Geophysics uncovers a quantitative explanation for this astonishing durability. The research reveals a significant discrepancy between the natural vibration frequency of the pyramid and that of the surrounding ground. This difference may have protected the monument from destructive resonance during seismic events.

Pyramid of Khufu. Image credit: Douwe C. van der Zee / CC BY-SA 4.0.

The Great Pyramid, commonly referred to as the Pyramid of Khufu, was commissioned by Pharaoh Khufu (also known as Cheops) over approximately 26 years around 2600 BC. It holds the title of the oldest among the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

Originally towering at about 147 meters, it was the tallest man-made structure for more than 3,800 years until surpassed by Lincoln Cathedral in England in 1311 AD.

Today, its height stands at approximately 137 meters, reflecting the loss of its original smooth limestone casing over the centuries.

Since its completion, the Pyramid of Khufu has withstood numerous earthquakes, including significant events with estimated magnitudes of 6.8 in 1847 and 5.8 in 1992, without suffering major damage.

However, evidence supporting theories on its structural resilience remains scarce.

According to lead author Dr. Asem Salama and fellow researchers from Egypt and Japan, “The Pyramid of Khufu is the oldest pyramid constructed during the Old Kingdom on the northwestern Giza Plateau in Cairo.”

“Originally, the pyramid reached a height of 146.59 meters, with a base length of approximately 230.33 meters on each side and an inclination angle of 51 degrees.”

“Current measurements reflect a height of about 137 meters, indicating the loss of its outer casing stone and pinnacle over time.”

The pyramid’s structure features a central core and a horizontal stone casing, interspersed with support blocks.

It is estimated to contain approximately 2.3 million stone blocks, each meticulously placed to achieve its monumental scale and stability.

Internally, the pyramid comprises eight main elements: the primary entrance with a descending passage, the entrance created by the workers of Caliph al-Ma’mun, the crypt, the grand gallery, the queen’s chamber, the king’s chamber, the aid chamber, and the shaft.

This intricate arrangement exemplifies the advanced engineering and architectural prowess characteristic of Old Kingdom pyramid construction.

In the recent study, researchers recorded seismic noise from 37 locations, including the king’s chamber, queen’s chamber, pressure relief chamber, construction blocks, and surrounding soil.

Most sections of the pyramid exhibited a surprisingly consistent fundamental frequency between 2 and 2.6 hertz, while the surrounding soil vibrated at roughly 0.6 hertz.

This frequency separation likely reduced the risk of earthquakes amplifying internal vibrations within the structure.

The researchers also observed that vibration amplification tends to increase with height inside the pyramid, but decreases in the pressure relief chamber above the King’s Chamber, indicating these spaces may help dissipate seismic stress.

However, researchers caution against overemphasizing these findings. While frequency mismatch may account for some of the pyramid’s durability, there is no direct evidence that ancient Egyptian builders intentionally designed their structures for earthquake resistance.

The team noted, “The suggestion of deliberate seismic optimization by ancient Egyptian architects remains speculative and cannot be substantiated by geophysical measurements alone.”

The study’s findings were published in the Journal on May 21, 2026, in a report by Scientific Reports.

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M. Elgabri et al. 2026. Architectural and geotechnical aspects affecting the earthquake resistance of the Pyramid of Khufu in ancient Egypt. Scientific Reports 16, 14032; doi: 10.1038/s41598-026-49962-6

Source: www.sci.news

Possible Underground Tomb Discovered Next to the Giza Pyramid

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Archaeologists have unearthed two unusual structures concealed beneath the ground adjacent to the renowned pyramids of Giza, Egypt.

Utilizing radar and electrical technologies, a collaborative team of Japanese and Egyptian scientists identified a perplexing 10m (33ft) L-shaped formation, positioned approximately 2m (6.5ft) underground, alongside a larger, deeper structure located about 5-10m (16-33ft) below the surface.

The purpose of these structures remains undetermined, but researchers propose that the L-shaped formation may signify an entrance to a larger object beneath, potentially a tomb entrance.

These findings were made in a vast empty area within the Western Cemetery, believed to date back four to five hundred years in Giza.

Previously overlooked during excavations due to the absence of visible structures above ground, this sandy region contrasts with surrounding cemeteries filled with numerous flat-roofed rectangular graves made from stone and mud, known as Mastabas.

This research, as published in Archaeological Research in early 2025, employed ground-penetrating radar (GPR) and a subsurface scanning method known as electrical resistance tomography (ERT).

GPR operates by sending radar waves into the ground. When these waves encounter a buried object, they are reflected back to the surface detector. By measuring the time taken for these waves to return, scientists can construct 3D representations of subterranean structures.

In a similar fashion, ERT involves sending electrical currents through the ground and assessing how easily electricity traverses different materials hidden below the surface.

Through these advanced techniques, archaeologists can detect variations in soil composition and pinpoint the shape and location of anomalies.

This is the entrance to the Mastabus in Giza, a rectangular tomb created for Sessmoufer IV. – Credit: DIY13 via Getty

However, Dr. Roland Enmarch, an Egyptian scholar from the University of Liverpool who was not involved in this study, told BBC Science Focus that the nature of these structures remains unclear.

