Old-Time Splendor
When most people think of Egypt’s pyramids, they see old, dusty, sand-colored structures. But that wasn’t how they looked when they were first built. They were covered in white, polished limestone for about a thousand years. They would have been a sight to behold during the day, reflecting sunlight. Furthermore, the Great Pyramid was topped with a golden capstone, which completed the overall appearance.
Old Time Splendor
The Lost Limestone
The original splendor of the pyramids was due to their magnificent polished limestone coverings, but what happened to them? It couldn’t have faded spontaneously, could it? The answer can be found on the other side of the Nile, in Old Cairo. The city was built in 969 CE, and the builders desired limestone to cover the new structures. What exactly did they do? They took it from the pyramids and utilized it to create their houses out of repurposed materials. Yes, that’s where all of that lovely limestone ended up!
The Lost Limestone
