Work to Re-Clad a Giza Pyramid Has Started
- Editor OGN Daily
- Feb 2, 2024
- 1 min read
An Egyptian pyramid is being re-clad in granite blocks in a renovation programme dubbed as the "project of the century" by local archaeologists.
The Pyramid of Menkaure, the smallest of the three pyramids in Giza - but still over 60m (200ft) tall - will be restored in order to allow visitors to experience the monumental structure in the way it would have appeared in ancient times, says the Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities in Egypt, Dr Mostafa Waziri.
The project involves excavating the area around the pyramid, and then the huge task of matching up the fallen granite stones with the stones in the pyramid will commence - and is clearly going to be a bit like trying to assemble a giant jigsaw puzzle, with lots of missing bits.
The Pyramid of Menkaure is the only one of the trio that was covered with granite. Many of the stones were reportedly stolen, leaving the modern day pyramid looking very different to its original appearance more than 4,000 years ago.
“We do not know the date on which the granite stones that covered the Pyramid of Menkaure fell, but the time has come to return them as they were in ancient Egypt, through the Century Project, in cooperation with the Japanese mission in Cairo," Dr Waziri said, as reported by Al Arabiya.
However, judging by the reaction of many commentators, Egypt's restoration project may not achieve its objective. Altering the ancient monument makes a "Disneyland from ancient legacy" is not an uncommon reaction. Time will tell.