Djedi Robot to enter the Great Pyramid of Khufu

A research team from the University of Leeds are set to discover secrets from Ancient Egypt using a specially designed robot. The tunnels the robot are set to explore have not been entered for over 4,500 years.

The team from Leeds are working alongside Egypt’s Supreme Council of Antiquities headed by Dr Zahi Hawass on the Djedi project – so called after the magician Khufu consulted when planning the pyramid. Famously, there are two main rooms in the pyramid – the King’s Chamber and the Queen’s Chamber, both of which have shafts leading to yet unknown destinations and with unknown purposes. Many attempts have been made to enter the shafts, however an attempt in 1992 found the tunnel in the shaft from the Queen’s Chamber blocked by a limestone door. This door was drilled through and opened in 2002, only to find a further door 20 centimetres later.

The Djedi robot has been developed to drive down the shaft and drill through the second set of doors to see what lies ahead. The robot has been designed with the intention of reaching the end of the shafts , with the possibility of meeting and drilling other doors along the way.

Dr Robert Richardson (Leeds University) states “We have no preconceptions. We are trying to gain evidence for other people to draw conclusions.” This is a prime example of using modern science and technology to further our knowledge of the ancient world. The robot is due to enter the Great Pyramid before 2010 is out, further information can be found at http://www.drhawass.com/blog/djedi-team-robot

Published: Sunday, 8th August 2010 by Adelle Kehoe