3 ms·

I would love to see the gleaming pyramids! But I can’t help but think of Cecilia Giménez’s well-intentioned repair of Ecce Homo (the Jesus fresco). For histori

I would love to see the gleaming pyramids! But I can’t help but think of Cecilia Giménez’s well-intentioned repair of Ecce Homo (the Jesus fresco). For historical sites with any mystery, even a restoration done with skill and care would create some fiction while destroying evidence that could be used in the future. Earlier eras were filled with this kind of sanctioned, inquisitive vandalism - the Victorian fascination with mummies is especially relevant. There’s a lot we won’t ever learn because of that early enthusiasm. I’m not advocating doing nothing with historical sites. I’m just more comfortable with preservation than reconstruction that replaces the original. If they want to build a brand new set of pyramids, using original construction methods and designed to match, just do it off to the side a little bit and I’m all for it.

neuronic 5y ago
The important thing is that we learn all that we possibly can from the ancient structures. Then, I would agree with restoring and maximally using these structures for modern purposes. If ancient Egypt persisted, the pyramids would have changed as well. Change shape, color, purpose. Who knows. Change is integral to life and trying to keep something the same for millenia just for the sake of not changing it, is unnatural. But alas, we don't know what we don't know. This is the major argument in the way of ever abandoning these structures as archeological sites and to shift them to modern use.