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Bettany Hughes explored the depths of the Great Pyramid

The Great Pyramid of Giza, which still stands prominently in the El Giza complex of Egypt, is one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, built over more than 20 years for the Pharaoh Khufu. This ancient king’s body, who ruled during the Fourth Dynasty, has never been discovered. However, that could soon change.


Professor Bettany Hughes will reveal during her new Channel 5 show tonight – “Egypt’s Greatest Treasures” - how archaeologists have uncovered the “discovery of a lifetime”. She told Express.co.uk exclusively: “It’s incredibly exciting that a sizeable void within the Great Pyramid of Giza has been found. “There still needs to be more investigation to explore and to work out exactly what this chamber is, why it was made, what it contains. “But it’s not impossible that this could turn out to be another burial place, maybe even a central, hidden burial space within the pyramid.

Bettany Hughe's Channel 5 show will air tonight at 9PM


“This is why history is so dynamic and exciting, there are always new possibilities waiting to be discovered and explored.” Dr Hughes explained to Express.co.uk how she went more than 30 metres below the pyramid to take a look. She said: “I’m claustrophobic so this was very, very tricky to pull off. “But truly a privilege to be so deep in the bedrock and to be so close to the work of the pyramid builders of 4,500 years ago. “I love Ancient Egypt because it tantalises us with information.” JUST IN: How ‘remarkable’ discovery revealed who really built Great Pyramid

Dr Hughes crawled through the tunnel on her hands and knees

Dr Hughes stumbled across the discovery after exploring a series of secret chambers below Khufu’s colossal structure. She said during the show: “Below the King’s Chamber, deep below the ground, under the base of the pyramid, is a little known secret. “Accessible only down this narrow 70-metre-long tunnel not normally open to visitors. “It’s one of the most eerie and unsettling places in all of Egypt. “This is where it gets really interesting, because you have to crawl from here on in. DON'T MISS

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Dr Hughes found out about a secret chamber

The Great Pyramid holds many mysteries

“Thousands of tonnes of rock were dug out by hand as the pyramid was being built above ground – an incredible task. “Oh my God, I’ve read about this place, but I’ve never been down here before. “No one is sure what this space was built for, perhaps the King’s original burial chamber? Abandoned after a change of plan? Or a decoy designed to fool tomb robbers looking for the real thing. This is amazing.” Dr Hughes explained how she was given special access to other parts of the pyramid. She continued: “A brand new discovery has been made that transforms our understanding of the whole structure.

Dr Hughes has her own Channel 5 show airing tonight

“At the end of the long passage hidden near the base of the gallery, lies a room that is out-of-bounds to most visitors. “It may hold the key to one of the pyramid’s greatest mysteries. “This is the Queen’s chamber, but it has nothing at all to do with the Queen. “But, if anything, there’s something even more exciting being stored here.” Dr Hughes explained how this unknown void was first discovered by archaeologists in 2017. However, they are still no closer to knowing what it contains.