Just three miles from the Giza Pyramids lies a mysterious site known as Zawyet El Aryan, nicknamed Egypt's Area 51, sealed off by the military for decades.

Archaeologist Alessandro Barsanti first excavated the site in the early 1900s, uncovering a colossal T-shaped pit carved into solid limestone, nearly 100 feet deep and lined with massive granite blocks. 

At the center of one chamber sits an oval vat with a fitted granite lid, which Barsanti reported contained traces of an unknown substance, now lost.

Many Egyptologists believe the site was intended as a pyramid that was never completed, though no superstructure was ever built above the pit. 

The site's true purpose remains a mystery, but graffiti discovered inside includes the word 'Seba,' interpreted by some researchers as the ancient Egyptian term for a 'gateway to the stars.' 

Independent researcher Derek Olsen discussed the mysterious structure on the Matt Beall Limitless podcast, suggesting this could indicate the structure was built as a vessel for cosmic travel or spiritual ascension. 

The shaft and chambers' dimensions and construction, massive granite floors, smooth limestone walls, and a sealed central vat have fueled speculation about advanced or ceremonial purposes. 

The mystery deepened when the Egyptian military seized control of the site in the mid-1960s, blocking all modern excavations and tours and leaving Barsanti's early photographs as the sole detailed record of the complex.

During Barsanti's original excavation, graffiti written in black and red ink was found on the walls, one inscription reading 'Seba-[unknown]-Ka.' 

While no one knows the full text or its meaning, it translates to 'star' and 'vital essence' or 'life force.' 

Olson believes it is the ancient Egyptian word for 'gateway to the stars,' suggesting the structure was built as a vessel for the ancient people to travel the cosmos.