Scientists Baffled by Strange Structure Found Near Pyramids of Giza

They've never seen anything like it.

For millennia, Giza has been home to some of the most breathtaking structures ever built by man. This includes the Great Pyramid, designated as one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, along with a variety of other buildings and sites, including a cemetery adjacent to the pyramid complex. And while the tombs inside the pyramids are usually regarded as the most mysterious, the surrounding area holds plenty of secrets as well. 

Archaeologists in Egypt were investigating the vicinity when they discovered a massive L-shaped structure roughly 6.5 feet underground in the middle of Giza's western cemetery. Using electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) and ground-penetrating radar (GPR), the team used electrical currents to search for remains in an area that was empty above ground. The huge structure they found measures at least 33 feet in length. 

The scientists recently published their findings in the Archaeological Prospection journal. They determined that the L-shaped structure "seems to have been filled with sand, which means it was backfilled after it was constructed." The western cemetery is home to the burial grounds of royal family members and high-ranking officials, according to the team. Many of these tombs have above-ground rectangular structures with flat roofs known as mastabas. 

Still, more research needs to be done to determine just what the L-shaped structure is and whether it's part of a mastaba or something else entirely. One possible clue might be other L-shaped offering chapels located at Giza, though these are usually above ground. Study author Motoyuki Sato told Live Science that excavations of the structure are now underway to learn more about its origins and purposes, noting that "the shape is too sharp" for it to simply be a natural phenomenon. 

If you have a trip planned to the region, you can investigate the cemetery yourself for any clues.