Page 145 - اثار مصر الفرعونية2

the pyramid core is made up of locally quarried limestone blocks
of approximately equal height. Nearby to the north of they
pyramid, one may still clearly see the traces of how these blocks
were quarried. The blocks were not laid with the care that was
given to the core of Khufu's pyramid, for the layers do not always
run exactly horizontally, and the joints are at times very wide.
Often, there is no mortar between the blocks. In fact, because the
four corner angles were not quite aligned correctly to meet the
pyramid apex, there is a very slight twist at the top.

The base levels of the casing were made of pink granite,
while the higher layers, which become much smaller towards the
top (about one cubit thick) are of fine Turah limestone. The
outside faces of the casing blocks are often staggered by a few
millimeters rather than flush, which may mean that they were
faced prior to their placement. While the pyramidion and the
apex have been lost, at the top of the pyramid, a small portion of
the original casing remains in place, which helps us see how the
finishing blocks were laid and bound to the pyramid core.
However, because it is clear that the remaining casing is eroding,
recent investigations by Italian experts have shown that the
remaining corner edges of the mantle are not completely straight.
Individual blocks are slightly turned in various directions. An
analysis of this peculiarity suggests that this was the result of
seismic activity. Small earthquakes were not uncommon in

045