What kind of stone was used for the lower casing of the Pyramid of Menkaure?

Red granite was used for the lower casing of the Pyramid of Menkaure.

Menkaure’s pyramid is distinctive among the principal Giza pyramids because its lower outer casing included large blocks of red granite. The upper portion was intended to be faced with the more usual polished white Tura limestone, creating a contrast between the darker, harder lower courses and the pale upper casing.

The granite came from the Aswan region in southern Egypt, hundreds of kilometres south of Giza. Transporting it required moving extremely heavy blocks by river and then hauling them across the plateau. Granite was much more difficult to quarry and shape than limestone, so its use signalled the importance of the lower levels and the prestige of Menkaure’s monument.

Construction of the granite casing was not fully completed. Ancient builders left some blocks rough, and later vandalism and erosion removed much of the exterior. This is why modern visitors may not immediately see the intended red-granite finish. The pyramid’s core was mainly limestone, so “red granite” refers specifically to its lower casing, not to the entire monument.