Where is Khufu? Looters, Legends, and The Lost Mummies of Giza

Deep inside the heart of the Great Pyramid of Giza, shrouded in shadows and mystery, lies a granite sarcophagus. Empty, silent, and imposing, it's the kind of relic that gives archaeologists chills. Why? Because for over 4,500 years, this seemingly ordinary sarcophagus has been at the centre of a debate as vast as the pyramid itself. Was it a tomb for Pharaoh Khufu, as tradition suggests? Or was the pyramid something entirely different?

The Sarcophagus of Secrets

The traditional story goes like this: the Great Pyramid, the largest of the Giza pyramids, was a tomb for Khufu, the mighty pharaoh of Egypt's Fourth Dynasty. The sarcophagus in the King's Chamber was meant to house his body for eternity, surrounded by unimaginable treasures. Yet, when explorers first breached the pyramid in antiquity, the chamber was empty. No mummy. No treasures. Just an eerie silence.

An inscription by Giovanni Belzoni, the first modern explorer of the Khafre pyramid. He found the burial chamber empty. (Jon Bodsworth)

Some say Khufu's body and treasures were stolen by looters long ago. Others argue that the pyramid was never meant to be his final resting place at all. Instead, it might have been a cenotaph, a symbolic monument to his power and connection to the gods. Then there are the wild theories: was it an astronomical observatory? A power plant? A portal to another realm? Okay, maybe not the last one, but you get the point.

The Missing Pharaoh

If Khufu wasn't buried there, then where? Nobody knows. Maybe his body lies in a hidden chamber deep within the pyramid, undisturbed for millennia. Or perhaps he's buried elsewhere, in a secret tomb that's yet to be discovered. Some even whisper that his burial plans were interrupted, leaving the Great Pyramid as an eternal mystery.

What we do know is that this colossal structure was built during Khufu's reign, around 2560 BCE, and took about 20 years to complete. That's a mind-blowing feat, considering they didn't have modern machinery. Just thousands of workers, lots of determination, and a bit of ancient Egyptian magic (or clever engineering, depending on whom you ask).

Clues from Ancient Texts

Fast forward to 2013, when archaeologists unearthed one of the most exciting pieces of evidence yet: the Papyrus of Merer. Found at Wadi al-Jarf, an ancient Red Sea harbour, this diary belonged to an overseer named Merer. It detailed the logistics of transporting limestone blocks from the Tura quarries to Giza for the pyramid's construction. Merer described his team's journey along the Nile, meticulously documenting their work and offering a rare glimpse into the lives of those who built the pyramid.

Khufu pyramid's original entrance [top-left], Robbers' Tunnel [middle-right]. (Hajotthu)

The papyrus isn't just about moving stones; it's a testament to the scale of Khufu's vision. It speaks of organization, planning, and the sheer human effort it took to create one of the world's most enduring monuments.

The Empty Necropolis

Khufu wasn't the only one who left behind mysteries at Giza. Surrounding the Great Pyramid are smaller pyramids and mastabas for queens, princes, and other members of the royal family. There's Queen Hetepheres I, Khufu's mother, whose tomb contained treasures but no mummy. Then there's the pyramid of Khafre, Khufu's son, and Menkaure, his grandson. Their burial chambers? Also empty.