Menkaure pyramid uniquely cased in 16 courses of granite. 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
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.
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
Related site: Pyramid of Djoser — view location, images, and history on the Ancient Nerds map.
Source: Where Does the New Pyramid Void Lead? by History for GRANITE