Researchers have finally been able to confirm that there is a secret room on the north side of the Cheops pyramid. Expert Olga Popovich, who represents Ukraine in the international team of archaeologists, told Focus how scientists found a secret corridor 9 meters long near the tomb of the pharaoh.
The Pyramids of Giza are a complex of ancient monuments built thousands of years ago by the ancient Egyptians. The tallest and most mysterious of them, perhaps, is the Pyramid of Cheops (Khufu). She is the only survivor of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
Recently, researchers managed to find a secret room in the Great Pyramid of Giza. The room is about 2.1 meters wide and 9.1 meters long, which is more than scientists had previously assumed based on scan results.
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Focus decided to learn more about how large-scale structures that have survived from the time of Ancient Egypt are being explored. Our interlocutor is an expert Olga Popovich, who participates in the ScanPyramids project. The researcher is originally from Ivano-Frankivsk and represents Ukraine in an international team that studies the secrets of the Egyptian pyramids.
The international team includes archaeologists from Germany, Egypt, Italy, the USA, Mexico, France, and now from Ukraine
Photo: Olga Popovych
How long have you been interested in archaeology? Why did you choose this particular science? What led or inspired you to it?
By education, I am a non-destructive testing engineer (control of the reliability of the main operating properties and parameters of an object or its individual elements / nodes, which does not require the object to be taken out of operation or dismantled – ed.). Bachelor’s and Master’s programs she graduated with a degree in Instruments and Methods for Controlling and Determining the Composition of Substances, defended her thesis. I was able to apply my knowledge to the study of cultural heritage sites and join the ScanPyramids team of professionals thanks to the scholarship program of the Technical University of Munich (TUM). In July, I participated in it as a free listener, and already in October 2022, having signed a working contract with TUM, I became its project manager.
Working with such an important cultural heritage site, one of the Seven Wonders of the World, brought me great pleasure and inspired me to continue my scientific work on the use of non-destructive testing for the study of cultural heritage sites.
The ScanPyramids archaeologists work in three areas: ultrasound, radar, and electrical resistive tomography.
Photo: Olga Popovych
How did you manage to get into the international team of archaeologists? Was it difficult to find a common language with the participants, or did you immediately understand that you were “on the same wavelength”?
Our team is really multinational, it includes representatives from Germany, Egypt, Italy, USA, Mexico, France and other countries, and now I can proudly say that Ukraine is also participating. It is very comfortable to work, each participant is unique and has special skills and abilities, and together we form a team of professionals.
The ScanPyramids project focuses on three areas: ultrasound, radar, and electrical resistive tomography. The use of three research methods makes it possible to confirm the measurement data and determine the fairly accurate dimensions of the detected anomalies in the internal structure.
What is your job like? How does it look to a person from the outside? Are there any nuances, interesting little things that no one would pay attention to, but are they really very important?
The research work consists of several stages: preparation for measurements (review of scientific literature and publications, digital modeling, testing of research samples, if possible), measurements on the control object, data processing (this is one of the most difficult stages, it takes time, experience and knowledge), the final stage: writing a report, preparing a publication and forming a plan for further research.
At each of these stages, the well-coordinated work of the participants and the maintenance of field diaries, photo and video recording of important moments are important.
“At each of these stages, the well-coordinated work of the participants and keeping field diaries, photo and video recording of important moments is important,” says researcher Olga Popovich
Photo: Olga Popovych
How did you feel when you received the video from inside this secret room? Did what you see meet your expectations?
The whole team was looking forward to the endoscopy, because after processing the data, we clearly saw the anomaly and could not understand what it was. The only discrepancy was in clear coordinates. Therefore, when, on the evening of February 25, my team and I received a photo from the endoscope from the head of the group, Professor Grosse, we were incredibly happy.
What preceded this discovery? Did you have certain ideas, theories, did you admit that there really could be some kind of hidden space inside the Cheops pyramid? Or is it just the result of research?
Pyramid research has been going on for a very long time, there are many theories and fictions. But our work was based on real scientific data.
In the first phase of the ScanPyramids project, a team of Japanese scientists measured the fluxes of muons, a component of cosmic rays. The Japanese were able to identify a large cavity in the pyramid of Cheops. This discovery was the impetus for the expansion of scientific research.
An international team of archaeologists has explored a secret chamber in the Great Pyramid of Giza
Photo: Olga Popovych
How long has the team been researching the pyramid of Cheops? What are the legal aspects of research, obtaining permission?
Until 2016, the Egyptian Ministry of Antiquities blocked any exploration of the pyramids and other sites. Our team joined the project three years ago, during which time we managed to conduct three measuring campaigns and explore the chevron of the pyramid, the chambers of the pharaoh and the queen and the corresponding corridors. We managed to get access to the pyramid thanks to the participation of the Egyptian team, we work with the permission and under the close supervision of the ministry.
When working with the pyramid, there are many difficulties: there is a ban on applying any markings or measuring tapes (this complicates the measurement process), unstable scaffolding near the chevron, which requires the need for additional security measures and equipment, difficult climatic conditions inside the pyramid (air temperature over 24 degrees and humidity above 80%), as well as excessive access of tourists to one of the cameras.
The results of camera studies will also be published. A significant advantage of access to the pyramid for our team was the financing of the ScanPyramids project with DAAD funds.
Archaeologists have explored the Pyramid of Cheops despite many difficulties in their work
Photo: Olga Popovych
What do you think of Cleopatra’s burial? There are rumors that there are several corridors that can lead to the tomb of the legendary queen – is this true? Or just legends and stories?
The results of studies of the queen’s chamber, as well as the corridor leading to the chamber, are also promising, they will be published later – but for now this information is confidential.
What are the next stages in the exploration of the discovered secret room? Are they connected to a corridor? Or will it be other parts of the pyramid?
We are currently awaiting confirmation of continued funding for the project. We plan to explore the discovered room, as well as other chambers and the Great Gallery, since the pyramid still has a large number of mysteries and unknowns.
Olha Popovych: “My dream as a scientist is to implement modern, thorough research, develop and represent Ukraine with dignity”
Photo: Olga Popovych
What is your opinion about the development of archeology and general archaeological activity in Ukraine?
I am not an expert in archeology, but I can say for sure that the study of cultural heritage sites is like unexplored land, incredible potential. But our scientists, due to lack of funding, and, accordingly, modern equipment, do not have the opportunity to conduct relevant research. That is why now I am trying to find as many opportunities as possible for the development of international cooperation in the field of science. If specialists from Ukraine get access to international projects, they will be able not only to promote their own research, but also to demonstrate our cultural achievements to the whole world.
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