News
By Katherine Donlevy
Published
Feb. 3, 2024, 7:20 p.m. ET
This may be the ultimate fixer upper.
Egyptian archeologists are working to restore one of Giza’s pyramids to what they believe it looked like when it was erected some 4,000 years ago—a plan they have named the “project of the century.”
Last week, Mostafa Waziri, the secretary general of Egypt’s Supreme Council of Antiquities, announced the initiative to reapply the outside casing of the Pyramid of Menkaure with hundreds of granite blocks that once covered the ancient structure.
Waziri stated, “There have been numerous projects throughout history that have been referred to as the ‘Project of the Century,’ but, in my opinion, the task of restoring the granite casing of the Menkaure Pyramid is as significant and crucial,” while standing at the base of the pyramid.
According to Waziri, the project is considered “a gift from Egypt to the world.”
The Pyramid of Menkaure was built as the tomb of King Menkaure around 2,000 BC and is the only known pyramid in Egypt that was constructed with an outer shell of granite blocks, according to Waziri.
It was once covered in smooth blocks until scientists believe an earthquake caused many to topple off the structure within the last thousand years.
Mostafa Waziri announced plans to resurface the Pyramid of Menkaure with its original granite blocks. dr_mostafa_waziry/Instagram
The blocks fell off the pyramid during an earthquake within the last thousand years. dr_mostafa_waziry/Instagram
Waziri described the initiative as the “project of the century.” Dr. Mostafa Waziry/Facebook
Archeologists plan to use the same original granite blocks, which have been scattered around the pyramid’s base since they fell and can be seen in photographs dating back to the 20th century.
The team, led by a coalition of Egyptian and Japanese experts, will spend at least one year studying and planning the initiative before an international team will decide whether to proceed with the reconstruction.
There has been some opposition to the plans, with some critics expressing concerns that the smooth blocks will look odd next to the weathered surface of the existing pyramid.
The Pyramid of Menkaure is the smallest of Giza’s three main pyramids. Cobalt88
Even other historians criticized the project, with some condemning the plan on Waziri’s Facebook page.
“Impossible,” wrote Egyptologist Monica Hanna. “The only thing missing was to add tiling to the pyramid of Menkaure! When are we going to stop the absurdity in the management of Egyptian heritage?”
“All international principles on renovations prohibit such interventions.”
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