The mummies of such pharaohs as Djoser, Khafre, and Menkaure were placed in a subterranean burial chamber underneath a pyramid. Khufu's mummy, however, was placed inside the Great Pyramid, in the King's Chamber, and not underground, as was customary.

No, no human bodies have ever been found buried inside the main chambers of the Egyptian pyramids.

This is a common point of confusion. Here’s a breakdown of why:

1. The Pyramids Were Tombs, But Were Looted in Antiquity

The pyramids were absolutely built as monumental tombs for pharaohs (and sometimes queens). They contained burial chambers filled with treasures and, of course, the mummified body of the king. However, nearly all pyramids were broken into and robbed within a century or two of their completion—often during times of political instability. The valuable grave goods and the royal mummies themselves were prime targets.

2. What Archaeologists Have Found

• Empty Sarcophagi: In pyramids like the Great Pyramid of Giza, archaeologists have found massive, empty stone sarcophagi (like the one in the King’s Chamber). The body and grave goods were long gone.
• Secondary Burials: In later periods, sometimes much later (like the Saite period, 26th Dynasty, c. 600 BCE), a few pyramids were reused for elite burials. These are not the original pharaohs.
• Pyramid Complexes: Bodies have been found in mastaba tombs (flat-roofed rectangular tombs) and satellite burials surrounding the pyramids, belonging to family members and high officials.
• The “Pyramid Texts”: In later pyramids from the 5th and 6th Dynasties (e.g., at Saqqara), the burial chambers are inscribed with spells and rituals (the Pyramid Texts), clearly indicating their purpose, but the mummies