Pyramids return to origins – Kommersant FM
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One of the Egyptian pyramids will change its appearance, we are talking about the monument to Menkaure, the smallest tomb of the entire complex in Giza. It was built 4.5 thousand years ago, and now they began to cover the pyramid with granite slabs, supposedly to give it its original appearance. However, local residents were outraged by the restoration attempt; they do not consider it advisable, pointing out that the ancient stone was already well preserved.
Nevertheless, work is already underway; this is a joint Egyptian-Japanese archaeological mission. The restoration has already been called the project of the century and a gift to the whole world. “Kommersant FM” contacted the guide in Egypt Said Salama, and he did not agree with this thesis:
“Visiting the pyramids is simply a must if you come to Egypt for the first time, this is one of the seven wonders of the world, this is our civilization, and no one can touch this pyramid. I work in tourism, and this whole situation seems anecdotal to me. If this renovation project goes ahead, who will be interested in looking at our monuments? People want to see evidence of ancient civilization as it is, unaltered.”
Users of social networks were also dissatisfied with the work; they compared the restoration with the desecration of the pyramid and called on the Egyptian authorities “not to make Disneyland out of an ancient heritage.” However, leading researcher at the Center for Egyptological Research of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Roman Orekhov, considers the cladding extremely necessary:
“There is no remake here, because all these blocks are authentic. The facing stones of the Menkaure pyramid are located at its base, that is, if you do normal computer modeling, you can put them in their original place. Then the space that is located under the pyramid can be further explored using archaeological methods. Perhaps there we will find a lot of additional sources on the period of the Old Kingdom, when all this was built.
You need to understand that no one plans to cover the entire pyramid, but only as much material as they find during the excavation process. It is possible that some layers of cladding lie lower; if events develop favorably, it will be possible to restore 70-80%. Now the implementation period is estimated at three years, I think this is a very realistic forecast.
If this cladding is not done, the pyramid will gradually begin to crumble, because it is made of low-quality limestone. Due to erosion, rain, wind, and exposure to sand, it turns into dust. For example, such work cannot be carried out categorically on the pyramids of Khufu and Khafre, because all the original cladding was removed, and the covering of the Menkaure pyramid lies here, nearby.
By the way, about a third of Khufu’s pyramid has already been treated with some kind of polymer materials so that small abrasive materials that the wind brings from the desert do not penetrate into the limestone.”
The Pyramid of Menkaure is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The organization said it knew nothing about the restoration of the property and was awaiting additional information from local authorities.
Everything is clear with us – Telegram channel “Kommersant FM”.
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