16 pieces of granite covered the pyramid of Menkaure, but only seven pieces remain on its structure (French)

The announcement by the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities a few days ago of its project to re-cover the smaller pyramid, the “Pyramid of Menkaure” (Menkaure), with fallen granite around it, sparked controversy of an archaeological nature, among those who see it as “the largest puzzle game in history,” during which the fallen granite stones will be matched with the pyramid’s stones according to He restores it to its old form, and another trend that represents the majority sees it as removing the ancient cloak of the pyramid.

While each team drew its weapons using texts from international conventions that Egypt was committed to implementing, both of them missed the scientific dimension that might resolve the issue in favor of rejecting the project, even if its implementation is permissible from an archaeological standpoint.

From an archaeological standpoint, the head of the Supreme Council of Antiquities in Egypt, Mostafa Waziri, believes that the project - which he described as “Egypt’s gift to the world” - will provide contemporary visitors with a glimpse of the splendor of the original structure of the pyramid, which was composed of 16 layers of granite blocks, of which only remains today. Seven layers.

A small number of archaeologists and those interested in heritage supported him, including historian and writer Bassam Al-Shamaa, who, in an interview with Al-Jazeera Net, described the re-covering of the pyramid with granite as “the largest Basel game in history,” and said that “a large sector of the naysayers is settling personal scores by objecting to the project.” Without relying on logical opinions.

On the other hand, most of the archaeological community objected to the project, and Egyptologist Monica Hanna called for adopting a more conservative approach that focused on preserving the structure as it is today, rather than trying to recreate its original appearance.

She described the project as “tampering with the management of Egyptian heritage,” stressing that “international principles for archaeological restoration generally prohibit such large-scale interventions.”

What is striking is that no one cared about the scientific aspect of the project. Does returning granite to the pyramid affect its structural integrity or not? This is the question that Al Jazeera Net sought to answer through a group of specialists who set legitimate scientific questions and stressed the importance of answering them before making the decision to approve or reject.

Head of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, Mustafa Waziri (center), while announcing the project to re-cover the Pyramid of Menkaure (Facebook)

Evaluate the current situation

The questions set by the experts were based on an assessment of the current situation of the region, which was included in many studies, including a study by Sayed Hamida, an expert specializing in geotechnical engineering at the Faculty of Archeology at Cairo University, which was prepared in cooperation with an expert from the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities.

According to the study published about 3 years ago in the journal “Heritage Sciences,” the Great Pyramids area in Giza was threatened by an aquifer covering an area below the Pyramid Plateau and the Sphinx, where the depth of the groundwater ranges between 4 and 7 meters, and that layer is mainly recharged. Through the water network and urban expansion in general.

The study showed that there is deterioration in many parts of the three pyramids linked to the aging of materials and the influence of weather and water factors, and this affected the limestone blocks supporting the pyramids, many of which were subjected to separation.

The study also focused on the layers of granite that still cover the smaller pyramid (seven layers), and pointed out that the apparent deterioration of the granite blocks that cover the pyramid is a complex process resulting from the interaction of many related factors such as the climatic conditions of the region, and the rise in groundwater levels resulting from leakage. Water from suburban irrigation canals, and the extensive urbanization surrounding the Giza Pyramids.

In addition, there are some forms of weathering (the process of disintegration and decomposition of rocks and minerals by prevailing weather factors) that affect granite blocks, and other decomposition factors for silicate minerals present in granite blocks are chemically or biologically related to weathering rates, as granite blocks mainly consist of complex types of Those metals dyed with iron oxide.

5 legitimate questions

Based on this current description of the area and its problems, the expert specializing in restoration at the Faculty of Archeology, Alminia University (Southern Egypt), Muhammad Al-Shazly, believes in a telephone interview with Al Jazeera Net that one of the questions that must be answered before implementing this project is: “Has the case been studied?” What is the current analysis of the granite blocks that still exist in terms of the weathering factors to which they were exposed, the clear effects of deterioration on them, and the structural problems that exist in them? Is it more beneficial to restore the existing ones well or restore the fallen blocks?

The second question relates to the sustainability of this project, which is: “Have the environmental conditions of the region been studied, including climate, groundwater levels and other external factors, and the extent of their impact on the sustainability of this proposed intervention?”

As for the third question, it relates to the minerals found in the granite. Has the percentage of minerals in the fallen granite been evaluated, and the extent to which there are differences between it and the granite that still covers the pyramid, and is there a possibility of an interaction occurring between the minerals present in the granite and the body of the pyramid?

An expert specializing in the restoration of antiquities at the Egyptian Ministry of Antiquities, who requested that his name not be published, points out two other questions related to the current condition of the pyramid, as there is deterioration in parts of it linked to the aging of materials and the influence of weather and water factors. Will the layer of granites represent an additional burden on the antiquity?

He says: “This problem did not exist, of course, at the time the pyramid was built, but with the progress of time this question must be asked, as granite can have different rates of expansion and contraction in response to changes in temperature and humidity, and this difference can lead to pressure on the body.” pyramid, which may lead to cracks or other forms of damage over time.”

The last question raised by the Ministry of Antiquities expert concerns the possibility of granite absorbing and retaining moisture. “Has this element been reviewed in the parts that currently cover the pyramid? It is known that granite can absorb and retain moisture, which may create a moist micro-environment around the artifact that leads to mold or mold growth.” Other forms of degradation.

A committee to decide the fate of the project

Experts demand that these scientific questions be taken into account by the committee that Egyptian Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Ahmed Issa decided to form, headed by former Minister of Antiquities Zahi Hawass, to resolve the fate of this project, after the archaeological controversy it sparked.

Al-Shazly says: “In my opinion, answering the scientific questions raised should be one of the committee’s priorities, because it may decide the trend toward canceling this project, even if it is acceptable from an archaeological standpoint.”

Hawass refused to express his opinion about the project, saying in press statements: “I cannot say anything at all until after the committee finishes its work.”

The committee, which includes Arab and foreign engineers and archaeologists, is scheduled to prepare a detailed scientific report on the results of its work, the conclusions of the scientific review, and take a decision on whether to proceed with the project or not, provided that the report includes all procedures and steps that must be followed for the required coordination with... United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in this regard.

Source: Al Jazeera