The Secret of the Great Pyramid of Khufu
Explore how the pyramid was able to generate light and heat using an innovative ignition system.
The language in which this theory has been developed is Catalan. The translation into Spanish is quite faithful to the Catalan, but the translation into English may contain some errors, since it has been done automatically with online translators.
Exploring its potential as a hydroluminous power plant
“Can you imagine an ancient civilization using technology as advanced as water pumping systems and intense light production?”
The Great Pyramid of Giza is not just an architectural marvel; according to an innovative theory developed by Cèsar Suari between 2016 and 2024, it also functioned as a hydro-luminescent plant, designed to provide high-pressure water, hot water, and light to the inhabitants of Ancient Egypt. This dual system combined water pumping and light production, revolutionizing daily life at the time.
One of the most recent discoveries supporting this theory is that a branch of the Nile river reached the base of the pyramid, although probably at a lower level. In addition, recent studies have revealed that chamber 17 was discovered recently, and that chamber 5 was double, as can be inferred when visiting the page “mused.com,” where a fragment of the dividing wall can still be seen.
The Great Pyramid had multiple practical purposes, all designed to improve the lives of the inhabitants of Ancient Egypt.
During the day
“Could this solar radiation also heat water? Possibly yes, since the water was in direct contact with the four walls of the pyramid.”
On a sunny day, the white surface of the pyramid (covered with limestone) reflected sunlight onto the water of the perimeter basin, charging it with light energy. This water, possibly also heated by contact with the pyramid’s walls, was pumped through the Ariete System to the spiral internal ramp.
Once the ramp was filled, the water flowed into the neighborhoods through channels, transporting light as if it were optical fiber. The pyramid monoliths in the neighborhoods indicated the amount of available solar radiation by the shadow they cast.
The precise design of the pyramid maximized the efficiency of solar radiation throughout the year, ensuring that light was reflected onto the water for later use.
“Every detail of the pyramid was designed to make the most of the sun’s energy.”
Overnight
The pyramid’s operation was based on a hydraulic ram system, composed of ducts 4+5 (double chamber), 13, and 14. This system generated enough pressure to pump water upward through the spiral internal ramp via duct 6′.
Chamber 5 (air/water valve) allowed the water from the basin to ascend through duct 4 intermittently. At the same time, gate 20 was closed through the action of the mini pyramid of Hetepheres I, which functioned as a pressure pump to open or close the gate.
The process of loading water in the Grand Gallery: The hydraulic heart of the pyramid
The Grand Gallery of the Pyramid of Khufu was not just an architectural structure; it was an essential part of the hydraulic system that allowed the entire pyramid to function. Through an ingenious mechanism based on the Hydraulic Ram System, which filled the internal ramp with water, the water was introduced at high pressure into the Grand Gallery through the Queen’s Chamber and after moving back the stone blocks. This activation of the water pressure ignition system lifted 2 of the 3 vertical sliders, producing both intense light and hot water, which was stored in reservoir 16.
The process begins with water from the large perimeter basin (duct 15), which surrounded the pyramid. This water enters through duct 13 and is directed to the spiral internal ramp discovered by Jean-Pierre Houdin. Here’s a step-by-step explanation of how the water was loaded:
Once the spiral internal ramp is completely filled with water, it flows into the Grand Gallery (9). This is where one of the most fascinating processes occurs:
The water loading system in the Great Gallery demonstrates advanced hydraulic engineering. The Egyptians not only managed to move large volumes of water to considerable heights, but they also integrated precise mechanisms to control flow and pressure. This design anticipates modern concepts of pumping and energy storage systems.
The combustion system of the Great Pyramid
Previously, fuel oil was loaded into the King’s Chamber through conduit 19, which was connected to the mini-pyramid of Queen Meritetis I. This structure functioned as an oil pumping system.
Through the ram system of Queen Meritetis I’s pyramid, the floor of the King’s Chamber was filled with oil, and when slides A and B were raised, the oil flowed to gate C. Gate C kept the ignition system separate from the water system. Inside the sarcophagus was silica in the form of granulated sand, a material that did not require refilling with each operating cycle.
When the Great Gallery 9 was filled with water, it raised the vertical slide A and this raised the vertical slide B. When the water pressure decreased, the vertical slide B was lowered first, which hit the ground and created ignition, and secondly, the vertical slide A was lowered.
The “C” slide kept the water and ignition systems separate, avoiding interference.
The temperature inside the king’s chamber could reach up to 2,400 degrees, thanks to the heat retention of the stone structure itself due to the combustion of the oil. This generated light (light from combustion + light from the silicon) that exited the pyramid through conduit 19. If the three slides were translucent, they could also allow light to pass directly into the water of the great gallery and thus into the entire circuit.
