What material formed the Great Pyramid of Giza’s original smooth outer casing?

Tura limestone formed the Great Pyramid of Giza’s original smooth outer casing.

The casing stones came from quarries at Tura, across the Nile from the Giza plateau. Unlike the rougher core blocks visible today, these pale limestone blocks were carefully cut and fitted to create a smooth, bright surface that reflected sunlight.

The casing helped give the pyramid its finished geometric appearance and contributed to its original height of about 146.6 metres. Most of it was removed over later centuries, including for construction in Cairo, and earthquakes also dislodged some stones. A small amount of casing remains near the base.

Granite was used elsewhere in the pyramid, especially in internal chambers and passages, but it did not form the main outer covering. The pyramid’s core consisted chiefly of locally quarried limestone, making the distinction between core stone, casing stone, and granite important.