Are these shafts really "secret" (i.e. were they meant to be hidden from future explorers or vandals), or are they simply unexplored so far?
Sorry, not trying to b pedantic, I really don't know which is it, but it would be an important difference of purpose.

I've been curious about the great pyramid, along with countless others, for a long time. Being neither an expert on it or Egyptian religion or culture I still find questions about it.
The things that stick out in my mind the most are why was Kufu's name only recorded once, by laborers in the red marking paint in an obscure place in the top of the burial chamber and no paintings and such in the King's chamber.

No lid to the sarcophagus, no statues and no lesser items like beer jars and such.

Basically, empty rooms. I would think that if, being built in a mere fourteen years, that the chambers would have been painted and prepared even before the top was completed so as to save time and ensure it's readiness for it's occupant.

The whole thing just goes against itself. It doesn't fit the model of why they built these tombs to begin with. Even if the King had been moved by his own people for security concerns or robbed by ancient thieves. No where had everything been removed from a tomb.

Question for our Egypt experts. Was the lone sarcophagus found in the Kings chamber built into the chamber, as in part of the stone making up the floor or was it a made of a single block in and of itself?

Second has anyone seen anything about the possibility of stone panels that would have been attached to the walls?

I'm going to do some research on my own, but if someone has any answers independently, please let me know.

Originally posted by Tinman67
Question for our Egypt experts. Was the lone sarcophagus found in the Kings chamber built into the chamber, as in part of the stone making up the floor or was it a made of a single block in and of itself?

Second has anyone seen anything about the possibility of stone panels that would have been attached to the walls?

I'm going to do some research on my own, but if someone has any answers independently, please let me know.

Hiya, the 'sarcophagus' was made of one block of granite. It's thought that it was put there as the pyramid was being built. It's a nondescript item, weighing almost 4 tons and poorly made. Some Egypt experts think it was a last minute rush job. Saw marks are still visible where they would usually have been rubbed away with sand. I also 'think' the drill marks are vaguely visible on the floor of the interior.

In regards to stone panels, no record of such being there. It's pretty standard across the 100 plus pyramids in Egypt (Giza, Dashur etc) that they are plain, unmarked and without internal decoration.

I haven't yet seen all of the information and speculation on these supposed ventilation shafts, but they do look pretty clean like they were applied like a drywall finisher. Since there are only a couple mentioned, I would think these may have also been used as if some type of fulcrum leverage system originally

These may have even been much larger openings and finished off with these. The apparent lack of wear patterns, suggests these shafts, as they now appear, were finishing blocks or tiles, like the ones on the outer walls. Another word is conduit, That could be used for many things; air water, even for conversations and orders. How well would sound travel in a shaft like this? Maybe it was partly for security also.

My thoughts are that the top or attic of the pyramid has an area like the suggested library and tomb. Upper levels might have been thought of as more secure from moisture and flooding, which makes me think about a library or even a second or duplicate library. The lower one as if possibly the underworld library.

The myths and stories of heaven and hell could be represented this way in the pyramid. Many libraries have had more than one floor and based on subject material.

Has anyone ever moved that 4-ton sarcophagus to see if there might be a floor opening beneath it?

Originally posted by Larryman
Has anyone ever moved that 4-ton sarcophagus to see if there might be a floor opening beneath it?

It would've been the first thing looters would do. If we can think of it, thieves and experts have already done it.