“It’s difficult to say more until there’s an actual excavation at the site. [the L-shaped structure] but I wouldn’t be surprised if it turned out to be some form of grave,” he noted.

Regarding the deeper anomaly, Enmarch remarked:

Researchers suggest that this deeper structure might merely be a mix of sand and gravel or an air-filled void.

Enmarch expressed, “I’m genuinely eager to hear about the results of their excavations and verify my GPR findings.”

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About our experts

Dr. Roland Enmarch is an Egyptologist at the University of Liverpool in the UK, specializing in inscriptions of Egyptian literary laments and quarrying expeditions, particularly related to the Alabaster quarry in Hatnub.

Source: www.sciencefocus.com

Study Suggests Egypt’s Pyramid of Djoser Could Have Been Constructed Using an Innovative Hydraulic Lift System

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The Pyramid of Djoser, also known as the Step Pyramid, is believed to be the oldest of the seven great pyramids, built around 4,500 years ago.

Map of the Saqqara Plateau showing the waterway from the Gisr el-Mudir Dam (left) to the water treatment plant near the Pyramid of Djoser. The water is then routed to the pyramid's network of pipes to power the hydraulic elevators. Image courtesy of Landreau. others., doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0306690.

The Pyramid of Djoser, built around 2680 BC at Saqqara in Egypt, is considered a major milestone in monumental architecture.

This revealed for the first time two important innovations: the pyramidal shape of the pharaoh's tomb and the use of only perfectly finished stones in the masonry.

In fact, the ability to extract, lift and precisely stack millions of stones is also revolutionary.

Such were the complex and visible achievements of King Djoser that his architect, vizier and great priest of Ra, Imhotep, was deified during the New Kingdom.

In a new interdisciplinary analysis, Dr. Xavier Landreau of the CEA Palaeotechnical Institute and his colleagues have found that hydraulic lifts may have been used in the construction of the pyramid.

Based on their mapping of nearby watersheds, the authors found that one of Saqqara's large unexplained structures, the Gisr el-Mudir Enclosure, has the characteristics of a check dam intended to capture sediment and water.

Additionally, a series of compartments dug into the ground outside the pyramid may have acted as water treatment plants, allowing sediment to settle as water passed through each compartment.

This would have allowed the water to flow into the pyramid's columns themselves, and its upward force could have carried the building stones along.

More research is needed to understand how water flowed through the tunnels and how much water was present on the land at that point in Earth's history.

However, archaeologists suggest that while other building methods such as ramps may have been used to construct the pyramids, if there was enough water a hydraulic lift system may have been used to support the building process.

“The internal structure of the step pyramid is found to be consistent with a previously unreported mechanism for hydraulic build-up,” the researchers said.

“The ancient builders may have used sediment-free water from the south side of the dry moat to raise the stones from the center of the pyramid in a volcanic fashion.”

“The ancient Egyptians are famous for being pioneers and masters of hydraulics, including irrigation canals and barges for transporting megaliths.”

“This research opens up a new field of research into the use of water power to build the massive structures erected by the Pharaohs.”

of study Published online in the journal PLoS One.

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X. Landreau others2024. On the possibility of using hydropower to aid in the construction of the Step Pyramid at Saqqara. PLoS One 19 (8): e0306690; doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0306690

Source: www.sci.news

Transform your diet with this essential food pyramid

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The food pyramid is a visual representation of a balanced diet, showing the types and proportions of foods that contribute to overall health.

Imagine a pyramid divided into sections, with each section representing a different food group. Specific designs vary, but a typical food pyramid usually includes the following categories from base to apex:

Base (grain)

At the bottom, widest part, are grains like bread, rice, and pasta. These provide complex carbohydrates, which are your primary source of energy. Whole grains are also a good source of added fiber.

Second layer (fruits and vegetables)

Next, fruits and vegetables are rich in vitamins, minerals, fiber, and antioxidants. To get a variety of nutrients, try to eat at least five servings of colorful vegetables each day.

3rd layer (protein)

This section includes proteins like meat, poultry, fish, eggs, beans, nuts, etc. Protein is essential for muscle maintenance, immune function, and growth, and helps you feel fuller for longer.

Top layer (dairy or alternative)

This section discusses fortified alternatives, such as dairy or soy milk, which provide calcium and other essential nutrients needed for bone health.

Outside the pyramid (sweets and fats)

Here are your fats and sweets: While fats are necessary for many bodily functions, choose healthy fats, such as those found in olive oil and avocado. Limit your intake of added sugars and sweets.

The food pyramid acts as a guide to creating a balanced diet by incorporating a variety of foods from different groups while avoiding relying too heavily on one category.

This concept was shaped into a plate in the UK, Eatwell Guide. It tells you how much of each food group you should eat based on the space it takes up on your plate.

According to the Eatwell Guide, eating healthy means making balanced choices from the five food groups over the course of a day or week: one-third fruits and vegetables, one-third grains and starches, and the remaining third a mix of dairy, proteins, and fats, both animal and plant-based.

This article is a response to the question “What is the food pyramid and can it help you eat healthily?” (asked by Diane Weeks from Glasgow).

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Source: www.sciencefocus.com