8 replies to this topic

[bobdrake12]

http://news.bbc.co.u...ast/2259838.stm




Sunday, 15 September, 2002, 15:13 GMT 16:13 UK

Robot to probe pyramid's mysteries (excerpts)

By the BBC's David Bamford




The robot is being supplied by US firm iRobot




Egyptologists can only speculate about where the tunnel may lead


Final checks are under way in the Egyptian capital Cairo on a specially adapted robot that this week will attempt to discover one of the mysteries lying at the heart of Egypt's biggest pyramid.

The 12-centimetre tall robot, named Pyramid Rover, is to make its way on Tuesday down a small tunnel in the hope of discovering ancient chambers that may shed light on how the pyramids were built.

The Great Pyramid of Cheops is the largest of a family of three pyramids on the Giza plateau near Cairo and a "must-see" attraction for every tourist who has ever visited the Egyptian capital.

Deep inside the pyramid, running from the Queen's chamber, is a mysterious 20-cm wide tunnel.

[bobdrake12]

http://news.bbc.co.u...east/646628.stm





Thursday, 17 February, 2000, 16:18 GMT

Ancient sarcophagus discovered (excerpts)




The sarcophagus was found underneath one of the Giza pyramids




The granite sarcophagus was burried deep underneath a pyramid




The Sphinx is there to protect the pyramids


Archaeologists in Egypt have found the symbolic tomb of the ancient Egyptian god Osiris buried deep underneath one of the Giza pyramids.

According to Egyptian archaeologist Zahi Hawass, the discovery of the granite sarcophagus became possible after water levels inside the pyramids sank.

Mr Hawass said the sarcophagus, which is estimated to date from 500 BC in the New Kingdom, was surrounded by the remains of four pillars built in the shape of a hieroglyphic House of Osiris.

Ruler of the underworld

Osiris was one of the most important gods of ancient Egypt who according to mythology was murdered by his wicked brother Seth.

He was buried by Isis, his sister-wife, and brought back to life as judge of the dead and ruler of the underworld.

According to Mr Hawass, Herodotus, the famous ancient historian, mentioned that this tomb existed in the middle of the 5th century BC, but it has never been possible to access it because of high water levels.

Archaeologists in Egypt have found the symbolic tomb of the ancient Egyptian god Osiris buried deep underneath one of the Giza pyramids.

According to Egyptian archaeologist Zahi Hawass, the discovery of the granite sarcophagus became possible after water levels inside the pyramids sank.

Mr Hawass said the sarcophagus, which is estimated to date from 500 BC in the New Kingdom, was surrounded by the remains of four pillars built in the shape of a hieroglyphic House of Osiris.

[bobdrake12]

Osiris, the Egyptian god of the underworld


http://www.towers-on...es/shaftos1.htm


"Opening The Lost Tombs" - The Tomb Of Osiris (excerpts)

On the 2nd of March 1999, the FOX Television Network broadcast a programme entitled 'Opening The Lost Tombs: Live From Egypt.' The closing section of the programme dealt with the 'Tomb of Osiris', the location described in these pages. Here was an opportunity for the man in charge of the excavations to end the speculation about what lies beneath Khafre's causeway.

The Main Points...
The following is a summary of the main points raised by this section of the programme. Attributions are given to indicate if a point arises from statements made by the FOX presenters (FOX) or from Doctor Hawass himself (ZH). Statements in italics are explanatory notes added by The Towers On-Line.

