I was in a book shop earlier today looking at a copy of:

The Old Kingdom Art and Archaeology. Proceedings of the Conference Prague May 31 - June 4 2004. Editor Barta, M Charles University, Prague, 2006

I glanced down the index of papers submitted and one caught my eye:

"Two enigmatic, mud brick, circular structures at Giza."

Circles at Giza! Obviously I had to have a look and balancing the rather large volume on my arm I turned to the paper.

I wasn't in a situation where I could copy anything or take notes so I can only report the basics and I have to apologise that I now can't remember the name of the author.

Two round mudbrick structures were discovered in the extreme North West corner of the Plateau in the Western Field of Mastabas. They were dated to the IVth Dynasty. Photographs of the structures showed two excavated low circular walls in a fairly ruined state. Each about 2 metres across.

So what were they? Hyena cages apparently. There were some scenes reproduced in the paper from Old Kingdom Tombs showing Hyenas but I didn't really have the time to read much more as I was causing an obstruction. So I can't comment on how strong the evidence was but I will have another look next time I'm passing. (The £50 price tag was a bit steep)

So at least two circles at Giza with an explanation...

Jon

www.egyptarchive.co.uk