The Unsolved Mysteries of the Broken Pyramid at Meidum, Egypt

[@UnchartedX]

Part 2 of my investigation into Meidum, and many thanks to one of my patrons Stephanie for creating the great new logo! Coming as a design in the merch store soon. Leave a comment and let me know what you think about this site. Keith Hamilton was kind enough to leave me a comment on my website, and if you're looking for more in-depth exploration of the details of the Meidum pyramid you can't do better than his excellent 'laymans guide' to the topic, found here: www.academia.edu/32410244/The_Meidum_Pyramid Please consider supporting the channel via the value-for-value model, all the details are available at unchartedx.com/support .

[@6point8esspcee68]

Top notch, Ben Hey.....you mentioned someone drilled into and used an endoscope to examine an upper chamber. Who, and when was that done?

[@pgtmr2713]

The flu for a few weeks? Have you considered it could be caused by exposure to mold? Glass? What if there were enough glass to light the inside of the pyramid/s that has since frosted up too much to be useful. Lighting through a seam or vein of glass. Not likely, just a thought. Or maybe heat caused glass to form from sand.

[@redmonkey3556]

I know the papers you are reading labeled the structures temples or tombs but I wish you would not use the word temple so much, Its best to use the word structure since we still have no idea what there original use was and its very important to remind ppl that no tombs or momies where found in this pyramide and the Giza ones, lets not fall into the lazy narrative of archaeologist, TY for the video keep up the good work :)

[@UnchartedX]

@@6point8esspcee68 It was in 1999, done by Dormion and Verd'hurt

[@UnchartedX]

@@TheGreatPyramid its all buried today

[@conorduggan6682]

I can see why you have so much respect for Petrie, the man seemed to be motivated by the pursuit of knowledge rather than the usual hollow trappings of social or material ambitions.

[@postercollection2816]

it's refreshing that you go into the nitty gritty of everything without being boring...your research is 5 stars, well done!!!!!!!!

[@dreyn7780]

He never mentioned the decorative banding around it. Why would you build a hidden worship section if joe blow could walk on top of the pile of sand and look down on you? Talk about stupid idiots.

[@postercollection2816]

@@dreyn7780 what's the timeline for the banding? I didn't noticed...

[@dreyn7780]

@@postercollection2816 it's right in the middle of the top section. You're Looking at it.

[@JasonP6339]

It tickles me that Ben thinks he needs to apologize for being a little "late"on releasing another in a long line of wonderful, extremely long, and in-depth videos... Literally one of the best hidden gems on KZbin, full stop. You never need to apologize my man... just putting this much work into each and every video is all the excuse you'll ever need.

[@3John-Bishop]

I like the fact that he doesnt add loud background music to 'entertain' us.

[@74sampson]

@@3John-Bishop I totally LOVE that and 2nd your opinion.

[@annewitkowski7586]

I appreciate the people who go to places and show them in non-tourist-bureau ways, as I am not robust enough to go.

[@wyllowraven]

I've been there, inside the pyramid at Meidum (also called the Tower Pyramid), and also in the Red pyramid and two of the pyramids at Giza. You have to have a degree of flexibility and physical fitness, for sure! I've been inside Mastaba 17, too! That one, you have to crawl on your hands and knees at some points, and then squeeze through a hole, flip around, and go down a 6 foot ladder! It's worth it to see that beautiful sarcophagus at the end!

[@3John-Bishop]

@@wyllowraven was it real hot and humid inside them?

[@wyllowraven]

@@3John-Bishop Well, it was in January when I was there, about 14 years ago, so it wasn't really hot at that time of year. I will say, for sure, it's claustrophobic in all the pyramids and tombs! If you don't like being in small places, you might be uncomfortable.

[@CosmicClaire99]

Same here @anne witkowski I was watching his video on Macchu Picchu earlier and I'd get vertigo going up the paths, or claustrophobic in the pyramid tunnels. I look forward eventually to 3d virtual reality visits!

[@Polyvalent]

Didn't notice anything wrong with your voice and don't ever worry about frequency of uploads. I'll always appreciate long-form quality uploads over frequent uploads all saying the same thing. Send your message in your way! If it's important enough, it'll be worth the wait!

[@JohnnyRebKy]

Polyvalent I agree. The longer the better!! I’d watch if it were 6 hours long. I actually tend to skip short videos I see on KZbin and use the 20 mins or longer search filter. So I don’t even look at short videos most the time

[@danndeelion]

Totally agree. I binge watched these for days!

[@mini30coupe]

Thank you for your ability to remove all the regular filters applied to media these days. You have crisp, clean presentations.

