During his visit to the Great Pyramid of Khufu, researcher Abbas Haddadin observed that the summit of the pyramid is still covered with remnants of a transparent, glossy gypsum layer. This material originally coated the pyramid’s apex and gave it a distinctive reflective shine under sunlight.
اضافة اعلان
These surviving gypsum traces at the top of the pyramid retain noticeable surface luster, indicating that they were part of the original outer finishing layer applied by the ancient Egyptians. Crystalline gypsum is known for its ability to reflect light with an oily brilliance, which may have caused the pyramid to appear radiant or shimmering at sunrise.
Modern physical studies show that gypsum, when exposed to prolonged sunlight and heat, undergoes surface cracking and gradually loses its natural shine due to thermal expansion and contraction. This explains why most of the original gypsum coating has disappeared from the pyramid’s sides, while traces remain in the upper areas that are less affected by weathering.
The presence of these gypsum remnants at the summit provides an important field-based clue that calls for further scientific investigation—whether in archaeological geology or in the study of ancient construction techniques—to better understand the materials used by the Egyptians and how environmental factors over thousands of years have altered their original appearance.
The picture shows the Great Pyramid of Khufu with gypsum paint on its apex.
