No Mystery about Hawara Labyrinth

The usual pseudoarchaeological grifters are currently trying to drum up interest in the "mysteries" of "The Labyrinth of Egypt'. This was a vast underground structure, or temple, built south of Amenemhat III's pyramid at Hawara in Fayum, Egypt. Amenemhat III was one of the most significant rulers of the 12th Dynasty, and these underground spaces were probably conceived as an extension of his tomb.

The complex at Hawarawas described by ancient Greek historians such as Herodotus, Strabo, and Pliny the Elder. Their accounts depicte a massive, intricate temple complex, a structure so grand that it rivalled the pyramids themselves. Herodotus claimed it contained some 3,000 chambers, while others spoke of halls, courtyards, and even libraries, suggesting it was not only a funerary monument but also a vast ceremonial complex. Its complex layout reminded visitors in classical times of the legendary labyrinth of Minos at Knossos in Crete. The site has produced artefacts from both Amenemhat's reign and the Roman era.

While the physical structure was long thought to be lost, ground-penetrating radar and satellite scans have revealed detgails. In 2008, ground-penetrating radar revealed a large underground network of chambers and halls beneath the Hawara site. Subsequent satellite scans carried out by the UK company Merlin Burrows confirmed the existence of an immense grid of structures hidden below the surface, and LIDAR technology revealed a central corridor flanked by organized features, strongly suggesting the presence of a deliberately structured complex. Despite these promising findings, large-scale archaeological excavations have not yet been undertaken to fully uncover and verify the site. Reports indicate that research was halted in 2008, and speculation persists that the significance of the labyrinth, along with its potential to challenge established historical narratives, may have contributed to the secrecy surrounding it. In reality, a high local water table may threaten the site's conservation and impede future research. Not much is known about its use, but it was probably a multifunctional building—with a palace, town and administrative centre.