Egypt abandons plan to renovate one of the pyramids of Giza

“The project of the century,” argued Mostafa Waziri, secretary general of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, finally fell through a little over a month after the start of the work. Faced with the numerous reluctances expressed throughout the world, "the examination committee of the Mykerinos pyramid (formed by the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism) unanimously opposed the reinstallation of the granite blocks, scattered around the base of the pyramid for thousands of years,” he said in a statement Thursday, February 15.

The controversy began at the end of January following the publication of a video, by Mostafa Waziri, showing workers aligning granite blocks on the base of the lowest of the three pyramids of Giza. The goal of the project was to replace several layers of granite blocks, which had collapsed over time or been stolen. Many Egyptologists and Egyptians then rose up, denouncing an attack on heritage and calling on UNESCO and academics to mobilize.

Under the video, dozens of scandalized commentators: “Not possible!”, replies Egyptologist Monica Hanna on Facebook. “All that was missing was to tile the pyramid of Mykerinos! When are we going to stop the absurdity in the management of Egyptian heritage?”, she writes again.

Zahi Hawass, a former minister of antiquities who headed the committee, says it is impossible to determine where each granite block originally stood. On top of that, it would also require cement to reinstall them, which would ruin the pyramid. “There is no need to worry, the pyramids of Giza are safe and nothing will happen to them,” he told Reuters.

The review committee therefore ordered the end of the renovation work but still gave its agreement to excavate the boat pits of the Mykerinos pyramid, but only after a “clear and detailed scientific study”.