A viral video from last November showing a worker using a hammer, chisel, and other tools on the Great Pyramid of Giza has sparked growing outrage, leading to a statement in Egypt’s Parliament and accusations of “mismanagement” by an Egyptologist.
The footage, recorded by tourists, showed construction workers at the 4,600-year-old UNESCO World Heritage site. Egypt’s Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities responded by assuring the public that the monument had not been damaged. In a statement, the ministry urged people not to spread misinformation, clarifying that the work involved removing construction materials that had been in place for nearly two decades and held no archaeological significance. These efforts were part of a project to extend electricity to the pyramids.
Ayman Ashmawi, head of the Ancient Egyptian Antiquities Sector at the Supreme Council of Antiquities, noted that a private company carried out the work without supervision from an antiquities inspector or a restoration specialist. The controversy led MP Amira Abu Shoka to file an urgent request in Parliament, demanding an explanation from Tourism and Antiquities Minister Sherif Fathy. Abu Shoka argued that the incident harmed Egypt’s tourism industry and global image.
In response, Fathy pledged to launch an investigation. The ministry reiterated that the construction work involved updating the lighting system and removing relatively modern materials rather than altering ancient structures. However, despite these reassurances, public frustration has persisted, with Egyptologists calling for stricter adherence to international conservation guidelines, including UNESCO regulations and the Venice Charter, a 1964 agreement on monument preservation.
Egyptologist Monica Hanna identified “mismanagement” as the most significant threat to the country’s heritage. She referenced previous controversies, including a proposed plan to reinstall ancient granite cladding on the Pyramid of Menkaure, which was abandoned last February after widespread international criticism.
The backlash over the Great Pyramid incident comes as Egypt prepares to open a new visitor center at Giza, part of a large-scale redevelopment of the area costing over 1 billion Egyptian pounds (approximately $51.1 million). The project includes a new highway, as well as cafes and restaurants, raising concerns about potential impacts on the historical site.
Salima Ikram, an archaeology professor at the American University in Cairo, emphasized the importance of careful oversight for any construction work on the Giza Plateau. She warned that projects such as concrete removal, lighting installations, or other developments must be strictly monitored to prevent damage and data loss. Ikram also stressed that new buildings should be placed at a distance from the pyramids to preserve the integrity of the site’s visual and historical landscape.
