Are There Massive Structures Under the Egyptian Pyramids?
By Jon Anderson
Researchers from Italy and Scotland have recently unveiled preliminary findings that suggest the existence of previously unknown subterranean structures beneath Egypt’s Giza Pyramid Complex. Using satellite-based Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) in combination with a proprietary imaging system, Professor Corrado Malanga (formerly of the University of Pisa), Armando Mei (Università degli Studi di Napoli), and Filippo Biondi (University of Strathclyde) claim their “Synthetic Aperture Radar Doppler Tomography” has revealed extensive underground features. These assertions have sparked widespread fascination online and drawn both intrigue and skepticism from the scientific community.
The Proposed Discovery
The researchers presented their findings in a March 15th press release, followed by a March 16th in-person briefing in Italy. According to their claims, a massive subterranean complex spans roughly 2 kilometers beneath the Giza Plateau, encompassing all three major pyramids. Their data suggests the presence of multi-level structures, interconnected passageways, and eight vertical cylindrical shafts—each surrounded by spiral ramps descending approximately 648 meters (2,100 feet) underground. At the bottom of these shafts, two large cube-shaped chambers were reportedly detected, each measuring 80 meters per side.
“When we magnify the images [in the future], we will reveal what can only be described as a true underground city,” said Corrado Malanga of the University of Pisa.”
“Improvement of the signal-to-noise ratio revealing the internal structure of the 5 Zeds, consisting of 5 horizontal levels and a sloping roof. Tomography with another cross-sectional line showing the presence of vertical structures located. Analysis of the structures above Belzoni's chamber: intensely colored spots can be observed, appearing in all tomographic images taken from different angles, corresponding to internal artificial structures.”
“As observed in the 3D model, below the ground level (ground zero) of the main structure, vertically aligned cylindrical structures extend for hundreds of meters beneath the Giza Plateau. Notably, eight of these structures, arranged in two parallel rows from north to south, descend to a depth of 648 meters, merging into two large cubic structures measuring approximately 80 meters per side.”
How SAR Technology Works
Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) is a remote sensing technology that emits microwave pulses from a moving platform—such as a satellite, drone, or aircraft—toward the Earth's surface. The system then receives the reflected signals, capturing data from multiple angles as the platform moves. This process synthesizes a large "virtual" antenna, allowing for the creation of high-resolution two- and three-dimensional images.
SAR is typically employed in fields such as geology, environmental monitoring, agriculture, and military reconnaissance. While it can penetrate surfaces like sand, soil, or ice, its depth is generally limited—usually up to 30cm in soil and up to 150m in ice, depending on the frequency and medium. For deeper subsurface exploration (hundreds of meters), technologies like ground-penetrating radar (GPR) are generally more appropriate. By itself, SAR lacks the capability to detect structures as deep as those described in the Giza findings.
The Doppler Twist
Interestingly, Malanga, Mei, and Biondi acknowledge SAR’s limitations in their 2022 paper, Synthetic Aperture Radar Doppler Tomography Reveals Details of Undiscovered High-Resolution Internal Structure of the Great Pyramid of Giza, published in the peer-reviewed journal Remote Sensing. They state:
“A problem with synthetic aperture radar (SAR) is that due to the poor penetrating action of electromagnetic waves inside solid bodies, the capability to observe inside distributed targets is precluded. Under these conditions, imaging action is provided only on the surface of distributed targets.”
The novel aspect of their approach lies in combining SAR with Doppler Tomography—a technique typically used in astrophysics to map gas flows in binary star systems. Doppler Tomography builds velocity maps by capturing frequency shifts in emitted waves from high-speed objects.
According to the team, their software converts radar electromagnetic signals into phononic information, enabling detection of millimetric vibrations and micro-movements within structures—movements that may be caused by natural seismic activity or other sources. These tiny motions, they argue, make it possible to penetrate deeper into objects and underground environments that would otherwise remain invisible.
Conceptual Fusion: SAR paired with Doppler Tomography
When integrated, SAR and Doppler Tomography could theoretically:
Map spatial structures through SAR imaging.
Map internal motion fields via Doppler analysis.
This would involve analyzing Doppler frequency shifts across multiple SAR passes or angles, similar to how astrophysicists reconstruct movement patterns from different perspectives. While conceptually intriguing, this method is highly experimental and not yet widely validated for archaeological purposes.
The Debate
Critics abound. Notably, renowned Egyptologist and former Minister of Antiquities Dr. Zahi Hawass dismissed the findings as “completely wrong.” He pointed out that extensive previous studies—using muon tomography, gravimetry, and conventional radar—have yielded no evidence of such vast underground complexes.
Still, skepticism should not be equated with dismissal. Scientific progress often relies on bold hypotheses followed by rigorous scrutiny. Archaeology, in particular, has a reputation for being slow to embrace new paradigms, even in the face of compelling data.
“I would love to know how the geometrically accurate CAD drawings were extracted out of the raw data, because they seem to represent a massive Tesla-like electromagnetic “earthquake machine.” But even without the CAD, I believe there is enough in the scans to warrant further investigation.”
While the researchers’ claims remain controversial, they have undoubtedly reignited public curiosity about the mysteries of ancient Egypt. The scientific community is justified in demanding further evidence, ideally through independent replication or physical excavation. Unfortunately, given current restrictions from Egypt’s Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, excavation seems unlikely in the near future.
For now, the world must wait—eagerly and skeptically—for additional data to shed light on what may lie hidden beneath one of history’s most enigmatic landmarks.
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About Jon
Local Healers founder, Jon Anderson, is a life long curiosity seeker, spiritual healer, creator, connector, and purveyor of all things positive. His 25+ year career as a designer and creative director has led him around the world and he currently calls Coeur d’Alene, Idaho home.
