The Near-Destruction of Giza

An interesting article by Jean-Daniel Stanley was published on the American Scientist website:

“Few visitors to the Giza plateau are aware that the pyramids, Egypt’s Old Kingdom treasures and testaments to early pharaonic history, were almost dismantled about 170 years ago. It is hard to imagine that these ancient structures, the most popular tourist sights in Egypt, were nearly sacrificed as part of the plan to modernize that country. Yet, shocking as the idea now seems, Egypt’s absolute ruler at the time seriously envisioned and nearly executed the project. To understand what transpired, and to place this story in historic context, one must return to early 19th-century Egypt.” [...]

Continue reading the article at the American Scientist website

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