2002 robot drills southern channel, finds only core masonry

January 12, 2026

EgyptEpigraphy

Source: Finishing the Great Pyramid's Air-Channel Saga by History for GRANITE

Site mentioned

📍 Great Pyramid of Giza🗺️ More sites in Egypt 🌍 Show on the globe

In 2002, a robot drilled through the Queen's Chamber southern blocking stone on TV. Beyond it: a second sealed stone slab. Zahi Hawass called this 'a discovery' on air—the finding of another door, which has been a subject of debate for over 23 years. 📺🤖

Key facts

In 2002, Pyramid Rover mission drilled through southern blocking stone
Revealed only a small 19 cm gap beyond with regular core masonry
Zahi Hawas claimed on live TV this was 'another sealed door' and 'a discovery'
Hawas has maintained this claim for over 23 years despite evidence showing coremasonry
The 2002 'Into the Great Pyramid' broadcast was live TV