From aliens to energy plants—Why the latest pyramid theory doesn’t add up

Social media lit up this week with sensational claims that radar technology has uncovered a vast underground city beneath Egypt’s Great Pyramids. The story, paired with resurfaced fringe theories about the pyramids being ancient power plants or the work of extraterrestrials, quickly gained traction online.

But archaeologists and science communicators warn that the claims lack credible evidence — and originate from a non-peer-reviewed paper published by researchers in the United Kingdom and Italy. While the document presents itself as scientific, experts emphasize that without peer review — the standard process of vetting research by independent scholars — its findings remain unverified.

“Peer review is what separates rigorous science from speculation,” said one archaeologist familiar with research on the Giza Plateau. “When a study hasn’t been reviewed by others in the field, there’s no guarantee the methods are sound or the conclusions reliable.”

The paper not only suggests a hidden underground metropolis beneath the pyramids, but also references widely debunked theories — including the involvement of aliens and the idea that the pyramids once functioned as energy generators. Such claims have long been dismissed by mainstream archaeologists and historians as pseudoscience.

Experts caution that without proper scrutiny, such theories can easily take root online and mislead the public. “False or unverified claims can spread fast, especially when they sound mysterious or play into popular myths,” said a media literacy researcher.

To avoid falling for misinformation, experts recommend taking a moment to examine the credibility of the source, look for supporting evidence, and verify whether the research has undergone peer review. If a claim seems too extraordinary to be true, it often is.

As the online information landscape continues to evolve, experts stress the importance of pausing before sharing. Fact-checking remains a vital tool for keeping the public conversation grounded in truth.