[@devodavis6454]

My main takeaway from this is the fact that the "rough hewn tunnels" I see under many monuments may in fact be perfectly-joined blocks that have eroded. The joints are clearly straight and tight here in Meidum, this cannot be debated. They are blocks, at least here at this site. Now i'll be looking for those blocks in all the tunnels I explore via the old interwebs. That was brand new for me, as was the bit about possible sealed chambers first seen in 2019 via an endoscopic camera. I started my interest in ancient Egypt in approximately 1968, when my Aunt Thelma started giving me her National Geographic magazines. It's hard to even explain what 'brand new' means to a guy like me. It was... thrilling.

[@panchopuskas1]

Just come back to watch this again after nearly a year and I still find it fascinating......thanks again for posting.....

[@JohnnyRebKy]

Well my bedtime has just extended another 40 mins lol

[@bromthyrant3391]

same here

[@batican8367]

Me too.

[@dreyn7780]

So what do I do with the camp fire I have been setting up?

[@czarduhaylungsod8554]

Lol! Same here!

[@petejung3122]

Yep. Same here.

[@hannibalbarca4140]

Number one channel on this subject by far

[@hannibalbarca4140]

@David Skreiner no, thats why i like this channel

[@MrArcheopteryx]

Great show Ben! Flat, polished stonework (looks vitrified) at the entrance, and unfinished, merely cut to fit further down. Feels really old and interrupted work. Petrie would be proud of you. These pioneers had a great sense of observation and a perfect grammar. You're that way too Ben. It's always a pleasure!

[@JeSsSe66]

That glass pane embedded in that stone seems like quite a significant anomaly. Did you ever find out more about this?

[@EridanuS86]

I also found at Malta a similar glass like material embedded in the limestone in Valetta, at the base of the fortress. At Gozo in Hagar Kim neolithic temple, there is an ancient metal thing embedded in the megalithic stone slab.

[@dreyn7780]

Humans refer to this kind of stuff as being gem stone material and fossils.

[@antonioleivaperez1930]

Maybe it's one off the materials extracted from the corners of the megalithics walls around the world!

[@gp123lIlI]

Geopolymer

[@2010stoof]

@@gp123lIlI 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@GtheMVP]

Dude, I love the sound effects while reading out Petrie's account. It's those extra details you focus on that make your work special. Keep it up man, I always look forward to a new vid!

[@lutze5086]

Dude is adding those stoned little touches

[@fcmacken]

I am not a geologist Ben, but I would suspect that the surface damage to the blocks 22:07 to these passageways was caused by being underwater. Typical of damage in ancient sewer systems where limestone was used. This further increases the age of this site too! Frank M.

[@teresitawirthmueller7943]

It is a logic assumption...all the Sahara was underwater in the past, so all the pyramids have some damage on their outer linings...this means all are much much older ! That is why there are no mention of them by the Egyptian hieroglyphs...so who knows who built them..

[@burtpanzer]

Exactly, and I really don't know squat about Archaeology or Geology, but the evidence indicates what you two are saying. When I see the kind of erosion at the base of the Sphinx and whale bones being found deep in the Sahara, combined with the level of technology Ben has shown us and that literally nothing else exists of their world that wasn't cut from stone, tells me this was here long before Younger Dryas. 25,000 is nothing... did you know an Ice Age can last 50 million years?

[@wiretamer5710]

There is nothing logical about this assumtion. There are many examples of Egyptians working around PRE-EXISTING faults in stones. Sometimes they bothered to make repairs, other times the work remained unfinished. And wind erosion can look like water erosion.

[@swingshift.]

​@@wiretamer5710also it was buried most of the time since the late Egyptians except the head why didn't it have some of the same erosion

[@francavilla3386]

Why do I love these videos so much! This one kept me up until 3am and with eyes wide open. Thanks for great content!

[@tangent2658]

Perhaps check with a geologist how long it would take the interior walls to "exfoliate" in such a manner if the original dimensions of the stone are known, akin to the weathering of the sphinx enclosure. I imagine you would have to consider the environment over the lifetime of the monument, weather conditions and concealment over long periods of time. There may be a smoking gun scenario regarding its dating, in this.

[@scottbrady7499]

was just checking what i said the other day, 'cause of some "thumbs up." what exactly does YOUR comment here mean? rather oblique, it kinda' sounds like unchartedX doesn't have you Completely Convinced...

[@tangent2658]

@@scottbrady7499 I'm totally convinced about very few things in life. This is an area with great speculation and possibilities and I'm open to them. I merely offered a suggestion to explore some of these possibilities better.

[@tangent2658]

@MyClumpy Cum Do you have any insight?

