Egypt aborts controversial pyramid renovation plan

The plan to reinstall ancient granite cladding on the pyramid of Menkaure, the smallest of the three great pyramids of Giza, has been scrapped by Egypt, according to a committee formed by the country’s tourism minister. Mostafa Waziri, secretary general of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, initially announced the plan, calling it “the project of the century”.

However, the proposal sparked international outcry, leading to Egypt’s antiquities authority reviewing the project. The pyramids are the only one of the seven wonders of the ancient world that still remain.

Menkaure was designed to be clad in granite rather than limestone, but only 16 to 18 layers of granite were installed before construction was halted around 2503 B.C. Over time, pilfering, weathering, and collapse caused many layers to disappear, leaving only seven layers in modern times.

Waziri stated that the project to replace the granite would only proceed after a year of scanning and documentation. The Menkaure Pyramid Review Committee unanimously objected to the reinstallation of the granite casing blocks, citing the blocks’ scattered state and the difficulty in determining their original positions.

Zahi Hawass, a former minister of antiquities who headed the committee, emphasized the impossibility of determining the original position of each block and the potential detrimental impact of the use of cement in replacing them.

Hawass assured the public that the pyramids of Giza are safe, and that nothing will happen to them. The committee also gave initial consent to excavate Menkaure pyramid’s boat pits, similar to the Pharaonic bark pits found alongside Khufu’s pyramid, but only after a “clear and detailed scientific study”.

Hawass stressed the importance of conducting a comprehensive study before any work is done at the site of the pyramids, highlighting the need to avoid rushing in order to preserve the integrity of the site.

(Writing by Patrick Werr; Editing by Bill Berkrot)