EGYPT-SAQQARA PYRAMID Pyramid collapse caused by erosion - says renovation manager

Record ID: 645098

  • Title: EGYPT-SAQQARA PYRAMID Pyramid collapse caused by erosion - says renovation manager
  • Date: 18th September 2014
  • Summary: CAIRO, EGYPT (SEPTEMBER 16, 2014) (REUTERS) WIDE OF SAQQARA PYRAMID, 30KM SOUTH OF CAIRO VARIOUS OF CONSTRUCTION SCAFFOLDING'S ON PYRAMID WOODEN SCAFFOLDING WOODEN RAMP AND SCAFFOLDING ON THE SURFACE OF PYRAMID COLLAPSED PART OF PYRAMID (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) EXECUTIVE MANAGER OF PYRAMID OF DJOSER RESTORATION PROJECT, MICHEL FAREED GHOBRIAL, SAYING: "The main problem was in the pyramid's basement. The basement was destroyed. The four faces of the pyramid were partially collapsed. The side surface was damaged the most. Below the pyramid there are passageways that reach the depth of 28 meters and the length of about 1800 meters. Most of it had damages." SAQQARA PYRAMID / VIEW OF THREE DAHSHUR PYRAMIDS IN BACKGROUND PYRAMID SURFACE GOVERNMENTAL OFFICIALS ARRIVING VARIOUS OF PEOPLE ENTERING PYRAMID WALKING SHOT INSIDE PYRAMID PASSAGEWAY JOURNALISTS GATHERED IN PYRAMID'S BASEMENT (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) EGYPT'S MINISTER OF ANTIQUITIES, MAMDOUH ALDAMATY, SAYING: "We are inside the Pyramid of Djoser. We are now inside the basement room. The scaffolding that we are standing on is 28 meters above the King's tomb. 430 square meters of dust was removed. That means 850 tons, which is a huge amount. It cleaned the pyramid and was not harmful to the area. The passageway that you entered from and the basement - this is what people claimed to have collapsed. Here you are, and there is nothing at all." VIEW OF PYRAMID EXIT DOOR JOURNALIST STANDING OUTSIDE EXIT DOOR EXTERIOR OF PYRAMID STONE WALL VARIOUS OF CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT BY THE PYRAMID SUN SHINING OVER THE PYRAMID
  • Embargoed: 3rd October 2014 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Egypt
  • Country: Egypt
  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVAB49L92FFFGY49CM5B89CBS3GL
  • Story Text: Upon the first glance, Saqqara - the oldest complete stone building complex known to man - is covered with modern scaffoldings as repair work is carried out. But the restoration project has created heated controversy over the past few weeks as activists claim that the pyramid is being destroyed rather than restored.
    The allegations, first appeared on social media, accused the construction company responsible for the project of demolishing the pyramid's surface. Other rumours followed, saying modern walls were being built around the pyramid, destroying its authenticity.
    The man leading the project disputed the allegations, saying "erosion" was the reason why parts of the pyramid had collapsed..
    "The main problem was in the pyramid's basement. The basement was destroyed. The four faces of the pyramid partially collapsed. The side surface was damaged the most. Below the pyramid there are passageways that reach the depth of 28 meters and the length of about 1800 meters. Most of it had damages," said Michel Fareed Ghobria, executive manager of the Pyramid of Djoser restoration project.
    The pyramid was built for Djoser - one of the kings of the third Pharaonic dynasty that ruled Egypt between 2686BC and 2613BC.
    In 2008, the Supreme Council of Antiquities launched the start of a Japanese-American project to document the pyramid's holographic three-dimensional image, to review its condition and the status of the stone blocks. The project was delayed after the 2011 popular revolt that ended the reign of former President Hosni Mubarak.
    In an attempt to disprove these allegations, the Minister of Antiquities Mamdouh Al Damaty invited journalists to Saqqara for a tour inside the pyramid on Tuesday (September 16).
    The media followed Damaty through the pyramid's narrow passageway to the basement, which he said had suffered the most damage.
    "We are inside the Pyramid of Djoser. We are now inside the basement room. The scaffolding that we are standing on is 28 meters above the King's tomb. 430 square meters of dust was removed. That means 850 tons, which is a huge amount. It cleaned the pyramid and was not harmful to the area," said Damaty.
    "The passageway that you entered from and the basement - this is what people claimed to have collapsed. Here you are, and there is nothing at all," he added.
    The project - plagued by hurdles ever since its announcement - does not yet have a completion date but is expected to attract tourists and history enthusiasts once the restoration is finished.
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