o Doctor Hawass has discovered a subterranean chamber that lies at the bottom of a long shaft not far from the Sphinx. (FOX)
o Doctor Hawass discovered the chamber about a year ago and refers to it as his greatest adventure ever. (FOX)
o The chamber is the one talked about by Herodotus. (ZH) ("...underground sepulchral chambers on the hill where the pyramids stand; a cut was made from the Nile, so that the water from it turned the site of these into an island." - The Histories Book 2, s 124)
o Doctor Hawass has established that the chamber is the 'Tomb of Osiris'. (ZH)
o The second level chamber was obscured with dirt and sand. Doctor Hawass and his men cleared it to find a burial chamber with six rooms cut in the rock. (FOX)
o Doctor Hawass found two red granite sarcophagi, pottery and bones. (ZH)
o Doctor Hawass dates the pottery to 500 B.C., 2,500 years ago. (ZH)
o Doctor Hawass found the shaft leading to the third level. (My interpretation, based on Suzy Kolber (FOX): "And what made you think that there was anything beyond this?" ZH: "You have to look for the other level. This is the adventure.")
o When Doctor Hawass found the third level, it was submerged. (FOX)
o To lower the sarcophagus into the chamber, the shaft was filled with sand and the sarcophagus was placed on top. The sand was removed via side-shafts cut for the purpose. As the level of the sand dropped, the sarcophagus was lowered down the shaft. (ZH)
o Archaeologists agree that a network of tunnels lies below the Giza plateau. (FOX)
o Doctor Hawass believes that Edgar Cayce's references to a lost civilisation are a legend, a myth. (ZH)
o Doctor Hawass stood in the entrance to what he said was an unexcavated tunnel. (ZH) (The entrance is located in the northwest corner of the chamber.)

Matters Arising...


This section highlights some discrepancies between the discovery of this location as reported in the television programme and other historical reports. It also suggests why Herodotus was told that this location - if indeed it is the same one - was Khufu's burial chamber, and for comparative purposes gives examples of other locations also called the 'Tomb of Osiris'.

From points 1 and 2 above, Doctor Hawass discovered the subterranean chamber recently, however it is clear from the Excavations At Giza excerpt reproduced on page 1 and the London Daily Telegraph article of the 4th March 1935 reproduced on page 3 that the location was known about many years ago.

From points 5, 6 and 8 above, on clearing the second level chamber Doctor Hawass found six sidechambers cut into the rock and the shaft descending to the third level chamber. Two of the sidechambers contained red granite sarcophagi, Again, it is clear from the reports cited above that Doctor Selim Hassan was fully aware of the layout of the second chamber with its sidechambers and also of the shaft to the third level, although he believed the two monolithic sarcophagi to be of basalt rather than granite.

From points 3 and 4, we are told that this is the chamber talked about by Herodotus, and furthermore that it is the 'Tomb of Osiris'. Herodotus is thought to have visited Egypt in the middle of the fifth century B.C., this being approximately seventy five years after the end of the 26th (Saite) dynasty. This dynasty started with Necho, king of Sais around 666 B.C. and ended with the demise of Psamtik III around 525 B.C. It was during this time that there was a resurgence of interest in the Old Kingdom. The old kings were worshipped once again and stories retold about their deeds. A stela found in the Temple of Isis and dated to the 26th Dynasty tells how Khufu made repairs to this temple (constructed in the eastern cemetry at Gizeh in the 21st Dynasty) and repaired the headdress of the Sphinx (see Lehner, The Complete Pyramids, p39) so it is clear that at least some of the stories being told at the time were somewhat economical with the truth.

From point 7, Doctor Hawass dates the pottery found in the second level chamber to around 500 B.C., i.e. close to the end of the Saite period. On the assumption that the chambers were constructed in this period, they could only have been about two hundred years old at most at the time of Herodotus's visit. This might explain why Herodotus was told that the 'underground sepulchral chambers' were associated with Khufu, the story being a remnant of the resurgence of interest in the Old Kingdom.

It was not made clear whether Doctor Hawass was dating the entire complex to this period or referring specifically to the second level. On other occasions when talking about this 'Tomb of Osiris', he has dated it to the time of the 18th Dynasty. These questions about the dating of the location and how the date was arrived at will no doubt be answered when Doctor Hawass publishes his report on the location. This report might also describe the diligent research from which he established that this is indeed the location talked about by Herodotus.

Doctor Hawass did not elaborate on why he thinks that the location is a symbolic 'Tomb of Osiris'. It might be because it has some similarities in layout with the 'Tomb of Osiris' at Abydos. For those unfamiliar with this location, a fine account of its discovery and excavation can be found in an Illustrated London News article entitled "Strabo's Well" and Tomb of Osiris taken from the 30th May, 1914 edition.