[@univac2000]

I suppose that much exfoliating of limestone would take way too long without having been submerged in water, possibly salt water.

[@jimleane7578]

@@univac2000 I have no answers just more things to consider. How high above current sea level is Meidum. Would those passages have been built when the water table was lower. When was this area lush forest with healthy rainfall. How much water could have been pumped out for "irrigation" to lower the water table in event of rapid climate change. Rotting plant matter is acidic, leeching plus limestone equals salt. Brain hurt☺

[@joezeit7391]

I love your reading out of Petrie's accounts, backed with real video of the sites he explored. The Broken Pyramid at Meidum is by far the oldest, the prototype for others to be based on which were greatly improved. Once up and running, they could focus on the real work that lay ahead. This was performed by beings that know how to use the planets natural resources combined with technology to build what is needed to live here on earth, or any other place in the universe.

[@dreyn7780]

The builders died at age 30 and never saw any completed building. This is the elephant in the room problem you're refusing to acknowledge.

[@azoniarnl3362]

​@@dreyn7780Just because someone put their name in the temple does not mean the piramide was too, with this logic im responsible for building several buildings just because I put my name on them...

[@tellimhacim4903]

I like watching that antique footage. It's a time machine of sorts.

[@steve-o6413]

Our "Eyes" are Time Machines in a sense, for the mere fraction of a second it takes the Light to reflect off a object and give us a Image is a look back in History. Imagine a Star Billions of Light years away...

[@jennvalenzuela5819]

@@steve-o6413 nope.. no way man

[@steve-o6413]

@@jennvalenzuela5819 good choice I don't believe in Time either, that's a practical choice over the the instantaneous function over the Wave...

[@steve-o6413]

Jenn you just screwed Einstein's Theory of Time...

[@dougg1075]

It is a time machine.

[@MrPhuselton]

your words easy to understand, you do not remble on and on and on. your presentation is to the point and enjoyable. please do more. thank you.

[@dano1307]

Its hard for me to imagine a world where people could achieve such great things and not have realized how to make a wheel...

[@tegbolddos]

Well who says they didn't have the wheel... the Stone saw they were using was surely a wheel.

[@dano1307]

@@tegbolddos pretty much all the history books and researchers say that

[@BSIII]

@@tegbolddos official narrative says the Egyptians didn't have the wheel until the Hyksos introduced it to them.

[@Peak_Stone]

But I saw wheels and a carraige in a hieroglyph yesterday in a video. Annoyingly the narrator called it a sled.

[@21LAZgoo]

yeah, as well as those precision made vases and jars made out of the hardest types of stone some of which are a 9 on the mohs scale like corundum 2nd to only diamond which is a 10

[@AncientHistoryCriticisms]

Great presentation Ben, I learned a lot from this video. Agreed, deserves more attention and research. Thank you as always.

[@RurikLoderr]

Here's the part that blows my mind about the whole π thing, the pyramids are using the version that is more correct than π. See, we use π (the ratio of the diameter of the circle to it's circumference) because it was easier to measure the diameter than it was to measure the radius, even though it is the radius that is used to make the circle. It is an error that has not been corrected for several hundred years even though many mathematicians have considered it. This isn't to say that π is wrong, but rather that there is a more correct version of the circle constant that more accurately depicts the circle constant. Using the ratio of the radius to the circumference is actually the more correct version of the circle constant and it's use cleans up a lot of weird factors that keep showing up in physics and math in general. It makes trigonometry easier and shows relationships that aren't easy to intuit when using π. I find it interesting that the pyramids use this more correct version of the circle constant, because it suggests it was deliberate and not merely us looking for patterns due to bias.

[@DocBree13]

10:12 He states that 7:44 is the ratio of a specific radius to a circumference. This is not a calculation of pi, which is the ratio of a circle’s radius to its diameter, and is closely approximated by 7/22. In this case, the circle he posits has a radius of 7, so its circumference is 2 pi r = 2 x 3.14 x 7 = 43.96. This is exactly the same answer you’d get using the proposed change to 2 pi, or tau, which = 6.28. Circumference = tau r = 6.28 x 7 = 43.96. The proposed change has nothing to do with the numbers yielded by the calculations, because they are exactly the same. The change to tau is proposed to support a more organic understanding of circle geometry, and easier calculations using radians and calculus. For example, a circle has 2 pi radians, but one tau radian - a half circle has one pi radian, but ½ tau radian - more intuitive.

[@RurikLoderr]

@@DocBree13 That's kind of my point actually. More correct doesn't mean the other is wrong. Tau is more intuitive and is based on the correct assumptions about how a circle is actually made. I'm not, and did not, say that the actual numbers are wrong.

