Inside ‘Egypt’s Area 51’ sealed off for decades just 3 miles from Giza pyramids | World | News
The Pyramids of Giza stand in the Egyptian desert as one of the most incredible examples of ancient architecture and the only survivor of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Every year, millions of tourists from around the world flock to the UNESCO World Heritage site (15.7 million by 2024, according to some reports) to catch a glimpse of the complex. But few people are aware that just three miles away lies a mysterious but no less remarkable place.
Zawyet El Aryan, called Egypt’s Area 51, is located between Giza and Abusir and is also home to an ancient necropolis containing two large pyramid complexes. Italian archaeologist Alessandro Barsanti first excavated this site in the early 20th century and revealed an incredible T-shaped pit carved into solid limestone, almost 30 meters deep and lined with massive granite blocks. In the center of one of the rooms is a large, oval-shaped granite tub that, Mr. Barsanti said, bears traces of an unknown substance that has since been lost to history.
However, World War I and Mr. Barasanti’s death in 1917 meant that for decades almost no one knew of its existence as the army sealed off the area and used it as a base; hence its new nickname, Egypt’s own Area 51. Access to the pyramids has been restricted since 1964.
Many Egyptologists believe that Zawyet El Aryan was designed as a pyramid that was never completed, although no superstructure was built over the pit.
To this day, the true purpose of the site remains a mystery. However, the graffiti discovered inside contains the word “Seba”, which some researchers interpret as the ancient Egyptian term meaning “gateway to the stars”.
The Tier Pyramid is believed to have been built during the reign of Pharaoh Khaba in the Third Dynasty and dates back to 2670 BC. While its core remains largely unexplored, its surroundings boast large mastabas believed to have served as residences for high-ranking officials.
The Unfinished Northern Pyramid, sometimes called the Pyramid of Baka or Bikheris, is believed by some archaeologists and Egyptologists to date from the early or middle period of the 4th Dynasty, dated to 2613-2494 BC. However, the true identity of its builder has never been determined. One of the interesting aspects of this building is the presence of many inscriptions written in black and red ink in the room and the descending staircase.
The Zawyet El Aryan area is surrounded by a total of five cemeteries dating back to the 1st Dynasty, 2nd Dynasty, late 3rd Dynasty, 18th Dynasty and the Roman Period. Of these cemeteries, only those dating to the end of the 3rd Dynasty contain large tombs, and of these, there are four adobe mastabas (a rectangular structure with a flat roof). It is thought that this was also expected from the necropolis surrounding the pharaoh’s pyramid; The large tombs belong to the royal family and palace officials.
600 ft north of the Layer Pyramid is a massive mastaba known today as “Mastaba Z500”, containing eight marble bowls inscribed with the serekh (hieroglyphics) of king Khaba.
Today, excavations are not permitted at Zawyet El Aryan, meaning little progress can be made in understanding its significance.
