Controversial study claims massive structures discovered under pyramids in Egypt
A new study on the Egyptian pyramids has caused a stir worldwide, after researchers from Italy and Scotland claimed that there is a 'huge underground city' extending over 6,500 feet beneath Giza pyramids – ten times larger than the pyramids themselves.
This claim is based on the use of pulse radar devices by experts to create high-resolution images deep underground beneath the structures, in the same way that sonar radar is used to map the depths of the oceans.
The study, which has not been reviewed by independent experts, revealed the presence of eight vertical cylindrical structures extending over 2,100 feet beneath the pyramid, in addition to additional unknown structures at a depth of 4,000 feet.
Press release described the findings as 'groundbreaking,' and if proven true, could rewrite the history of ancient Egypt.
However, independent experts have raised serious concerns about the study.
A ground-penetrating radar (GPR) archaeological researcher at the University of Denver, Lawrence Conyers, told DailyMail.com that it is impossible for the technology to penetrate that deep into the ground.
He called the claims of an underground city 'a huge exaggeration', and instead explained that it is more conceivable that small structures, such as columns and rooms, existed beneath the pyramids before they were built.
Conyers added that the only way to prove the authenticity of the discoveries is would be to conduct 'targeted excavations, and my opinion is that as long as the authors aren't making things up and their basic methods are correct, everyone interested in the site should take a look at their interpretations.'
He also told the DailyMail that he cannot determine whether the technology used actually captured a hidden structure beneath the pyramid, adding that they are using all sorts of sophisticated proprietary data analysis software.
Former Egyptian Minister of Antiquities Mamdouh al-Damaty slammed the claims as 'utterly baseless'.
Damaty noted that documented archaeological research have not hinted at any secret structures of this size.
He explained that the pyramids and their surrounding lands have been subject to decades of study and excavation by professional archaeologists, and no evidence has emerged to support these claims.
A study lacking in proper standards
Egyptologist and former Director General of the Giza Pyramids Area, Hussein Abdel-Basir, also said that this study lacks the most basic standards of proper scientific research.
He added that any genuine scientific discovery in the field of archaeology must first be published in a reliable scientific journal after careful peer review.
Abdel-Basir continued, 'What happened here was merely a press conference and press release, without a scientific paper published in any respectable journal, and without an official announcement from the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities or the Supreme Council of Antiquities.'
He said that geophysical techniques such as GPRs or seismic analysis can only survey limited depths, not exceeding tens of meters in the best of circumstances.
The claim of the existence of huge structures at a depth of 2,000 feet (600 meters) is science fiction and not based on any reality, Abdel-Basir stressed.
He also noted that one of the people making this claim, Corrado Malanga, is a well-known researcher in unidentified flying objects and has previously appeared on programs about aliens.
Abdel-Basir added, 'When this approach is introduced into archaeological research, it transforms from scientific research into the promotion of conspiracy theories and populism that do not serve the truth.'
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