The ceiling slabs of the King’s Chamber functioned as radiators, protecting the structure and distributing heat evenly.
The hot water moved through conduit 10a and evaporated and condensed in gallery 16. Cover 20 regulated this process, maintaining a temperature balance.
When the water pressure decreased, the rocks would move towards Queen’s Chamber 7. This would free the conduits, allowing the water to be evacuated to the outside, coinciding with the opening of Door 20.
The Pyramid of Khufu, a complex system
The spiral internal ramp, discovered by Jean-Pierre Houdin, was not only used for the pyramid’s construction but was also essential to its operation. It functioned as a high-pressure water pumping system, which was pre-filled by the Ariete hydraulic system.
Diagram of Houdin’s internal spiral ramp, taken from MUSED
The king’s chamber (10) stored fuel oil from the pyramid of Meritetis I. When activated, the sliding door system of chamber 11, sliding B generated sparks when hitting the ground, initiating the combustion of said oil. The combustion + storage of heat by the same stone structure of the king’s chamber, caused the temperature to rise to 2,400ºC, generating intense light by heating the silicon that was part of the same granite structure of the chamber and the sand that contained the sarcophagus.
Detail of the king’s chamber with conduits and sarcophagus, taken from Wikipedia
The roof of the king’s chamber, composed of granite slabs, acted as a radiator. Water circulated between these slabs to dissipate heat, preventing the structure from collapsing. The steam generated condensed in tank 16 and was reused as hot water for distribution to the population.
Diagram of the Ram system and pressure valves, taken from Wikipedia
The light generated in the king’s chamber was transmitted through the air conduit first and then the water conduit second, functioning like a primitive optical fiber. Light was obtained through small portholes installed in the water conduits within the various dwellings, etc., and also through the Dendera lamp. Pyramidal monoliths in villages indicated the light intensity available in the water, guiding the use of solar energy during the day.
Example of light diffusion in water, such as the Montjuïc fountains, taken from Barcelona Turisme and Dendera Lamp
Conclusion
“What did we miss out on for thousands of years?”
Imagine a world where humanity had harnessed the knowledge of ancient civilizations. According to recent studies, our technological evolution could have been 2000 to 4000 years ahead if the Egyptian advancements in hydraulic, lighting, and energy systems had been preserved.
For example, Thomas Edison patented the electric lightbulb in 1878, but what would have happened if the Egyptians had transmitted their methods for generating intense light using heated silicon? Electric energy, as we know it today, is artificial and depends on complex infrastructures. However, the pyramids were already using natural principles to produce light and heat—something we could have adapted much earlier.
Silicon, the most abundant material in the Earth’s crust, has unique properties when heated to high temperatures (up to 2400°C). The Egyptians likely already knew this, using granular silicon in the King’s Chamber to emit intense light.
Today, institutions like MIT are researching similar systems. In a recent project, engineers developed a model to heat silicon to 2500°C, generating light that can be converted back into energy using photovoltaic panels. This system could provide renewable energy to 100,000 homes.
“Could we rediscover this method to create sustainable lighting systems?”
An intriguing question arises when analyzing the functioning of the pyramids: is it possible to store light in water vapor? The Egyptians might have used silicon crystals in combination with vapor to maximize light diffusion.
Today, researchers are exploring whether vapor can act as an efficient medium to transport light. This phenomenon, observed in modern systems like the Montjuïc fountains, could have been used by the Egyptians to illuminate underground chambers with no natural light.
“Is it easier for them to find us than for us to find them?”
Some theories suggest that the pyramids might have been designed to send light signals to the center of our galaxy. However, the light emitted from the King’s Chamber would likely struggle to pass through Earth’s atmosphere and reach outer space.
If an advanced civilization wanted to communicate with us, they would probably use laser technology from space, powered by solar energy. This would be much more efficient than trying to send light from Earth.
The pyramids not only provided pressurized water for industrial and agricultural activities but also generated light to illuminate homes and underground chambers. This dual purpose makes them advanced hydro-luminous power stations, a technology that could have revolutionized human development if it had been preserved.
The use of materials like sand (rich in silicon) and granite (which contains 75% silica) in the construction of the pyramids demonstrates a deep understanding of their physical properties. By heating these materials, the Egyptians could generate intense light, a phenomenon also observed in asteroids near the sun.
The MIT model, which heats silicon up to 2500°C to generate light and energy, demonstrates how ancient technologies can inspire modern solutions. According to their calculations, a single structure like this could supply energy to 100,000 homes with the help of a wind or solar park.
“Discover more about how the pyramids can inspire sustainable technologies.”
The pyramids are not just relics of the past; they are a reminder of what we could have achieved if ancestral knowledge had not been lost. Today, as we face global challenges such as the energy crisis and climate change, it is crucial to look back and learn from the innovations of our ancestors.