Hidden structures found under the Khafre Pyramid, new study claims

The internet has been abuzz about the Khafre Pyramid this week after researchers from the University of Pisa claimed to have found a massive underground structure using cutting-edge technology.

The technology used is Synthetic Aperture Radar Doppler Tomography, which we will discuss later in the article. First, we need to understand what these researchers claim and what its implications could be—and no, this doesn’t necessarily mean ancient Egyptians were in cahoots with aliens and lizard people from far away.

The analyses of dozens of tomographic SAR images obtained from different angles enabled the 3D reconstruction of the inside of the Pyramid of Khafre and deep beneath the surface of the plateau.

The researchers Corrado Malanga and Filippo Biondi claim to have found 5 identical structures called the “Zed structures” under the Khafre Pyramid, which are connected by geometric pathways. That’s not all—according to them, each of these structures has five levels with sloping roofs.

It gets more interesting as these columns are on top of 8 hollow cylindrical structures, which are surrounded by spiral pathways. And it still doesn’t end there; the cylindrical structures, in turn, are on top of two massive cubic structures measuring around 80 m (263 feet) on each side.

The structure reportedly extends approximately 2 km (1.2 miles) beneath the surface and spans the area beneath all three pyramids of the Giza Plateau complex.

According to mainstream Egyptology, the Giza pyramids were constructed as tombs for Pharaohs Khufu, Khafre, and Menkaure around 2500 BC, using techniques that likely involved ramps, sledges lubricated with water, and levers to move and position massive stone blocks.

“But the redundant mathematics in their construction, which include Pi, the golden ratio, and the speed of light, along with the testimony of today’s expert architects, suggests that the official story does not hold up,” said journalist Greg Reese.

“The massive underground structure revealed by the recent SAR data shows what appears to be a mechanical or functional system,” Greece continues.

If the structures are indeed real, their purpose remains open to interpretation. The geometric organization, multi-level design, and immense scale suggest that the subterranean complex may not have been a burial site in the traditional sense.

The presence of spiral pathways, hollow columns, and massive cubes could indicate a ceremonial, astronomical, or even energy-related function—concepts often explored in modern archaeology. Others might argue for a large-scale storage system, symbolic architectural mimicry, or even a forgotten aspect of ancient Egyptian statecraft.

There are several reasons why these claims have gained widespread attention and why many are questioning the researchers’ conclusions. The scale of the claims alone invites scrutiny, which is a natural part of the scientific process—especially when the implications challenge established understanding.

The first reason is that the paper is yet to be peer-reviewed and validated, meaning none of the claims have been confirmed by the scientific community so far.

The second is the technology used by the researchers. SAR Doppler Tomography is one of the two variants of SAR scan technology. Contrary to many claims made online, the technology used for the research does exist.

SAR scans come under two categories: the first is normal SAR scans, which use a moving platform that sends out electromagnetic pulses to produce high spatial resolution for mapping surfaces. This form cannot be used for such research, as the electromagnetic pulses just don’t penetrate deep enough into the surface to discover structures this far below the ground.

The SAR Doppler, which was used in the research, uses a different strategy. It has been tested for tomographic techniques using analysis of micro-movements or small seismic disturbances from the structure.

The technique was used with the help of proprietary software developed by Filippo Biondi himself, which uses SAR data to analyze these micro disturbances and create high-resolution images of structures under the Khafre Pyramid.

Although the technology is cutting-edge, it hasn’t had enough use cases to verify its accuracy. To the study’s credit, Egypt is a great place to apply such technology, as the geology is very uniform, and the lack of vegetation and near-surface water makes it an ideal location for the use of such technology.

The problem with vegetation and near-surface water is that they could cause differences in the subsurface readings and affect the final results.

The study in question used this SAR Doppler to analyze the micro-movement between the soil/rock and void in the subsurface, which is filled with air. According to most experts, the technology used is legitimate but is relatively new and needs more verifiable use cases to confirm its accuracy.

The researchers published a paper in 2022 confirming findings under the Pyramid of Giza using the same technology, which adds some validity to their claims.

Many researchers have pointed out that MDPI is a legitimate scientific journal but is, firstly, not very reputable in the scientific community, and secondly, it has at times been accused of prioritizing profit over the quality of its publications.

Experts have also been raising eyebrows at the press release itself, as there are no follow-up links to the release. The release was conducted in a local press conference and is expected to be available to the public in Italian and English soon.

The researchers did publish a translated version of their findings on Facebook along with their associate Trevor Grassi.

This research has generated considerable discussion, in part due to its use of relatively new imaging technology, making it natural for it to be questioned. However, none of the claims can be verified or denied until the study has been peer-reviewed.

If verified, the findings could represent a major discovery with the potential to reshape current interpretations of ancient Egyptian architecture and human history as a whole. Such a development would generate significant attention within the scientific community and spark renewed interest among alternative history proponents.

References:

¹ Synthetic Aperture Radar Doppler Tomography Reveals Details of Undiscovered High-Resolution Internal Structure of the Great Pyramid of Giza – Fillipo Biondi and Corrado Malanga – MDPI – Published on October 19, 2022 – https://www.mdpi.com/2072-4292/14/20/5231#

² SAR Scan of Khafre Pyramid Shows Huge Underground Structures – The Reese Report – March 18, 2025