[@Buckdawg]

Live streams after video release is a great idea man. Looking forward to discussing your excellent points and research as it's released. Keep up the great work Ben.

[@dougg1075]

Amazing how guys like Petrie who had no formal Egyptian archeological training but created it were taken as gospel but when someone today comes along today with an open mind are taken as charlatan and uneducated hacks. Rock on brother

[@johnallen4863]

I am a subscriber to this channel and think this young man has done wonderful work that is well within keeping of his more famous contemporaries and should be lauded for his attempts to bring fresh perspectives to all of the subjects he covers. Inquisitive, informative, extremely well presented, enjoyable to watch and always a fascinating subject.

[@dreyn7780]

AND forgets to notice What's on the outside of the building. Clear evidenced he's just retelling lies and is unwise.

[@dreyn7780]

There clearly is a deliberately rough banding around the top which took YEARS to install. But he's saying that was all a mistake to be covered up. Really? A decade worth of mistakes in the HOT midday SUN in the middle of nowhere!? Surely you can't be serious!?

[@neilmcnulty6424]

Referring to swirls and shapes you mentioned that are present in the stone blocks, they look like fossils of leaves and shells at first glance. Not shown long enough.

[@kittenisageek]

I was thinking the same thing. My family and I have collected a number of leaf fossils, and often they look a lot like that.

[@steve-o6413]

Having not seen a Blow-up of the Swirls it's difficult to say some Ancient Swirls could be depicted as Wells some rotating Clockwise some Counterclockwise. But even fossils hold this Geometric Pattern. Think of the word Well what does it mean to You...

[@tinymetaltrees]

Exactly what I thought. The swirl in particular looked like a snail shell in cross section. I’d imagine leaves at that angle would be rarer to see , but maybe many more are present at different angles and just look like lines. Some fossils would make perfect sense in sedimentary limestone, right?

[@spiderlady1943]

I agree - limestone does indeed harbour fossils under certain conditions. I hope this is picked up by unchartedx.

[@steve-o6413]

If it was a fossil amazing Technology was used to capture it on the exposed surface, no fluke if several were seen...

[@g_kub]

Dude, you have the best collection of substantial footage from Egypt and Peru/Bolivia that I've been able to find anywhere in ~8 years of periodically obsessing over this stuff. Way more than anything I've found in my university database, in any documentary, or anywhere else. Any plans to check out the insane stuff in India/Pakistan/Cambodia/Sri Lanka/Indonesia/China? You really outdo yourself. I've watched 90% of your videos within 2 weeks 😂 and it's all been top-notch. When I'm no longer the poster boy for student debt gone wrong, I'll get you back on your value-for-value gig. For now I'm sharing your content in my circles. Cheers!

[@virgiljjacas1229]

Man ... !!! As always congratulations for quotation from Petrie and Ponanski . I did grow up reading and enjoying those unique photos of Andean ruins BEFORE many of them were " moved for repairs and re - arrangements ". Others just disappear.

[@scottbyers9258]

Oh boy oh boy been looking forward to this since I got the notification finally able to enjoy the whole thing. Absolutely love this channnel!

[@dennisthomas4848]

Best KZbin channel yet. Subscribed. Keep up the good work!

[@jonathanmatthews8862]

For anyone wondering why they call them tombs this comes from a combination of sources. Most notably the Ancient Egyptians mention pyramids as part of burial rites in other works. As well, there are hundreds of pyramids in Sudan (which is often called Nubia in ancient times) that are all tombs. These are much smaller pyramids that were built much later but they are undoubtedly tombs in that you find sarcophagi in them (most of them have been raided so not many bodies). It is a very large leap to use that as conclusory evidence of the purpose of the ancient pyramids; however, because the internal layout, function, and design of the Nubian pyramids is very different. Because the two cultures were so parallel in ancient times (like the Greeks and the Romans) it is more likely that the reverence for the pyramids as sacred eventually led to using them as a model for a mausoleum. The ancient Egyptians also often built tombs or memorials around the pyramids (but never inside of them). The same pharaoh who supposedly built the great pyramid actually buried his mother in a tomb at the Giza plateau. I think he did that because the pyramids were already there. As further evidence of that; her tomb and sarcophagus were decorated. Why would you decorate the tomb of your mother but not the tomb of the actual pharaoh.

[@wishgodgirl1903]

Excellent video, hard to find subjects that haven’t been reported to death... I’ll be checking out a lot more. Egypt has been my favorite subject for my whole life !!!

[@vohiii]

Amazing video. I cant get enough of Egypt videos. Love the HD footage from all those mysterious places.

