Outrage and applause clash as Egypt’s Menkaure pyramid undergoes transformation

As the ancient Menkaure pyramid at Giza undergoes extensive restorative work, a video documenting the process has become a focal point of controversy on social media. Constructed between 2532 and 2515 BC, the pyramid is undergoing a three-year renovation project led by Mostafa Waziri, the head of Egypt’s Supreme Council of Antiquities.

Waziri, overseeing the Egyptian-Japanese project, shared insights on Facebook, revealing the team’s mission to ‘reassemble the granite blocks’ of the third pyramid. The outer layer of the pyramid initially consisted of these granite blocks, some of which have deteriorated or fallen due to factors such as earthquakes over time.

While some applaud the preservation efforts, criticism has emerged regarding the restoration team’s methods. Social media users voiced concerns about the inconsistent size of the replaced stones, questioning the geometric integrity compared to ancient Egyptian architecture.

One critic remarked, “[Translation] Ancient Egyptians built pyramids with stones almost consistent in size. Why is the restoration not done with the same consistency, and the exterior is geometrically acceptable? What we notice is that each stone has a different size, and the result will be a random exterior shape, unlike ancient Egyptian architecture!”

Others expressed scepticism about altering the pyramid’s structure after 4500 years, with comments such as, “[Translation] Excavation of the base is a good idea, but the rest will just further damage what remains of the pyramid.”

Notable Egyptologist Monica Hanna joined the conversation, stating, “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.”

However, amidst the criticism, voices of support emerged. Some users wished the team good luck, labelling it a “powerful project,” while others commended the effort as a “great job.”