During my recent conversations with researcher Jean-Pierre Houdin he has brought it to my attention that the Pyramid Rover, sent up the north QC shaft during the National Geographic-sponsored investigations, found that after the first kink in the shaft it then travelled for approximately 8 metres in a north-westerly direction before bending once again back towards due north. It's final total length was found to be very similar to that of the QC south shaft, with another 'door' at the end. Anyone who wants to verify this should obtain a copy of the 2002 documentary 'Into the Great Pyramid' from National Geographic. The relevant animation is at the end.

Jean-Pierre also has some interesting ideas about the shafts which he will reveal in due course. They are related to his views about the construction of the GP (see here). In the meantime he explains the bend in the north QC shaft as being necessitated by the wide trench that would have been above the Grand Gallery during construction when it was being used as part of the counterweight system for bringing up the largest granite blocks.

Jean-Pierre further pointed out that the east-west line shown in Figure 27 of G:TT was in the incorrect place, being too far to the south.

As a result I have redrafted this figure as below.

Ian Lawton

April 2004

THE KING'S AND QUEEN'S CHAMBER SHAFTS VIEWED FROM ABOVE

(prepared with the kind assistance of Rudolf Gantenbrink and Jean-Pierre Houdin)