Menkaure's pyramid originally had 16 courses of granite casing stones. About 8 remain intact on the north side and 8 on the south side. The lower quarter was uniquely cased in granite.
Menkaure pyramid uniquely cased in 16 courses of granite
EgyptArchitecture
Key facts
- Menkaure's pyramid is the smallest of the three famous pyramids at Giza
- It is uniquely cased in granite in the lower quarter of height
- Originally had precisely 16 courses of granite casing stones
- Eight courses remain intact on the north side (bottom course buried)
- Eight courses intact on south side
- Small section up to course 11 intact on west side
- Only two small sections have smooth finished appearance: northern entrance patch and eastern face patch inside mortuary temple
- Paper incorrectly claims only seven rows remain and 16-18 courses originally - error attributed to Zahi Hawas
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