A Great Hoax in the Great Pyramid of Egypt? | Ancient Architects

Ancient Architects・2 minutes read

Evidence of red ochre graffiti Quarry marks naming King Kufu found in the Great Pyramid points to its construction during his reign, although doubts and claims of forgery have persisted since the 19th century. Despite controversies and allegations, scholars suggest that the graffiti is authentic and not a hoax, aligning with the belief that Khufu was indeed responsible for the pyramid's construction.

Insights

  • The red ochre graffiti Quarry marks in the Great Pyramid's relieving chambers, including King Kufu's name, date the structure to the fourth dynasty of the Old Kingdom, with 15 instances discovered by Howard Vice and John Shea pering, solidifying Kufu's reign as the time of construction.
  • Despite persistent controversies and allegations of forgery surrounding the graffiti naming King Kufu in the Great Pyramid, detailed examinations and lack of concrete evidence debunk claims of hoax, with scholars like Samuel Birch and John Anthony West supporting the authenticity of the hieroglyphs, refuting forgery theories, and reinforcing Khufu's role in the pyramid's construction.

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Recent questions

  • What evidence supports dating the Great Pyramid?

    Quarry marks with King Kufu's name.

  • Who explored the relieving chambers of the Great Pyramid?

    Howard Vice and John Shea pering.

  • What controversy surrounds the graffiti in the Great Pyramid?

    Doubts over authenticity and forgery allegations.

  • What did Prince Herman Poler mcow observe in 1845?

    Recent painting of hieroglyphics.

  • What did Samuel Birch focus on in the Great Pyramid?

    Hieroglyphic content, not authenticity.

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Summary

00:00

Controversy Surrounding Great Pyramid's Graffiti Dating

  • In the relieving chambers of the Great Pyramid of Egypt, there are numerous red ochre graffiti Quarry marks revealing the name of King Kufu, providing evidence for dating the pyramid to the fourth dynasty of the Old Kingdom.
  • Up to 15 instances of King Kufu's name, including different variants, were discovered by Howard Vice and John Shea pering in the early 19th century, solidifying the pyramid's construction during Kufu's reign.
  • The graffiti naming Kufu remains a controversial dating subject for the Great Pyramid, with some believing it to be a hoax created by Howard Vice in the 1830s.
  • Howard Vice and John Shea pering explored the Great Pyramid in 1837, discovering the relieving Chambers above the king's chamber, changing the understanding of the pyramid's internal structure significantly.
  • The relieving Chambers were a crucial discovery, with Vice and pering documenting the Quarry marks and symbols found inside, including the names Kufu and Canum Kufu, associated with stone-handling work gangs.
  • The Quarry marks and graffiti inside the relieving Chambers were not created to venerate King Kufu but to identify stone blocks, with two distinct cartouches found, some complete and others partial or barely visible.
  • Doubts over the authenticity of the graffiti emerged in 1980, with allegations of forgery by Howard Vice, initiated by ancient astronaut theorist Zechariah Sitchin to discredit the evidence linking the Great Pyramid to Kufu.
  • Prince Herman Poler mcow's observations in 1845 suggested recent painting of the hieroglyphics, but he did not accuse Vice of forgery, speculating without evidence due to the unusual nature of the markings.
  • Despite thorough debunking by scholars in the 1980s, doubts over the authenticity of the graffiti persisted due to the lack of fact-checking and the repetition of allegations by popular authors like Eric Von danin and Graham Hancock.
  • The controversy surrounding the graffiti in the Great Pyramid persists due to the desire of some researchers and authors to establish alternative, more fantastical origins for the pyramid, perpetuating doubts about its true construction history.

18:47

Debunking the Great Pyramid Forgery Theory

  • Hancock and John Anthony West rejected the forgery hypothesis over 20 years ago due to various reasons.
  • Many people still believe the claims that Vice forged the kufu couis, influenced by hearsay and a reluctance to accept Kufu's role in building the Great Pyramid.
  • Detailed examination reveals that labeling the coues as a hoax is, in fact, the real hoax, fabricated to push agendas of ancient astronauts or lost civilizations.
  • Samuel Birch of the British Museum did not express doubts about the authenticity or age of the hieroglyphs in the Great Pyramid's relieving chambers.
  • Birch's report focused on the hieroglyphic content, not questioning authenticity, and he was unaware of the third variant of Kufu's name, Meidu, found in the same chambers.
  • Walter M Allen's claim of witnessing the forgery by Vice's men, Raven and Hill, is debunked as a fabrication with no evidence to support his story.
  • Howard Vice's personal journal, including drawings of cartouches, does not incriminate him in any forgery, with no evidence of planning or committing such an act.
  • Claims of radiocarbon dating proving the graffiti as a fraud are false, as the samples taken were not from the kufu coues and were not properly tested.
  • Davidson's chamber, the only relieving chamber not opened by Vice, lacks graffiti due to its exposure to the elements over centuries, not due to any deliberate omission.
  • The materials used in the graffiti, red ochre or iron oxide, are challenging to date accurately, making claims of scientific proof of forgery unfounded.

37:09

Debunking theories on Great Pyramid markings

  • Salt buildup likely present in many chambers of the Great Pyramid
  • Reports of bat infestation in the chamber, potentially harmful to conservation efforts
  • Captain Cavilar believed to have cleaned the chamber, possibly removing historical markings
  • Zahi Hawas claims markings on walls, but they may be fragmented and faded
  • Limited visual documentation of Davidson's chamber, making claims difficult to verify
  • Misspelling of Khufu's name in graffiti inside the Great Pyramid
  • Graffiti does not definitively prove Khufu built the Pyramid, could have been renovations
  • Lack of evidence for renovation work in the relieving chambers, questioning the authenticity of the graffiti
  • Scott Kryon's hypothesis of a hoax surrounding the graffiti lacks substantial evidence
  • Graham Hancock retracted his initial support of the forgery theory after examining the hieroglyphs closely

54:53

Debates over authenticity of Giza hieroglyphs

  • Orthodox egyptologists believe the hieroglyphs on the blocks of limestone at Giza are genuine Old Kingdom graffiti, drawn before construction began.
  • John Anthony West, after visiting the site, is convinced the hieroglyphs are legitimate, dismissing arguments against their authenticity.
  • In an online forum discussion, doubts were raised about the authenticity of the hieroglyphs, with Graham Hancock expressing uncertainty and awaiting further evidence.
  • Despite debates, evidence suggests King Khufu, also known as Horus Medu, was behind the construction of the Great Pyramid, with no concrete proof of a hoax or involvement of an ancient alien spaceport.
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