A team of technicians from Leeds University in England have spent the last five years developing the “Djedi Project”. A venture which involves the use of robotics to unlock the engineering secrets to one of the worlds Ancient Wonders, the Great Pyramid of Khufu. The mission: to explore and determine the purpose of the two airshafts that lead from the Queen’s chamber in the great pyramid.
Previous examination of the airshafts have shown that they do not lead to the outer surface of the pyramid…Which many people thought a tad strange considering they were labelled as “airshafts”. Earlier missions in the 1990’s found that the southern shaft was blocked after 60m by a limestone door with copper handles. In 2002, a team succeeded in drilling through this door, only to find another door 20cm behind the one they’d just gone through. It was at this point that some experts started tearing their hair out in frustration, while others were left stunned and intrigued.
Zahi Hawass, Egyptologist and current Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, believes that
"With the help of the Djedi team, we hope to uncover the meaning of these airshafts by drilling through the doors that are blocking them……The team is hoping to gather as much evidence as possible to try to piece together the purpose of the airshafts, while at the same time ensuring that the Great Pyramid is not damaged in any way."
It is a pretty spiffy robot too I might add. Equipped with a micro snake camera; a mini ultrasonic device to determine the thickness and condition of stone walls; a mini beetle robot to explore more confined spaces; a precision compass; an inclinometer; and a Coring drill.
The only things missing are a laser and a computerised voice that shouts “excavate!” when the robot drills through the stone walls of the shaft.
But in all seriousness, this project isn’t just an excuse for a bunch of geeks and nerds to get together and have a party in the great pyramid. Experts believe that the project will help to answer questions about the remarkable engineering behind one of the most monumental structures of the Ancient World.
Dr Robert Richardson of Leeds University admits
"We have no preconceptions. We are trying to gain evidence for other people to draw conclusions…..We are preparing the robot now and expect to send it up before the end of the year. It's a big question, and it's very important not to cause unnecessary damage.”
I don’t know about you, but I for one will be following this study…mainly because I think robots are cool…and that a robot exploring the pyramids is so cool its subzero. But seriously, what if the great pyramid comes tumbling down like a load of bricks (excuse the pun) because of a beetle sized robot? Somehow I don’t think “Oops, my bad” will cover you for the total destruction of one of the most famous wonders of the world.
However, I don’t think the Pyramid will be in any real danger. Why? I’m glad you asked.
Reason 1: HAWASS
There is no way this project and others like it would go through if Hawass thought it was going to damage the pyramid. Hawass makes a solid living off Egyptian cultural heritage and let’s face it, he’s hardly going to shoot himself in the foot now is he? And the project is five years in the making. It cannot possibly take 5 years to make a robot. I'd say a good three of those years where taken up by risk assessment reports and other red tape matters.
Reason 2: MECHANICAL ENGINEERS = SMART
Well you would hope so wouldn’t you? Especially considering how much faith we have in them in other areas of life.
Reason 3: ALIENS DID NOT BUILD THE PYRAMIDSNot that this contributes to the issue at hand, I just thought I should mention it.
Check out these for more information:
http://www.drhawass.com/blog/djedi-team-robot
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/robot-to-explore-mysterious-tunnels-in-great-pyramid-2046506.html
http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-20013217-1.html
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