On Saturday, Egypt’s antiquities ministry responded to public outcry by announcing the establishment of a committee to reassess the restoration efforts on Giza’s Menkaure Pyramid.
The controversy arose after Mostafa Waziri, the head of Egypt’s Supreme Council of Antiquities, shared a video on Facebook depicting workers placing granite blocks on the base of the smallest of the three Giza pyramids.
The footage triggered criticism from Egyptologists who expressed concerns about a potential comprehensive reconstruction of the renowned monument, raising worries about the preservation of its historical integrity.
In an attempt to address the debate, especially in a nation where tourism contributes significantly to the GDP, the ministry revealed the formation of a “scientific committee chaired by… Zahi Hawass,” a prominent Egyptian archaeologist, to evaluate the project.
Comprising experts in engineering and archaeology from the Czech Republic, Germany, the United States, and Egypt, the committee will produce a final report outlining “necessary procedures and steps to coordinate with (the UN heritage agency) UNESCO.”
The ministry emphasized that a decision on whether to proceed with the project or not would be based on the committee’s recommendations.
Meanwhile, AFP journalists reported last week that restoration work was already in progress at the base of the Menkaure Pyramid. The original construction featured a granite-covered base, which had lost some of its outer layer over time.
The ongoing renovation aims to recreate the pyramid’s initial style by reconstructing the granite base.
The issue of heritage preservation in Egypt, home to the still-visible Great Pyramid of Giza, the last of the seven wonders of the ancient world, often sparks intense debates.
Recent demolition activities in Cairo’s historic core prompted public campaigns, a noteworthy occurrence in a country where political opposition is typically restricted.
