Straightening the Tower of Pisa - At what point do we restore ancient monuments and when do we let them deteriorate?

[JohnS]

Below is an interesting article about Egypt's plan to restore the granite casing to the Pyramid of Menkaure, one of the pyramids at Giza. Originally, it had 16 layers of granite, but only seven remain today. The pyramids at Giza were also once encased in Limestone, which meant that they shone like mirrors in the desert and could be seen from a long distance. Should we re-encase them in limestone too, perhaps?

The restoration is meant to coincide with the opening of the grand Egyptian Museum this year after 20 years. Critics have been scathing, comparing the project to restore the pyramid with 'straightening the tower of Pisa' in Italy.

Yet, I recall reading about artefacts being fully restored such as Leonardo Da Vinci's 'Last Supper' mural painting in Milan (in the 1970s). At what point do we restore these ancient monuments, or artefacts, and when do we let them deteriorate? Maybe, just maybe...personally speaking, I'm not quite sure what the fuss is about! 

Uproar as Egypt starts rebuilding Giza pyramid with new granite blocks

Magdy Samaan

January 30, 2024 

A plan to cover a Giza pyramid with granite cladding has been called “absurd” after its proponents promised it would deliver “a gift from Egypt to the world”.

The project aims to restore the Pyramid of Menkaure, the smallest of the three pyramids at Giza, to its original glory over a three-year period.

Workers watch as a stone is lifted by a crane during a conservation project by the base of the Pyramid of Menkaure.CREDIT:AFP

The structure was originally cased in 16 layers of granite blocks, but only seven remain today.

Their restoration, which has sparked controversy among archaeologists and Egyptologists, has been hailed by supporters of the plan as a historic move to restore a wonder of the ancient world.

Mostafa Waziri, the head of Egypt’s Supreme Council of Antiquities, said the project would offer modern visitors a glimpse of the structure’s original magnificence.

He has described the plan as “a gift from Egypt to the world”. It is set to coincide with the opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum, which is expected to open later this year, more than 20 years after construction began.

The Pyramid of Menkaure (highlighted) in Giza.CREDIT:GETTY

However, the project has drawn sharp disapproval from some quarters, with some critics likening it to “straightening the Tower of Pisa”.

Monica Hanna, an Egyptologist, questioned the need for the cladding and demanded a more conservative approach be adopted – one focused on preserving the structure as it is today, rather than attempting to recreate its original appearance.

“When are we going to stop the absurdity in the management of Egyptian heritage?” she said, arguing that international principles of archaeological restoration generally prohibit such extensive interventions.

In response to the criticism, the Egyptian Ministry of Antiquities said it had formed a committee of experts to examine the project, throwing its future into uncertainty. It is expected to issue a verdict on the plan in the coming days.

Zahi Hawass, also an Egyptologist, said roughly a third of the Menkaure pyramid was originally clad with granite layers.

It was never fully encased because of the demise of Menkaure, the pharaoh of the Fourth Dynasty that the pyramid was named after.

Built about 2500BC, the Pyramid of Menkaure originally stood some 65 metres tall. Over time, it has been gradually whittled away by erosion and vandalism.

Construction of new museum

The plan to restore its granite cladding forms part of a larger “project of the century” initiative to develop the Giza pyramids area, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the world’s most iconic archaeological destination.

The broader plan includes building the Grand Egyptian Museum, upgrading local infrastructure, and establishing new and improved visitor facilities.

Cairo has touted the museum as the largest in the world devoted to a single civilisation. A vast structure near the Giza pyramids that has been under construction since 2005, its opening has been repeatedly delayed.

Officials hope the $US1.2 billion ($1.82 billion) attraction will provide a major boost for Egypt’s tourism industry, a crucial source of foreign currency and jobs for the country’s struggling economy, once it finally opens its doors.

The issue of heritage preservation in Egypt is often the subject of heated debate.

Recent destruction of entire areas of Cairo’s historic area led to powerful mobilisations by civil society groups, many of which are largely banned from political activity and now concentrate the bulk of their disputes with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi’s government on urban planning and heritage issues.

