EGYPT: RESTORATION WORK ON THE PYRAMID OF KHAFRE (CHEFREN) FINISHES

Record ID: 211386

  • Title: EGYPT: RESTORATION WORK ON THE PYRAMID OF KHAFRE (CHEFREN) FINISHES
  • Date: 8th July 2000
  • Summary: GIZA PLATEAU, EGYPT (RECENT) (REUTERS) 1. LAS EXTERIOR CHEFREN PYRAMID 0.06 2. SLV ENTRANCE TO CHEFREN PYRAMID; TS STAIRCASES LEADING TO PYRAMID CHAMBERS (2 SHOTS) 0.19 3. TS ROOMS INSIDE CHEFERN PYRAMID 0.28 4. SLV PAN CORRIDOR LEADING TO MAIN CHAMBER; CORRIDOR AND MAIN CHAMBER; MAIN CHAMBER WITH SARCOPHAGUS; SCU PAN SARCOPHAGUS (
  • Embargoed: 23rd July 2000 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: GIZA, EGYPT
  • Country: Egypt
  • Reuters ID: LVADR2JSL0SZ7FDNRG1R9FUPVPWB
  • Story Text: Egypt's second biggest pyramid will reopen soon
    following a year-long facelift that involved scraping salt,
    lipstick and graffiti off its inner walls.

    Zahi Hawass, director of the Giza plateau where
    Egypt's three great pyramids sit, said restoration work on the
    4,500-year-old pyramid of Khafre (Chefren) had just finished
    and tourists would be treated to a more impressive display.

    Cracks were patched up using sand, water and rock chalk,
    the same building materials used by the ancient Egyptians. A
    few areas were deliberately left to show the extent of
    restoration work elsewhere.

    Cameras will now monitor tourists to catch graffiti
    artists and visitors leaving lipstick kisses and marks.

    Salt deposits resulted from the water in the breath of
    visitors, each produces about 20 grammes (two-thirds of an
    ounce).

    Hawass said a new ventilation system had been installed to
    reduce humidity and improve the air quality for visitors to
    the 136-metre (yard) high monument.

    The pyramid of Menkaure (Mycerinus), the smallest of the
    three great pyramids, is next in line for temporary closure
    under a restoration scheme begun in 1998.

    Ahead of the reopening of the Chefren pyramid, Hawass said
    a limit would be placed on the number of visitors, as when the
    great pyramid of Khufu (Cheops) reopened after restoration.

    Khufus pyramid had previously prompted safety concerns
    when it attracted more than 4,000 visitors a day.


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