Renovation of Egypt’s Menkaure Pyramid draws criticism
Plans to restore Giza’s Menkaure Pyramid spark controversy, as experts question the project’s adherence to international conservation standards
Egypt’s plan to restore the Pyramid of Menkaure, which is one of the iconic Great Pyramids of Giza, has stirred controversy.
The project, led by the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities and a Japanese team, aims to restore the pyramid to its original state. Its head, Mostafa Waziri, describes it as Egypt’s monumental gift to the world.
The restoration focuses on the pyramid’s granite casing, with only seven of the original 16 blocks currently intact. This initiative has faced scrutiny from experts and the public. Egyptologist Salima Ikram expressed her concerns on social media, noting, “Ideas about restoration and conservation change a great deal.”
Ibrahem Badr, an expert in archaeological restoration, stressed the importance of following international conventions for restoration and wrote, “Someone needs to read the international conventions for restoration and dealing with Egyptian antiquities.”
The project is set to last three years and involves detailed processes like drawing, photogrammetry and laser scanning. A video showcasing the renovation provoked criticism online. Egyptologist Monica Hanna labeled the effort “absurd,” highlighting that “All international principles on renovations prohibit such interventions.” Public reactions have been mixed, with some resorting to sarcasm while others showing outright opposition.
Egypt’s heritage management has been a matter of discussion for several years. Recent controversies, including the destruction in Cairo’s historic areas and contentious renovations like those at Alexandria’s Abu al-Abbas al-Mursi mosque, are closely followed by archeologists all over the world.
Source: Newsroom
