July 26 marks uncovering one of biggest secrets of Khufu Pyramid

Egypt State Information Service

July 26 will mark the uncovering of one of the biggest secrets of the Great Pyramid of Khufu in Giza, Secretary General of the Egyptian Supreme Council of Antiquities Zahi Hawwas said Saturday 16/5/2009.

Addressing a symposium held within the framework of the Turin International Book Fair, he said the SCA will undertake another experiment involving getting a robot made by a group of scientists at the Universities of Hong Kong and Manchester into the pyramid to uncover the mystery shrouding the third gate of one of the pyramid's corridors. This gate is expected to lead to the room where King Khufu is buried.

The Great Pyramid of Giza (Pyramid of Cheops) is the oldest and largest of the three Giza pyramids and is the only remaining member of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

It is believed the pyramid was built as a tomb for Fourth dynasty Egyptian King Khufu (Cheops in Greek) and constructed over a 20 year period concluding around 2560 BC.

The Great Pyramid was the tallest man-made structure in the world for over 3,800 years. Originally the Great Pyramid was covered by casing stones that formed a smooth outer surface, and what is seen today is the underlying core structure. Some of the casing stones that once covered the structure can still be seen around the base.

There have been varying scientific and alternative theories regarding the Great Pyramid's construction techniques. Most accepted construction theories are based on the idea that it was built by moving huge stones from a quarry and dragging and lifting them into place.

There are three known chambers inside the Great Pyramid. The lowest chamber is cut into the bedrock upon which the pyramid was built and was unfinished. The so-called Queen's Chamber and King's Chamber are higher up within the pyramid structure.

The Great Pyramid of Giza is the main part of a complex setting of buildings that included two mortuary temples in honor of Khufu; one close to the pyramid and one near the Nile.