Great Pyramid summit inscriptions destroyed between 1798 and 1799, erasing centuries of graffiti. Uppermost five courses of Great Pyramid destroyed, erasing inscriptions from approximately 1395 to 1798 Edme Jama observed on January 5, 1799 that stones had recently been removed from summit Earliest surviving names near summit are Jama from 1799 and Bertier from 1633
Summit graffiti from centuries of travelers, gone! On Jan 5, 1799, Edme Jama found top stones freshly removed from the Great Pyramid. Earlier names all destroyed 😮
Key Facts
- Uppermost five courses of Great Pyramid destroyed, erasing inscriptions from approximately 1395 to 1798
- Edme Jama observed on January 5, 1799 that stones had recently been removed from summit
- Earliest surviving names near summit are Jama from 1799 and Bertier from 1633
- Jama strategically carved name five courses down on southwest corner to ensure survival
- No stones removed from pyramid since Jama's 1799 visit
- Jacques Rober witnessed intact summit in 1798 with inscriptions in German, English, Italian, and Danish
Related site: The Great Pyramid of Giza — view location, images, and history on the Ancient Nerds map.
Source: What the Great Pyramid Inscriptions Reveal by History for GRANITE