SECRET chambers hidden below the Great Sphinx of Giza could lead to undiscovered treasures, a top historian has claimed.

5The Great Sphinx of Giza is one of Egypt’s most famous monumentsCredit: Getty – Contributor5A top British historian has revealed a rare glimpse at a hidden entrance that runs below the statueCredit: Channel 5

The world-famous dates back around 4,500 years, and sits next to the Great Pyramid of Giza – one of Egypt’s busiest tourist hotspots.

But we know surprisingly little about the statue, despite its age and huge interest from the public.

Now UK historian Dr Bettany Hughes OBE claims chambers below the statue could reveal hidden secrets, and point to possible treasure.

She said two chambers underneath the Sphinx could be worth excavating, speaking during her new Channel 5 show Egypt’s Greatest Treasures.

5Dr Hughes claims that chambers and tunnels below could reveal secrets about Ancient EgyptCredit: Channel 5

“Generations of Ancient Egyptians came to respect and fear this otherworldly creature, really believing that it had supernatural powers,” Dr Hughes said.

“And the fascination with the Sphinx shows no sign of letting up.

“Archaeologists are investigating under the statue because there are tantalising clues that the Sphinx sits right on top of an ancient network of chambers and tunnels.”

During the show, Dr Hughes explored a small hole at the base of the Sphinx usually hidden from view.

She said this deep hole near the tail is thought to be connected with a large chamber beyond.

But she admitted it was too early to say where the tunnel finishes.

However, Dr Hughes said the tunnels could be linked to Khufu, an ancient king of Egypt buried in the nearby pyramid.

“There’s actually another smaller [chamber] right at the front underneath the paws,” Dr Hughes said.

“The truth is, we have absolutely no idea what these were used for, but it’s a mystery that researchers are currently trying to solve.

“And some are hopeful that these hidden tunnels may lead us to new, undiscovered treasures.”

Dr Hughes also described the Sphinx as a “monumental guard dog, watching over the Pharaoh’s tomb”.

She added: “And now it’s the guardian of Ancient Egypt’s secrets.”

5The Sphinx is located near to the Great Pyramid of GizaCredit: Blink Films5This is a statuette of Ancient Egyptian King Khufu, whose treasure may lurk below the SphinxCredit: Getty – Contributor

The Great Sphinx of Giza

Here’s what you need to know…

• The Great Sphinx of Giza is an enormous limestone statue of a reclining sphinx
• A sphinx is a mythical creature with the body of a lion and the head of a human
• It faces directly from West to East and stands on the Giza Plateau in Egypt, near the Great Pyramid of Giza
• The Sphinx was cut from bedrock and measures 73 metres (240 feet) long from paw to tail
• It’s 20 metres (66 feet) high and 19 metres (62 feet) wide
• It is the oldest “monumental” sculpture in Egypt, and was believed to have been built between 2558 and 2532 BC
• Archaeologists are still unclear about exactly when it was built, who built it and why
• Some claim it was built for the Pharaoh Khafra, who was the son of Khufu
• There is evidence that it was excavated on several occasions in ancient times, including as far back as 1400 BC
• The Sphinx is one of Egypt’s most popular tourist attractions today

The existence of man-made chambers and tunnels below the Sphinx are debated.

American clairvoyant Edgar Cayce, who died in 1945, famously claimed that an ancient library was hidden below the statue.

This so-called Hall of Records documented Earth’s ancient past, but there is no evidence for existence – and the claim is widely discredited.

In 1998, Egypt’s Chief Director of the Supreme Council of Antiquities excavated below the main body of the Sphinx.

Zahi Hawass claims to have rediscovered access tunnels to several large and seemingly natural caves below the Sphinx.

No artefacts were uncovered, although Hawass says there was some evidence of earlier ancient excavations.

Hawass also admitted that there may be other unexplored cavities beneath the structure.