This controversial idea emerges from a preliminary report authored by Alberto Donini, affiliated with the University of Bologna. Using a technique called the Relative Erosion Method (REM), Donini compared the wear on different sections of limestone at the pyramid’s base to estimate how long they’ve been exposed to the elements. His findings, he says, point to a construction period tens of thousands of years earlier than the accepted timeline.
The implications are enormous: if validated, Donini’s work would suggest that advanced construction techniques existed in Egypt more than 20,000 years ago, well before the dawn of dynastic civilization. For now, the research remains in its early stages, but the questions it raises are bound to stir debate in the fields of archaeology and ancient history.
Comparing Erosion to Date Ancient Stonework
At the heart of Donini’s research is a straightforward premise: the longer a stone surface is exposed to natural forces like wind, water, and temperature fluctuations, the more it erodes. By comparing limestone slabs that were sheltered until the 14th century (when the pyramid’s casing stones were stripped away) with adjacent sections that had been exposed since construction, he aimed to back-calculate the original date of exposure.
Donini’s analysis focused on twelve distinct points around the base of the Great Pyramid. Some areas showed modest degradation, while others were visibly more worn. He applied REM by measuring the volume of eroded material in cubic millimeters or, in some cases, calculating the average reduction in thickness of the stone. According to his calculations at Point 1, for example, the stone had likely been exposed for 5,708 years, while Point 9 suggested a staggering 54,000 years of exposure.
The average of all twelve readings pointed to a construction date of approximately 24,941 years before present, or around 22,941 BC. Donini emphasized that his method does not deliver an exact date but rather an order of magnitude, stating in his report that “REM is not intended to determine a precise construction date for an ancient building; rather, it identifies a temporal interval and assigns a probability to it.”
Wide Date Range, Narrow Probability Window
The results from the twelve test points varied widely, with the oldest suggesting an exposure age of over 50,000 years, and the youngest just under 6,000 years. To make sense of the data, Donini constructed a Gaussian probability curve, which showed a 68.2% chance that the pyramid was built between 10,979 and 38,903 years before present, a range that translates roughly to 8,954 BC to 36,878 BC.
Despite this broad span, Donini maintains that the statistical analysis reduces noise in the data. “The arithmetic mean of a large number of analysed points significantly reduces this error.” he wrote. He also detailed multiple variables that could skew the results, including differences in microclimate, rock composition, and modern foot traffic, which can accelerate erosion and distort estimates.
According to the report published by Donini on Zenodo on January 20, 2026, the erosion observed might also have been influenced by acid rain, a relatively recent phenomenon, or shifting sands that may have periodically shielded sections of the pyramid’s base over millennia.
A Radical Reinterpretation of the Pyramid’s History
The report does not shy away from challenging established narratives. In its final pages, Donini suggests a striking reinterpretation of Egyptian history: that Pharaoh Khufu may not have commissioned the Great Pyramid, but rather restored an already ancient monument and claimed its authorship. “It is therefore plausible that Pharaoh Khufu simply renovated the Pyramid of Khufu, attributing its authorship to himself.” he writes, referencing the Greek name commonly associated with the ruler.
This notion echoes fringe theories but is presented in Donini’s study as a consequence of measurable erosion data, not speculation. He admits that the method comes with limitations and uncertainty, but concludes: “On the basis of this preliminary report on relative erosion measurements (REM) carried out on the Khufu pyramid, it can be concluded that around 20,000 years before Christ there existed a civilisation in Egypt capable of constructing at least the Khufu pyramid (G1).”
According to the same report, Donini plans to extend his measurements across the Giza Plateau and encourages other archaeologists to collaborate in refining the method. Whether REM will gain traction or be dismissed remains to be seen, but for now, it has opened a new and audacious front in the debate over the age of one of humanity’s most enduring mysteries.