[@EMurph42]

I enjoyed watch you twitch...? I like putting it that way. I couldn’t comment, but I want you to know how much i love:1) the music 2)the opening (its like I’m traveling there, its so fun!) 3)Old footage, photos, diagrams, maps & so much quoting. These videos are all masterpieces with attention to detail and really lovely editing. The hard work is noticed! Keep up the awesome

[@massimosquecco203]

I've been inside Sneferu's Red Pyramid 18 years ago, my memories are blurring and fading away. Did you make a video about it? Are you going to make something about it? If you did or will do I'll be extremely grateful: I m a huge fan of yours...

[@massimosquecco203]

PS wood= C14 analysis! Did somebody take the time to do it? Does somebody Know? Petrie was great but was busy in Maidum circa 150 years ago. Time for new analytic tech with the same of his: approaching the real History of humankind.

[@DaDa-kf4vp]

I'd love for you do a more comprehensive video on the "mythical" extended Egyptian timeline. You've mentioned that they don't distinguish between the pharoes we accept as once existing and those that preceded them on the record but which we discount as never having existed. Great vid man, as always.

[@Allworldsk1]

This is just unbelievably fascinating. I wonder how old these structures really are? I wonder what was going on when these structures were being built. All of the amazing megalithic structures around the world. All of the unexplainable time frames and questions we have. I would give anything to be able to know the truth about what really happened back in the past and where these structures actually came from who built them and why. Thank you so much for your work and bringing this to the public. Fascinating beyond belief

[@mattbrown5511]

I give all respect for saying "I don't Know" and articulating that Egyptologists are basing much on speculation and dogma. peoples have been building and rebuilding on older areas for the entirety of humanity. It is amazing how much "technology" has been lost through the ages.

[@iambyrdman]

20:59. Wait, what? Salt? Where did that come from? More on that please... Thanks for all your precious time!!!

[@gwildor]

Fantastic work as usual Ben. Fantastic. Greetings from home 🇦🇺

[@nofx77j3]

Awesome vid. I watched it at least 10x over last week

[@danndeelion]

Again, every time I see your videos pop up I give you a thumbs up because they are always so well done!! I've been waiting for part 2 of the Meidum pyramid for a while now and was happy to see it! I had a really strong feeling that if this pyramid did connect to the great pyramid in some way that there would be tunnels underneath it in the bedrock - it seems to be a reoccurring theme. I hope that one day this pyramid gets excavated fully but I feel another 100 years will have to go by before the Egyptian government has the funding/desire to really delve into their countries history. You are definitely doing Petrie proud and reviving his work!

[@outcastoffoolgara]

Thank you, food for thought and it sure looks like a mystery and worth much more sophisticated scientific technique.

[@iang1]

Fabulous video, love the point of view walk through shots. Glass embedded in the internal wall and the weird teardrop shapes... intriguing to say the least

[@baseddepartment4802]

i just watched your video on Sacsayhuaman and i thought of something i was wondering your opinion. I have an idea for you to think about on the Hana Pacha the oldest of the rock carving. ok here what I was thinking my father owned an iron welding shop and when I was young he taught me how to weld. So he basically gave me scrap steel and a stick welder he showed me how to weld 2 pieces together and he said practice doing what I just showed you on this pile. So when my father came back and hour later I had this big thing all welded together which I thought was like a masterpiece and he was like I just wanted you to weld pieces together to practice. My point being that maybe the reason there is areas that make no sense on what they were doing and that some seem to be cuts out of cuts is that some of it was practicing maybe even something like my dad did maybe some one gave the new person a pile of rocks or an area to practice on and since they were learning they just made randomness because every time I see Hana Pacha that's what it looks like and in some places I see were it goes from random and not done perfect to being done with a purpose and amazing looking I hope this makes sense and that you get to read this I really like the work you do please keep it up I get a lot of enjoyment out of learning about Egypt and South America Ancient past and what you say and think makes a lot more sense then what I was taught in school and what is said by the mainstream please keep it up .You are very appreciated by many many people thank you. thank you for reading.

[@przybyla420]

Makes sense until you find inferior areas in prestigious places, and using expensive materials. Or the third rate graffiti hieroglyphs on perfectly machined boxes (or whatever they are lol)

[@seankellycrypto]

hi ben. did anyone ever date the wooden beams encased in the floor and walls at the lower levels of Meidum? Organic material gives pretty good accuracy in dating...

[@Comakino]

Sean Kelly seems not but commenting in case someone posts an update

[@TheHumanMass]

i seen that as well

[@greghelms4458]

Love this channel. Ancient Egypt fascinates me deeply.