Another 'Tomb of Osiris' is mentioned by Labib Habichi in his essay "Sais And Its Monuments", (see Annales Du Service Des Antiquites De L'Egypte vol. 42, p371):

o Herodotus, who visited it (Sais) in the middle of the fifth century B.C., not long after the fall of this (26th) dynasty, gives us a detailed description of its buildings...Concerning the tombs of its kings, he says that the sepulchre of Apries lies within the temenos wall of Neith. "This wall encloses the tomb of Amasis as well as that of Apries and his family." (Histories, Book 2, s 169) "It encloses also the tomb of Osiris which stands behind the temple, large stone obelisks and a lake built with stones on which the Egyptians represent the sufferings of Osiris." (Histories Book 2, s 170-171)

[bobdrake12]

http://www.earthchan...110receding.htm


January 10 , 2001

Receding Water Reveals A God




Photo by Reuters/Aladin Abdel Naby/Archive Photos


Receding ground water has uncovered a startling archeological treasure, the tomb of Osiris, perhaps the most important god in Egyptian mythology.

A granite sarcophagus believed to contain the remains of Osiris was found inside a 98-ft.-deep tomb in Giza, site of the famous pyramids. Zahi Hawass, a prominent Egyptian archeologist, dated the sarcophagus to 500 BCE.

According to ancient Egyptian legend, Osiris was murdered by his brother Seth. After being buried by Isis, who was both his sister and his wife, he returned to life as the ruler of the underworld.

More startling revelations are on the horizon. Bones and artifacts near the sarcophagus date back as far as 3000 BCE.


copyright -2000 Earth Changes TV P.O. Box 31286 Seattle, Wa 98103


Send e-mail to: earthchanges@earthlink.net or fax to: (206) 547-5136

[bobdrake12]

And there are rumors.



http://members.aol.c...rbitback25.html








Regarding the rumors circulating [last year] about the discovery of a new waterlogged chamber and sarcophagus down the well shaft beneath Khafra's Causeway. The sarcophagus found will hold a warrior in suspended animation. His "Blue Star" [craft] which was under the great vault [pyramid] has long since been spirited off to a facility north east of Holsteinsborg, Greenland. (Informant, January, 1999).




The Shaft, The Subway & The Causeway


http://towers-online...ges/shafted.htm

The Shaft, The Subway & The Causeway (excerpts)


The Start Of The Puzzle





Some time ago, I came across a book entitled "The Symbolic Prophecy of the Great Pyramid" written by H. Spencer Lewis, Ph.D., F.R.C, first published in 1936. Until his death in 1939, Dr Lewis was the Imperator of the Rosicrucian Order, AMORC. My interest was aroused by the appendix which describes an article written in the January 1935 copy of a magazine editted in Egypt and "more or less privately published in London". Unfortunately, the magazine is not identified. It was said to contain an article written by Hamilton M. Wright describing discoveries then being made by Dr. Selim Hassan during his sixth season of work at Giza. The article was apparently accompanied with photographs of the excavations taken by Wright. It was during this season in 1934/35 that Hassan cleared the causeway linking the Valley Temple to Khafre's Mortuary Temple. In the course of these excavations, Hassan found a subway running underneath the causeway from one side to the other. Inside the subway he found a series of shafts descending deep below the causeway and leading to a number of chambers.

A detailed description is given in the book. It describes an interconnected series of rooms with walls beautifully decorated with coloured friezes and refers to many magnificently carved figures. The style of decoration is described as showing characteristics of the period following Amenhotep's mystical reawakening of Egypt (presumably Amenhotep IV, better known as Akhnaton) and it is suggested that the complex was used by an ancient mystery school. A number of sarcophagi were found implying that the complex is a tomb, however the book suggests that they were used for initiatory practises. I was intrigued. The article as quoted in the book states that the find was in a remarkable state of preservation. Furthermore, it claims that photographs were taken at the time and artifacts were recovered. Where are they now? What was the name of the publication quoted in the book?

The reason why this struck me as being of significance is that elsewhere in the book, it claims that The Rosicrucian Order, AMORC was/is (?) in possession of ancient manuscripts that indicate the existence of underground passages and chambers connecting the Sphinx to the three main pyramids. In the appendix to the book, it seems to be suggesting that Dr Hassan's discovery of the series of chambers might in some way corroborate the existence of the other passages. An overview of the appendix is given on page 6

