In Egypt, the plan to cover the Pyramid of Mikerinos, the smallest of the pyramids of Giza, with granite blocks has caused controversy in the country.
With the coating plan, which is expected to take three years, it is aimed to make the Mycenaean Pyramid close to its original state.
The historic structure originally consisted of 16 layers of granite blocks, but only 7 of these layers have survived to the present day.
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Mustafa Waziri, head of Egypt’s Supreme Council of Antiquities, said the restoration plan was “a gift from Egypt to the world”, arguing that the project would give modern-day visitors the opportunity to see the building in its original form.
Fierce opponents of the plan say that restoring the famous pyramid in this way is akin to “flattening the Leaning Tower of Pisa”.
Indicating that a more conservative approach is needed, Egyptologist Monica Hanna said that the focus should be on preserving the building as it is today.
“When will we put a stop to this nonsense in the management of Egypt’s historical heritage?” Hanna said, noting that internationally recognized principles of archaeological restoration generally prevent such extensive interventions.
Following objections from the archaeological world, Egypt’s Ministry of Antiquities announced the formation of a committee of experts to review the project. The committee is expected to make a final decision on the issue in the coming days.
The Pyramid of Mikerinos, which is known to have been built around 2500 BC, is estimated to be 65 meters long but shrunk over time due to erosion and human interventions.