[@astrobat81z45]

Exellent as always Ben,very informative well presented,thanks

[@johnnelson9855]

Excellent. Thanks for making it available to everyone. Good job on your video of the passages and chambers.

[@MrMazza4321]

Really great part 2! So so interesting, can't Wait until your next 👍

[@ronaldvankerkwyk8293]

Great stuff, well presented. Certainly leaves me seriously wanting to see it for myself. Keep on.

[@hens93]

Another great video Ben! Always excited to watch your content, very well presented. 👌

[@murrayfranklyn84]

Thanks for the video Ben, so much work, but just great for us.

[@yannbiron4593]

Another excellent one Ben, this site is very fascinating and intriguing to say the least. I mean, from the interior of the pyramid that defenetly looks like a poor attempt imitation to the Mastaba 17 and the high quality craftsmanship buried under it, it's certainly not an easy puzzle to solved. What's easy to see though, is that once again the oldest constructions are the most advanced... My hat's off to the late Great Flinders Petrie, his impressive & monumental work is absolutely priceless. Thank you Ben, you're the man! 👊

[@mayflowerlash11]

This video is the best of have seem of UnchartedX. It is accompanied by balanced comment which states facts but also speculated on the origins of the building.

[@dreyn7780]

Not once does he mention the band of decorative stone on the outside. It's not the inside of stuff that's been stolen or lost. The builder was skilled enough to cut smooth edges AND rough decoration.

[@coolxjl]

I do not believe this is "inferior quality". Despite the "rough" (damaged) surfaces in the passages and chambers, if you look at the joints, just like all other megalithic works, there are no gaps! Something happened to this pyramid, I think it was Hakym Aywan who said, this pyramid exploded. Also the question is why were the passages it "saturated in salt"? Possibly lower sections were submerged under salt water at some point in the past? It's fascinating what happened to this pyramid, but there is nothing to suggest this was an inferior quality pyramid, all I see is massive external and internal damages.

[@crazyrussianbot8012]

very beautiful video, almost like going there myself (not really tho, I know). I watch this after Ancient Architects' video about mastaba 17, where he theorizes, based on some evidence, that Meidum was built by the living god Osiris, a former King of lower Egypt, who was buried in Mastaba 17. thank you for your beautiful videos!

[@Angie-vf2jp]

Loved the sound effects of wind and falling stone really brought his story to life.

[@TheSupershoz]

so yeah...it appears phase transition of elements was the intention in some.. consider really big pressure cooker...metal would fail...however stones qualities could withstand pressure, heat and help with the acoustic resonance for compression ....and just moving mass....great vid Ben

[@StephiSensei26]

"A Transitional Test Site" would be my guess too. How many test models did we have to make before we could fly? The corse features of the corbeled chamber seem to reveal a "hurried" quality, not interested in the polished finish of the Great Pyramid. And, the main material appeared to be (from the video) limestone, and very little if any granite at all, as if it were not worth the investment quite yet. Just a thought. Thanks Ben for the intriguing material.

[@johannwolf1]

Fantastic. I don't remember hearing about this site, but now I must experience it. Nice work.

[@kevinhickey2617]

Fantastic video. Just great content. The footage you have compiled gives most of us a window in to the ancient past. This is priceless. I love your insight and I feel YOU focus on the important aspects of these sights. AMAZING!!!!!

[@UnchartedX]

Thanks mate :)

[@davidrensi737]

Excellent delivery of facts with great vid and questions needed to think about!

[@Pabloworldwide]

Thanks brother. I hope you feel much better soon. I had not heard of Petrie prior to watching your fantastic videos and since then I have embarked on a research journey. WOW, what a journey it has been thus far. They (?) really do like "burying" Petries work in the History books.

[@johnmqueripel2367]

When you look at the internal passages and chambers how was it possible to work in underground in the heat, in the dark and without ventilation? Obviously it is not possible, there simply had to be artificial light and some form of ventilation. The rough stone work simply emphasises the incredible work of the high quality stuff, which if properly studied by modern engineers would be said to challenge anything we could achieve today. The multiple chambers and passageways never seem to make any sense, it would be interesting to see a schematic layout.

[@chronicawareness9986]

Perhaps the climate was different

[@johnmqueripel2367]

@@chronicawareness9986 It was, but not sure how that makes a lot of difference

[@mikev4621]

The chambers were created in the open air, concurrently with whatever level the whole pyramid was at the time

[@midumi6998]

شرفتنا في قريتنا الحبيبه وكل التقدير لك😚 Our balcony in our beloved village and all appreciation to you😚

[@chrisstahl2653]

Thank you for the video. I wanted to go there when I was in Cairo, but didn't manage. I think this Pyramid is as fascinating as the famous ones.

