Early last month, Egypt's Supreme Council of Antiquities announced plans to restore the Menkaure pyramid located in Giza. The outside of the pyramid will be covered again with granite material as it was originally several thousand years ago with this project will take three years. Immediately after the announcement was made, this effort received criticism from Egyptian archaeologists and the world.
Yesterday, the spokesperson of the Menkaure Pyramid Committee, Dr Zahi Hawass insisted that the plan to rehabilitate the pyramid was canceled after hearing the opinions of various parties. Dr Hawass who is a former Egyptian Antiquities Minister said he had received hundreds of messages calling for the project to be canceled shortly after it was announced.
Menkaure is a unique pyramid because it is the only one with an outer surface made of granite. Other pyramids use sandstone material. The construction of Menkaure was never completed due to the death of Pharaoh Menkaure in 2503 BC. Only 18 granite floors were successfully installed before the weathering process leaving only 7 visible today.