On a trip to Giza in February 1998, I tried to find the answer to some of these questions. I located the subway passing beneath the causeway linking the second Pyramid to the Sphinx. A deep shaft descends vertically through the rock, however it is located to the side of the subway passage rather than being in the centre as stated in the book. Any further investigation was blocked by railings placed around the shaft and a locked gate, however the bottom could be clearly seen. It did not end in a spacious room as described in the article, but what looks like a tunnel could be seen heading horizontally northwards from the bottom of the shaft. On-the-spot discussions with a "local" suggested that there is a further vertical shaft descending from this tunnel and that the shaft leads to two rooms with heiroglyphs on the walls. Unfortunately, this information was obtained via a "shaky" interpreter and so would need confirmation. I was unable to locate any other subway passing under the causeway. Was this subway the same one? Why is there such a big difference between the article's description as referred to by the book and the facts on the ground? Certainly, the facts should be verifiable. Dr. Hassan conducted excavations in the area for the University of Cairo for ten seasons starting in 1929. They are documented in the ten volumes of "Excavations at Giza" published by the Government Press, Cairo. This should be a straightforward puzzle to solve. I just needed to look up the report for the sixth season's work. Needless to say, nothing is as straightforward as it first seems although as time goes by, some of the questions are being answered. In early September 1998 I was told by someone with practical experience of the location that the tunnel referred to above is actually the entrance to the spacious room described in the article.

June 2001 Update: In 1999, Doctor Hawass "went public" with news of his discovery of a symbolic "Tomb of Osiris" at Giza. This is the same location as the one written about by Lewis back in 1936, and also the place described above. It soon became clear that there was no sign of the beautifully decorated rooms described by Lewis. A considerable amount of time and effort was required to find the answer, the end result being that the locations described by Lewis DO exist.

[bobdrake12]

http://towers-online...ges/shafted.htm

The Shaft, The Subway & The Causeway - Part 2 (excerpts)


Take The On-Line Sightseeing Tour...


The pictures in this section were grabbed from some videotape I shot in the first week of June 1998. You can click on them to see full-size images, some of them are marked with explanatory captions.




You are standing to the south of Khafre's causeway looking north. The Great Pyramid can be seen in the top left corner. The camel rider is travelling along the causeway towards the Valley Temple. The top of the shaft is surrounded by bricks on three sides. The south entrance to the subway can be seen below the causeway. Note the cables leading into the subway.




You have turned to the right and are looking in an easterly direction along the side of the causeway towards the Sphinx. Note the power cable in the forground.




You have walked into the south entrance. The shaft is on the west side. Note the new-looking padlock, the water pipe descending into the shaft (the top section looks almost white because of reflection) and the top of the metal ladder.




You have walked further along the subway and turned around to face the south entrance. The grill surrounding the shaft can be seen at top centre. Note the various utility services running along the floor.



You are now back at the padlocked gate. The north entrance can be seen bottom right. Looking up, you can see light entering from the causeway surface. Note the disconnected water pipe in the foreground.




You have walked past the shaft and turned around to look down it. The metal ladder can be seen at left descending into the shaft with the waterpipe to the left of the ladder. The horizontal openings in the shaft wall do not continue for any distance. Note the rope or cable on the right.




You are looking closely at the bottom of the shaft. The entrance to the first chamber can be seen leading away from the right (north) wall. Discarded rope or cable can be seen on the floor.




You are looking into the entrance to the first chamber on its south side. The second vertical shaft is located at the northern end of the chamber.

[bobdrake12]

http://www.catchpenny.org/rosyx.html

The Rosicrucian View

The Symbolic Prophecy of the Great Pyramid (Rosicrucian Press, 1936), H. Spencer Lewis


In his book The Symbolic Prophecy of the Great Pyramid (Rosicrucian Press, 1936), H. Spencer Lewis included drawings "made from secret manuscripts possessed by archivists of the mystery schools of Egypt and the Orient and are part of secret manuscripts telling of the ancient forms of initiations held in the Sphinx and the Great Pyramid." The existence of the halls and passages are, of course, "denied repeatedly by Egyptian and other authorities and even by eminent archaeologists and investigators from various parts of Europe." (p. 181) The elevation and plan reproduced below is based on this secret information.


Elevation of the Subterranean Hall.