[@tomhutchins7495]

If this was a later emulation, it still managed some mind-boggling megalithic structure. Whoever built this still had some incredible skills

[@CharlieBubbles32]

A new subscriber to your channel and playing catch up with all the videos. Each watch leaves me wanting more and full of questions! Thoroughly enjoyable and such wonderful content compared to a lot of KZbin sites, thank you.

[@natek1993]

Thanks Ben for another fantastic video. Keep up the great work.

[@scottyfox6376]

I've always felt that Dr Zawi Hawas was acting as a "Gatekeeper" on the subject of Eygyptology. Archeology & research seemed to be restricted as to fit his particular views on the subject. To me his whole attitude appeared to be motivated by money & fame.

[@steve-o6413]

Many Ivy Leaguers share his same Qualities...

[@borgkube]

Sad to say, but I can't wait for Dr Hawass to retire. I believe that then there are many wonderful things waiting to be discovered. Dr Hawass' methods are vere self serving.

[@LanceHall]

Your videos are amazing. The monument explorations are better than what I saw on PBS as a kid.

[@marekf7605]

if there is wood used in original construction we an carbon date it, so what is date from carbon dating ?

[@ashmash1934]

My thoughts exactly?!

[@DemWaifus]

wood from the Meidum tomb of Snefera was 4802 +- 210 BP, same wood dated again for 4120 +- 15 BP

[@teppo9585]

@@DemWaifus Well its not high quality so thats fine. The high quality stuff such as serapeum sargophages I´d be disappointed if they were dated 4500 years ago.

[@matthewryder569]

First thing that came to mind. Carbon date that sh**!!

[@steve-o6413]

lol a big Word "IF" ...

[@anttihilja]

The drop shapes in the lime stone might be fossilized leaves.

[@420darthbong]

Yep I got a rock with a bunch that split in half in a gravel crusher jaw.

[@lutze5086]

Fossils but not leaves

[@Eigil_Skovgaard]

How can you exclude that the greater pyramids have a step-core too? That would provide a much more stable foundation for the casing - including the filler necessary to reach a constant gradient.

[@jefftaylor1905]

Ben, On Meidum builders in Ancient Egypt. 1/22/2021. Viewing today leaves me with thoughts of the stone artifacts embedded in the limestone quarry yields inside the corridor on exit. Ben van Kerkwyk makes excellent video which contain excellent observation and consistency throughout. You have posited visual information about limestone inclusions. Of sedimentary rock origins, when there is something organic left in the medium, over time, it is gradually incorporated in the matrix, whether it is in the crystalline lattice and is exchanged on the mineral content itself, or, as another composition which has not integrated but has retained at least some of its integrity of form. It has more to do with a bit of palaeontologic insight. But, as observations made throughout your narrative are mindful of the substance of rock, it would be appropriate to comment on the inclusions, made around mark t=30 min of the Meidum video. Thus, the camera is paused in the corridor along the exit, at a few of the artifacts in view of the the stone along the fractured surfaces, exposed. In some sedimentary rock, if you were to imagine a fault-line included in the formation, it would take to the surfaces of the inclusion artifact. It has become one of the weak points. A fissure will follow that exact plane. An inclusion becomes the part of a fracture simply on the existence of the interface at the inclusion surfaces. Images of the artifacts display archaic organisms in cross section (a fracture has caught the object in a center of weakness), several, showing a spiral shell composition. If you think of a rolled tube (like a coil of a flattened canvas hose) sectioned at the half-point, this is what a shell appears as (midsection of the nautilus, for example). For a leaf, the size of a aspen blade, if the surface is the line of fissure of the rock, the separation of the rock will likely do that on the flat surface of the "fossilized" plant part, the same as a fossilized flounder may just separate along the flat side of the fishes. Comments on the properties of rock are always apropos. (I can only conjecture a few things for your thoughts, based on the visual appearances of them in the film segments. I think you have some fossil specimens.)

[@eoindowling1172]

The tear drop shapes are fossils (it is limestone). A Trilobite is visible at 30:45. As for the glass I have no idea. Love your videos by the way!

[@roydalezobel4946]

Great!!! I love your videos just as much as I hate the people who throw their trash away around those precious sites.

[@claudiosaltara7003]

Uncharted x: great description of the medum pyramid. I wish it was longer inside the belly of the pyramid.

[@glenanthony7439]

Im going to send this guy some cash he deserves it

[@scottleft3672]

I always imagine the Phaeroes kids as having handmade stone lego kits, and lots of them.

[@dreyn7780]

No. They didn't build these monuments.

