Tomographic Muon Imaging of the Great Pyramid of Giza (2202.08184v1)

Abstract: The pyramids of the Giza plateau have fascinated visitors since ancient times and are the last of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world still standing. It has been half a century since Luiz Alvarez and his team used cosmic-ray muon imaging to look for hidden chambers in Khafres Pyramid. Advances in instrumentation for High-Energy Physics (HEP) allowed a new survey, ScanPyramids, to make important new discoveries at the Great Pyramid (Khufu) utilizing the same basic technique that the Alvarez team used, but now with modern instrumentation. The Exploring the Great Pyramid Mission plans to field a very-large muon telescope system that will be transformational with respect to the field of cosmic-ray muon imaging. We plan to field a telescope system that has upwards of 100 times the sensitivity of the equipment that has recently been used at the Great Pyramid, will image muons from nearly all angles and will, for the first time, produce a true tomographic image of such a large structure.

• The paper presents advanced muon imaging that detects voids as small as 3 m and distinguishes subtle density variations within the pyramid.
• It employs a scalable, modular muon telescope system validated by GEANT4 simulations to optimize imaging and reduce onsite data collection time.
• Its non-invasive approach paves the way for broader applications in archaeology, geophysics, and civil engineering by revealing ancient construction nuances.

Tomographic Muon Imaging of the Great Pyramid of Giza

The paper "Tomographic Muon Imaging of the Great Pyramid of Giza" presents advancements and applications of cosmic-ray muon imaging in the context of archeological exploration, specifically targeting the internal structure of the Great Pyramid of Khufu. This research seeks to significantly enhance the precision of identifying internal features and possible voids within ancient monumental structures by deploying high-energy physics instrumentation.

Background and Motivation

The utilization of cosmic-ray muon imaging to examine large structures is not novel, tracing its early application back to the work of Luiz Alvarez in the 1960s. Nonetheless, since its inception, there have been significant advancements in instrumentation which have amplified both the resolution and sensitivity of such imaging techniques. This paper leverages these technological advancements to perform a comprehensive analysis of the Great Pyramid of Khufu.

Key Objectives and Technical Approach

The paper sets out to deploy a large-scale muon telescope system to perform tomographic imaging of the pyramid. The design and projected sensitivity of this system aim to achieve the following objectives:

• Detection of internal structural differences not merely between stone and air but also in measuring varying densities.
• Resolution into relatively small structural discontinuities which could illuminate construction techniques yet to be fully understood.
• Fast data collection facilitated by the expansive scale of the telescope to allow for minimized viewing periods on-site, with an estimated two-year duration.

The technical framework is characterized by a scalable and modular telescope construction, allowing for repositioning and reuse in other studies beyond this initial application. A notable feature of the technological approach is the utilization of GEANT4 simulation environments to validate the design's capacity to render accurately simulated results in real-world applications.

Numerical Analysis and Results

A noteworthy aspect of the paper is its rigorous simulation exercise using advanced muon imaging techniques to reconstruct both known and potentially hidden structures within the pyramid. Through extensive simulations involving $\sim4 \times 10^{10}$ muons, it has been demonstrated that proposed muon detectors could segregate voids as small as 3~m within the pyramid. This is an improvement over current capabilities, which is important given the intricate density distribution likely present due to the pyramid’s construction history. This simulation phase employs a two-stage approach, enabling iterative modifications to detectors without resimulating initial muon interactions with the pyramid structure.

Key Implications and Future Directions

The practical implications of this research rest significantly on its potential to near non-invasively interrogate large archaeological structures, providing insights into construction methods and revealing heretofore undiscovered passageways or chambers. By advancing beyond previous cosmic-ray muon applications, the paper highlights profound implications for archaeological methodology.

Theoretically, this work may spur further developments in tomography and detection systems for uses outside archeology in geophysics and civil engineering. New algorithms developed for the proposed Exploratory Great Pyramid Mission could fine-tune image resolutions and enhance muon tracking capabilities.

Conclusion

In summary, the presented paper represents a significant methodological improvement in high-resolution imaging of massive anthropogenic structures using muon detectors. By harnessing the capabilities of modern high-energy physics instrumentation, this novel technical approach positions muon tomography as a potent tool in non-invasive archaeological exploration. Future work will undoubtedly focus on the application of these methods to other archaeological and structural sites globally and continual enhancement of tomographic reconstruction techniques to refine data acquisition and interpretation. The research not only promises expanded archeological understanding but also offers a template for densely packed structural examination capable of transcending its immediate domain.