A Picture Tour of the Great Pyramid of Giza - Part 6
Complete the tour with views of the Subterranean Chamber, the mysterious Well Shaft and Grotto, and a final close look at the enigmatic Coffer in the King's Chamber.
(14) Subterranean Chamber showing contour around the Pit and entrance doorway (upper left)
The Pit was 12 feet deep in 1838, but was dug deeper by the explorer Colonel Vyse in the hope of finding an outlet that would lead to a hidden chamber.
(14) The Western Half of the Subterranean Chamber
The Edgar brothers account of their visit to the pyramid in 1909 state that "In the unfinished floor of the subterranean chamber appears the large, squarish mouth of a deep vertical shaft. We had always to avoid walking too near its edge, for the rough uneven floor of the chamber is covered with loose crumbling debris".
(15) The Dead End passage in the Subterranean Chamber
In the south wall, opposite the entrance, is a low passage (about 2 1/2 feet square) which runs 53 feet before coming to a blind end.
(16) The Grotto and Well-Shaft
At the intersection where the ascending passage meets with the Grand Gallery is a hole which leads to a shaft (known as the well shaft) which connects with the descending passage below. This near vertical tunnel is about 3 feet in diameter. As it continues downward a grotto opens off the shaft. The shaft then continues downward to connect with the lower part of the descending passage.
(17) The Well-Shaft looking almost vertically upward from the bottom
The purpose of this well shaft remains a mystery.
(10) Close up of the Coffer in the King's Chamber
To end this tour, let us go back and look more closely at the most mysterious part of the Great Pyramid, the empty coffer in the King's Chamber. This beautiful granite shaped box was made from a solid block of chocolate-colored granite and is even harder than the granite walls of the King's Chamber. For thousands of years, many have wondered about its purpose. Ancient legend says that it came from Atlantis or even from America. It was never inscribed or decorated. Also, since it is too large to pass through the low passages leading into the King Chambers, it must have been placed in the chamber before the chamber was closed and passages sealed. The volume of the Coffer is equal to that of the Ark of the Covenant. It is 89.8 inches long, 38.7 inches wide and 41.2 inches high. The sides are close to 6 inches thick and the bottom 7 inches thick.
A Poem by Petrocchi
I ask'd of TIME: "To whom arose this high Majestic pile, here mouldering in decay?" He answer'd not, but swifter sped his way, With ceaseless pinions winnowing the sky.
To FAME I turn'd "Speak thou, whose sons defy The waste of years, and deathless works essay!" She heaved a sigh, as one to grief a prey, And silent, downward cast her tearful eye.
Onward I pass'd, but sad and thoughtful grown, When, stern in aspect, o'er the ruin'd shrine I saw OBLIVION stalk from stone to stone.
"Dread Power!" I cried, "Tell me whose vast design-" He checked my further speech, in sullen tone; "Whose once it was, I care not; now 'tis mine!"
— The poet Petrocchi, realizing the antiquity of the Great Pyramid penned the following lines regarding it (translation from the Italian by Charles Strong)
This ends the tour of the Great Pyramid. We hope you enjoyed it and will come back and visit again.