In March 2023, scientists made an important discovery in the Pyramid of Khufu, the world’s only remaining classical marvel. They found a secret room behind the original entrance. But the big question remains to this day: What lies behind these walls? According to Egyptologist Marilyn Reynders, these chambers could lead to other, as yet unknown chambers containing treasures and possibly the mummy of Khufu. “That would be really crazy.”

On BNR’s new podcast, Factor Coifji, host Paul Sanders and guests search for ancient mysteries, missing pieces of history and lost treasures. In ten episodes, all the unanswered questions are addressed in stories so exciting they could come straight out of a comic book.

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In 2015, scientists from Egypt, France, Germany and Japan began investigating the Pyramid of Khufu. “They wanted to know how massive this structure really was,” Reynders explains. “It was always thought that the pyramid was quite solid, but there were suspicions that there were still unknown spaces.” Which turned out to be true.

New technologies

Because the pyramids are old and fragile, researchers used new non-surgical techniques, such as radiation methods. In 2017, two large voids were discovered in the pyramid. One of these large rooms is located above the large hallway that leads to the high burial chamber of Khufu. The other void, which is the problem here, is located a few meters behind the original entrance. “One camera revealed a gabled-roofed doorway about thirty feet long and four feet wide, perfectly stacked and beautifully appointed.”

“Space could lead to Khufu’s mummy”

Reynders gives two explanations for the purpose of the tunnel. The first, and she says the most exciting possibility, is that these rooms lead to other unknown rooms filled with treasures and perhaps even Khufu’s mummy. “This mummy has never been found and may have been abducted by grave robbers in ancient times.”

Another possible explanation is that the newly discovered passage is an architectural trick to relieve pressure on pyramid construction. “Although this sounds less exciting, it is at least interesting for scientists,” Reynders emphasizes. This discovery provides further knowledge about the technical prowess of Egyptian architects 4,500 years ago.

The search continues

Although there have been no scientific breakthroughs yet, research continues unabated. Reynders would find it crazy that researchers would eventually discover a burial chamber containing a large coffin and Khufu’s body. “Imagine Khufu was surrounded by luxurious objects and papyrus scrolls detailing how the pyramid was built,” she said excitedly. “That would solve the mystery of the pyramids in one fell swoop.”

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