A committee formed by the Egyptian Minister of Tourism announced that Cairo has canceled a controversial project to reassemble granite blocks on the Menkaure Pyramid, the smallest of the three Giza pyramids. Mustafa Waziri, the Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, announced the project last month, calling it the "Project of the Century." However, the scientific committee, led by archaeologist and former Minister of Antiquities Zahi Hawass, decided to reconsider the project after international bodies expressed outrage over reports that changes could occur to this ancient monument.
The three Giza pyramids are the only surviving wonders of the seven wonders of the ancient world. Among the three pyramids, the Menkaure Pyramid was designed to be clad in granite instead of limestone. Of the original 18 granite blocks put in place during its construction, only 16 were laid before work halted due to Menkaure's apparent death around 2503 BC. Various factors, including theft and weather conditions over the centuries, led to the disappearance of many blocks, leaving only seven in the modern era, while many fallen blocks remain scattered around the base of the pyramid.
Waziri stated that the project would not commence until a year after surveys and documentation work. The committee stated in a release on Thursday that all members agreed "not to approve the reassembly of any of the granite blocks around the body of the Menkaure Pyramid, emphasizing the need to preserve the current condition of the pyramid without any additions due to its exceptional global archaeological value. The original shape of the pyramid's cladding can be inferred from the seven courses that have been in place for thousands of years."
Hawass mentioned it is impossible to know the original location of any of the granite blocks, and that reassembling the blocks would require the use of cement, which could damage the pyramid. He told Reuters, "What I want to say is don't worry; the Giza pyramids are safe, and nothing will happen to them… people everywhere are contacting me and sending me written messages and emails. They are worried. Don’t worry at all; the pyramids are safe, and no one can touch the Menkaure Pyramid."
The committee, consisting of seven members, had initially approved conducting archaeological excavations to search for boat pits at the Menkaure Pyramid similar to those next to the Khufu and Khafre pyramids, provided there are "clear and detailed scientific reasons." Hawass stated, "Archaeology says don't rush. If you rush, you will destroy the site... It is essential in any work at the pyramids site to conduct a study and inform us of what will be done."
