After controversy surrounding the renovation of the Pyramid of Mycarinos, Egypt revised its copy

The renovation of the pyramid of Mycarinos on the Giza plateau has sparked controversy. Egypt’s Ministry of Antiquities and Tourism announced on Saturday 3 February that it has formed a study committee to analyze the project.

A week ago, the head of Egyptian antiquities, Mustafa Waziri, released a video showing workers setting granite blocks at the base of the lowest of the three pyramids at Giza. Immediately, many Egyptologists and Egyptologists stood up, condemning the attack on the heritage and calling on UNESCO and academics to mobilize.

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Trying to downplay the debate in a country where the tourism sector accounts for 10% of GDP, the ministry announced that “High Level Scientific Committee chaired by Zahi Hawass“The country’s very media Egyptologists, were going to study this renovation project”with Egyptian, American, Czech and German engineering and archeology experts” “A decision will be taken whether to undertake this renovation project or not.», supports the Ministry, clarifying that the committee also has to take care “Necessary action for coordination with UNESCO” At the foot of the Mycarinos pyramid, however, AFP journalists have already noted that work was underway during the last week.

When it was built, the base of the Mycarinos pyramid was covered with granite. Over time, it has lost part of its covering. The current project aims to restore this layer of granite to restore the pyramid to its original appearance. The question of heritage preservation in Egypt – home to the Cheops Pyramid, the only one of the Seven Wonders of Antiquity still visible today – is often hotly debated.

The recent destruction of entire sections of historic Cairo has strongly mobilized a civil society almost barred from political activity and which now focuses much of the fight against the regime on the areas of town planning and heritage.