Because from the ground it doesn't look like anything at all. I've been there, and without knowing where I was, I never would have guessed that I was inside the structure.
I wouldn't believe that claim either if there is no archeological evidence, but I'm wondering why there isn't actually some civilization that walked by, said "this shit is cool", and built a city there.
If I was an ancient pharoah I certainly would have ordered a city built there. Maybe with a nice pyramid in the middle instead of some burning man
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49667272