An archaeological committee consisting of archaeologists from the Supreme Council of Antiquities and Egyptian universities will meet this week to discuss the accuracy of a recent study claiming to have an exact date for the construction of the Great Pyramid at Giza.
Led by Dr. Abdel-Halim Nureddin, one of Egypt's most distinguished archaeologists, the study established that work on Khufu's pyramid was started on 23 August, 2470 BC.
According to Nureddin, the date was reached using "historical facts and astronomical calculations."
The claim has been backed by Giza governor Sayyed Abdel Aziz, who organized the research project. He told reporters that the 23rd of August will now be celebrated as National Giza Day.
But Dr. Zahi Hawass, chief of Egypt's Supreme Council of Antiquities, called for further discussion.
"Determining the exact day of building the Great Pyramid is a national and very important scientific issue which must be accurately studied and discussed in order to reach the exact day,” Dr. Hawass, chief of Egypt's Supreme Council of Antiquities, said in a statement.
"The committee will discuss the reasoning behind this claim, thus setting the date of the National Holiday, " Dr. Hawass said.
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