© Diagram copyright AMORC: Lewis, The Symbolic Prophecy of the Great Pyramid, p. 127


Spence cites a magazine article "edited in Egypt, and more or less privately published in London" that was written by Hamilton M. Wright. The article focuses on the excavations made by Dr. Salim Hassan of the University of Cairo. "We have discovered a subway," Hassan is quoted as saying, "used by the ancient Egyptians of 5,000 years ago. It passes beneath the causeway leading between the second pyramid and the Sphinx." The subway is some 72 feet wide and more than 1,400 feet long. In addition to the subway, there are a number of subterranean chambers and temples, including a "Chapel of Offerings" that has three pillars in the center. On the west side of this chapel is a "room of initiation and reception" in which was found a "large white sarcophagus of white Turah limestone" and "excellent examples of alabaster vessels." Lewis describes the walls as being "beautifully painted and sculptured with scenes and inscriptions" and adds that "there are many magnificently carved figures in these various underground rooms and chapels, temples, and hallways, also many beautifully colored friezes." pp. 189-190) Spence assures the readers that all of these details, complete with photographs, are included in Hassan's report.


Plan of the Giza passageways



© Diagram copyright AMORC: Lewis, The Symbolic Prophecy of the Great Pyramid, p. 126


The factual evidence of Hassan's report, writes Spence, "verify at least in part the things indicated on the two diagrams ... and undoubtedly the passing of time will verify other parts of these diagrams." (p. 190)


Catchpenny Mysteries © copyright 2000 by Larry Orcutt.

[Lazarus Long]

New Obstacle Blocks Robot Probe in Egypt Pyramid
Tue Sep 17, 4:12 AM ET
By Tom Perry

CAIRO (Reuters) - Hopes of unlocking the mysteries of Egypt's biggest pyramid hit a new snag Tuesday when a robot crawling up a narrow shaft to peek through an ancient limestone door found a second stone slab blocking the way.

"Pyramid Rover" climbed about 213 feet up one of two passages stretching from a chamber inside the pyramid of Cheops to peer through a hole in the door which some thought might conceal secret chambers, statues of the pharaoh or ancient scrolls dating back 4,500 years. "We found a space. We found another sealed chamber," the head of Egypt's Supreme Antiquities Council, Zahi Hawass, said during a live television broadcast of the expedition sponsored by National Geographic ( news - web sites) Channels.

During the broadcast, Hawass also lifted the lid of a 4,500-year-old sarcophagus near the site of the Great Pyramids on the Giza plateau near Cairo to reveal the skeleton of a man who he said was the mayor of a village of pyramid builders.

A tourist on the plateau discovered the tomb containing the ancient coffin in June.

"Every piece of this ... will be taken to the lab for X-ray. We will find out ... everything about him," Hawass said.

The fresh obstacle blocking the probe inside the pyramid of the pharaoh Cheops, also known as Khufu, is sure to vex archaeologists, who have been puzzled by the two shafts in the giant structure since they were first discovered in 1872.

Some Egyptologists think the shafts, which rise from an unfinished chamber, were built as vents. Others say they were passages for the dead king's soul to ascend to the afterlife.

Hawass said it was impossible to tell what might lie behind the newly discovered door in the 480-feet pyramid.

"Maybe something belonging to Khufu is hidden behind the second one. Maybe there is nothing," he told reporters after Pyramid Rover had finished shooting footage of the space between the two slabs using a fiber-optic camera.

"That door looks very fragile because it has cracks all over," Hawass said.

More investigation and scientific work were required before drawing up any plan for a further probe to look beyond the second door in the narrow shaft, which measures 20 by 20 cm (eight by eight inches), he added.

"We cannot make a plan right now. The plan will be done in a few months maybe," Hawass said.

The first door, fitted with two copper handles, was discovered by German scholar Rudolph Gantenbrink in a 1993 expedition using another robot probe.

"Pyramid Rover," which uses the same technology that helped search for survivors of the September 11 attacks, had drilled a small hole through the first door Friday, allowing it to peek through during the live broadcast Tuesday, an expedition spokesman said.

[bobdrake12]

http://news.bbc.co.u...ast/1969247.stm





Sunday, 5 May, 2002, 12:27 GMT 13:27 UK

Queen's pyramid found near Cairo (excerpts)




Archaeologists have found 110 pyramids in Egypt


Archaeologists in Egypt say they have discovered the remains of a 4,500-year-old pyramid.

The edifice, outside Cairo, is believed to contain the tomb of an unidentified Egyptian queen.

It is the 110th pyramid to be uncovered in Egypt and the first for four years.