[@scottleft3672]

@@dreyn7780 Didn't say that....did I?

[@dougg1075]

Damn dude, that was awesome!

[@imaginedauthority9455]

Love your work and often rewatch your videos.

[@gandolph999]

Awesome informative presentation. Thanks for having made it.

[@shaggyrumplenutz1610]

Can you imagine meeting Petrie?

[@patrickbrownrigg1058]

Fascinating, Brewsters angle for polarized light off of reflected light from a water surface is~53 degrees. The s;o-e of the Meidum pyramid is 51 degrees 26 minutes.

[@miraclevortex]

Great exposition! So I share one perception for some of these constructions: sometimes it looks like the layout is conceived to avoid whatever inside goes out instead of protecting from outsiders, yeah there should be more chambers

[@miraclevortex]

Eh? What do you think?

[@raymonddettlaff1386]

That lime Stone had some extremely tight seems. Even exfoliating, there were straight lines running, perfect horizontal lines, from one block to the next. And the roughness of the pyramid reminds me of Peru, upper levels rough, lower levels polygonal, tight masonry. But, the horizontal lines mock everything. As to say, " we could manufacture it precise, but chose to have a rough patina.

[@kenross7593]

Ive been subscribed for a while all the way back to pukajay I know I spelled that wrong but I digress I thoroughly enjoy the content and am glad the younger generations are into this subject matter good job son

[@dougg1075]

Sound effects were a nice touch man:)

[@MATTesticle]

Great video as usual! I always imagined whoever built the pyramids built them to hide treasures if / when they were raided. It doesn’t make sense to have numerous hidden and obscured chambers just for a glorified tomb..

[@baconator6374]

Ive been waiting for this!

[@stanleyzabecki7821]

Very late comer here. Between the 'glass' and the erosion, my thoughts are that this was one of the first 'experimental' power pyramids. Without the granite and basalt to help suppress or regulate the energy flow, the limestone not only eroded faster but was also altered at the molecular level. The 'glass' seemed to be where two blocks abutted each other. Possibly small gaps and high energy surges created intense high heat arcing which in turn transformed the limestone edges to glass. Just a thought.

[@jasonmccombs8123]

I venture that this pyramid was an example of dynastic eqypt attempting to copy the much finer and higher quality work they found at Giza and other places

[@steve-o6413]

Or a case of who is coping who??? Or is it a Case of Protection and those who Copy Protection methods another Theory as Well...

[@kitemanmusic]

The video taken at the end shows some remarkably precise facing blocks, then a bit lower down, the blocks protrude and are rough and weathered.

[@eriktheviking927]

This is just an opinion, but I think when these mastabas and pyramids were built, one of the main concerns for the contstrucors was TO HIDE THE ACTUAL BURIAL. That includes the remains, and all the grave goods. I think the rooms inside the pyramids and all the sarcophaguses are just decoys. They never contained any remains or grave goods, but were just meant to make the grave robbers think someone beat them to it. It remains a mystery where the actual remains and grave goods really are found, but my best tip is to look for passages leading deep underground, presumably to a location directly below the pyramid or mastaba, At Giza, presumably archaeologists should be trying to get further down than the current lowest know part, which is the mysterous subterranean chamber under the pyramid, that seems to lead to nowhere. Somewhere in there is a hidden passage going further down. Maybe they used some ancient sort of sement like substance to make it look like rock, when it's really just a plug in a passage? The passage running into the ground at Meidun is the obvious first location to investigate this possibility. Just like Petrie said

[@landerclifton3003]

Always good to get the bigger picture. The Sahara desert seems an unlikely place to construct such important buildings unless one wanted them buried in sand. Academics claim the desert is at least 7 million years old. Yet many unearthed structures lay under the sand. Surely there is a rat in this scenario. Velikovsky is the only person I've heard so far who puts the destruction of megaliths around the world along with vast ecosystems into some rational context and timeline.

[@michellegoldcrest910]

Have you considered the concept of the "Pharaoh's pump"? If Giza were the original inherited pyramids and were designed to pump water and generate sound waves which could effect the weather and assist local agriculture, it's possible that the Egyptians tried to emulate this in a new structure, though of lesser quality. This could even link to the broken pyramids current state of collapse, with the Egyptians unable to recreate the process and ending with a structure which could not withstand the resonance created by the pump, collapsing much like a glass does when an opera singer hits the high note. The lack of granite in the lower chambers could be a contributing factor, and the passageway degrading due to water and salt.

[@serigoolvera4494]

The commentator agrees with me as per what you & I were talking about yesterday.

[@catoyz]

Pour sand into a mound, the natural slope angle will be 51 degrees, 51 minutes.