Expert: Ralph Salier - 9/26/2005

Question
Which pyramid is it in which they found a narrow passage/channel carved out of the stone which they sent a ROV equiped w/ a video camera down the shaft and found a smooth,square stone sealed with mortar with 2 brass/metal handle like things on it (i.e. a "door") which they drilled a hole through the stone "door" revealing more of the passage and then a 2nd almost identical stone "door"? Have they been able to drill a hole through or somehow find out what lies behind the 2nd door yet? What do you think lies behind the 2nd door?
Some great knowledge or secret of the ancient Egyptians?  

Answer
Brad,   The pyramid you are refering to is that of Kufu or Cheops.  He reigned during the early dynastic period when Pyramids were all the rage.  The mysterious "doors" are actually plugs.  When the pyramid was under construction, they build in air vents so that the workers working on the inside would not suffer.  Once the work inside was done, these plugs were inserted to stop air flow and make it hard for theves to get in or out or use the vent for other purposes.  There is nothing mysterious about them.  There are several similar vents in this and other pyramids on Giza.  For the sake of TV, these are made to seem mysterious but it is all TV hype.  Sorry.  

Every thing the Egyptians knew, we know today.  They may have invented some of these systems and processes but much of this was known even before them and they simply pulled it all together.