The debate has lately focused on the 15th-century Abu al-Abbas al-Mursi mosque in the coastal city of Alexandria, Egypt’s second largest.

Local authorities announced an investigation after a contractor in charge of renovation decided to redecorate the ornate, carved and coloured ceilings of the city’s largest mosque using white paint.

The Telegraph, London

Source: https://www.smh.com.au/world/africa/uproar-as-egypt-starts-rebuilding-giza-pyramid-with-new-granite-blocks-20240130-p5f15j.html

[MrBirdman]

Why not just build a new pyramid using only historical methods and techniques (just actually paying the workers rather than using slaves). 

Guédelon Castle has been a huge tourist success, in part because it’s taken so damn long to build. It’s a medieval castle being built only using the materials and technology of the time. Very interesting project. 

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guédelon_Castle

[99call]

Within conservation. You have a sort of needle gauge.

- Preventative Conservation. This is affectively minimal intervention. Pest management. Stabilising objects. Environmental monitoring. Slowing deterioration. Etc etc. this is often the measure when the object is so fragile. Interventive conservation would likely cause more damage than good.

- Conservation. In the material of the object is stable, efforts can be made to maximise its condition to a point, whereby it has the best chance of standing the test of time. Huge amounts of digital information capture goes on, for all sorts of other researchers. When it comes to treatment the idea of 'reversibility' is key. The profession is about 80yrs old. The materials science is still a work in progress. Conservators should not commit to a course of action or methodology, that can't in some part be reversed.

-Restoration. Interventive/Intrusive treatments on objects that are either mechanical. Contemporary. Or incredibly robust. Or stand no chance of salvage without desperate measures.

 

Recladding the pyramids is horrific. The way that masonry interacts, means that the softer stone or mortar is usually sacrificial to the harder stone. The adding of the fresh stone could dramatically affect the condition of the old stone. 

Somebody needs a check up from the neck up.

[TheGipper]

This "artist" has some opinions on the topic...

[99call]

4 minutes ago, TheGipper said:

This "artist" has some opinions on the topic

Wasn't she the chapel cleaner?

[El Presidente]

...why not just build apartments? 

[Fuzz]

Want to improve visitors experience at the pyramids? Get rid of all the scammers that hang around waiting to fleece tourists.

[99call]

6 hours ago, Fuzz said:

Want to improve visitors experience at the pyramids? Get rid of all the scammers that hang around waiting to fleece tourists.

There's no fun if you don't have to run the gauntlet. 

I've found the word "Khalas" usually cuts to the quick in Arabic speaking countries. I.e. enough or it's finished. 

 

6 hours ago, El Presidente said:

...why not just build apartments? 

What with mummies in them? 

[Fuzz]

6 hours ago, 99call said:

What with mummies in them? 

Depends on what kind of mummies we're talking about.

[Cigar Surgeon]

13 hours ago, Fuzz said:

Depends on what kind of mummies we're talking about.

? 

[Puros Y Vino]

Preserve what's there I say. Don't build anything on to them. With that said, I do think some ruins should be restored to a point where their pieces are in the right place. I think of all the sites with knocked down columns, etc that just sit where they fell. Put them back. Let our imaginations fill in the gaps.

[Drguano]

I saw the title of this thread and it occurred to me that I haven't seen any mention of Ken lately. Is everything ok at home?

[99call]

12 hours ago, Drguano said:

I saw the title of this thread and it occurred to me that I haven't seen any mention of Ken lately. Is everything ok at home?

Ha!

Don't worry, he was on here the other day demanding to re-introduction the guillotine for a pair of people advocating for food standards. I think he's very much alive and still dangerous. 

[Ken Gargett]

fear not, i'm here. the govt shut down of legitimate websites (speaking of the need for a clean guillotine) means i can only get on the site for short bursts. 

[Arabian]

On 1/31/2024 at 10:09 AM, Fuzz said:

Want to improve visitors experience at the pyramids? Get rid of all the scammers that hang around waiting to fleece tourists.

Hey, do you want to ride a donkey around the pyramids?. Special price for you my friend. Only $99.99. unfortunately you’ll have to take it. 

Those people are on police payroll, the military runs the show over there.