Josh Weiner
A bold claim by Italian researchers suggesting the existence of a vast underground city beneath the Pyramids of Giza has ignited a heated debate among archaeologists and Egyptologists. While some see it as a groundbreaking discovery, others argue it lacks scientific credibility.
Professor Corrado Malanga from the University of Pisa and his team assert that radar scans have revealed an extensive subterranean network below the pyramids. According to their findings, the images indicate vertical shafts, spiral staircases, and what appears to be an elaborate water system stretching over 2,000 feet (610 meters) underground. The researchers even speculate that this hidden complex could house the legendary Hall of Records—a mythical archive of ancient Egyptian knowledge.
“When we refine the images further, we believe they will unveil what can only be described as a true underground city,” the team announced at a recent press conference in Italy.
However, many experts remain skeptical. Professor Lawrence Conyers, a radar imaging specialist from the University of Denver, argues that the technology used—satellite-based radar scanning—does not have the capability to penetrate to such depths. He dismissed the claims as “highly exaggerated,” though he acknowledged that smaller underground structures could exist beneath the pyramids.
Egyptian archaeologist Dr. Zahi Hawass also rejected the findings, stating that they are “completely unfounded” and not supported by scientific evidence. Speaking to The National, Dr. Hawass emphasized that such a discovery would require physical excavation and detailed verification, neither of which has taken place.
The study, conducted by Professor Malanga and his colleagues Filippo Biondi and Armando Mei, focused primarily on the Khafre Pyramid, one of the three main pyramids in the Giza complex. However, their research has yet to be published in a peer-reviewed journal, casting doubt on its validity within the academic community.
Built approximately 4,500 years ago on the west bank of the Nile, the pyramids of Giza continue to be a source of fascination and speculation. While the idea of a lost underground city may capture the public’s imagination, definitive proof remains elusive. For now, the mystery of what lies beneath Egypt’s most iconic monuments endures.
