One of the most iconic and awe-inspiring structures of the ancient world continues to mystify historians and archaeologists. This square-based pyramid, like most pyramids, has been thought to have just four triangular faces.
However, in a surprising turn, recent studies have shown that the one of the Seven Wonders of The World may actually not have four sides.
The Discovery That Changed Everything
For centuries, the Great Pyramid stood as the last remaining wonder of the ancient world, with its four triangular sides symbolizing the simplicity and elegance of ancient Egyptian engineering.
But in 1940, British Egyptologist Flinders Petrie made an observation that would spark a new line of inquiry.
While examining the monument under specific lighting conditions, he noticed a subtle, almost invisible indentation running down the center of each face.
This depression wasn’t immediately obvious and could only be seen from certain angles, especially from above.
The discovery suggested that the pyramid’s faces were not flat but slightly concave, making the Great Pyramid of Giza a unique structure in pyramid design.
The Eight-Sided Pyramid
As early as 1975, IES Edwards, a prominent Egyptologist, discussed the possibility of the pyramid’s concave faces in his book The Pyramids of Egypt.
He explained that the stone blocks used to construct the mausoleum were placed in such a way that they sloped inward slightly, creating a noticeable depression down the middle of each face.
Recent research, including a 2023 study published in Archaeological Discovery, has confirmed this feature and further refined our understanding of the pyramid’s shape.
In this study, Akio Kato, an academic researcher, agreed with Petrie and Edwards, noting that “The Great Pyramid at Giza is known to have an amazing character of concavity that each of its four faces is slightly indented along its central line, from base to peak.”
Kato explained also that the concave nature of the pyramid’s faces is so subtle that it only becomes apparent from an aerial view, which is why it had remained largely unnoticed until recent technological advancements allowed for more precise observations.
The Puzzle of Ancient Engineering
This discovery raises new questions about the ancient Egyptian builders’ understanding of geometry and construction.
The Great Pyramid’s concave shape suggests that the Egyptians had a sophisticated knowledge of architectural techniques that went far beyond what we had previously assumed.
The subtle curvature of the pyramid’s faces required an impressive level of precision, and it’s a testament to the ancient Egyptians‘ mastery of both craftsmanship and engineering.
An Ongoing Mystery
The use of concave geometry also implies that the builders had an advanced understanding of light and optics.
The indentations on the monument’s faces are most visible under certain lighting conditions, which suggests that the structure may have been designed not just for architectural beauty but also to interact with its environment in a specific way.
This theory opens up exciting possibilities about the deeper symbolic and functional purposes.
