Osiris Shaft Sarcophagus May Predate the Great Pyramid by Centuries. Shaft drops 100 ft underground between Sphinx and Cheops Pyramid Three levels descend, each narrower than the last, with moat carved into bedrock Second level contains two 40-ton sarcophagi, one made of desite volcanic rock
A shaft dropping 100 feet between the Sphinx and Great Pyramid descends through three increasingly narrow levels surrounding a moat carved into bedrock. The second level contains two 40-ton sarcophagi, one carved from desite volcanic rock with no known Egyptian source—the closest quarry lies hundreds of miles away. Thermoluminescence dating places this stone between 3350-2250 BC, potentially predating the pyramids by centuries if accurate. Human remains found exclusively on the right side of the body remain unexplained. Zahi Hawass called it the most important discovery of his career.
Key Facts
- Shaft drops 100 ft underground between Sphinx and Cheops Pyramid
- Three levels descend, each narrower than the last, with moat carved into bedrock
- Second level contains two 40-ton sarcophagi, one made of desite volcanic rock
- Desite sarcophagus has no known Egyptian source, closest quarry hundreds of miles away
- Third level contains skeleton and two Osiris amulet shapes in black sarcophagus
- Layout matches ancient Egyptian myth of Osiris tomb on island surrounded by water
- Surface thermoluminescence dating places desite stone between 3350-2250 BC
- If accurate, this predates the Great Pyramid by centuries
- Human remains found exclusively from right side of body, reason unknown
- Zahi Hawass calls it most important discovery of his career
Related site: Osiris Shaft — view location, images, and history on the Ancient Nerds map.
Source: 5 Ancient Tunnels That Were Never Meant to Be Found by Dark5 Ancient Mysteries