TV show will feature Newport firm's work on Pyramids of Egypt (From South Wales Argus)

TV show will feature Newport firm's work on Pyramids of Egypt

8:53pm Wednesday 20th February 2013 in News

WORK by a Newport engineering firm to save the world's oldest pyramid will be the subject of a television documentary.

The Argus reported how Cintec International Ltd, based at Goldtops, was enlisted to restore the ceiling of the burial chamber of Egypt's Pyramid of Djoser which was at risk of collapse following an earthquake in 1992.

Now the ongoing project will be televised on the National Geographic Channel in the documentary 'Saving Egypt's Oldest Pyramid".

The 40-minute programme will feature both filming in the Newport office as well as filming of the Pyramid and the work being done.

The 27th century BC Step Pyramid, as it is also known, was built for Pharaoh Djoser by the architect Imhotep.

Work on the Newport firm's £1.8million project began in January 2011 and the first phase is expected to be completed in the next four to five weeks.

Work has seen the roof chamber's existing stones pointed with a lime-based grout after the mud and soil had been carefully removed.

This allowed the firm to carefully diamond drill and install anchors, which are surrounded with a special fabric sock, three and a half metres into the burial chamber ceiling.

Many large airbags, which were supporting the ceiling while the work was carried out, have now been removed leaving only the smaller bags at the perimeter of the chamber.

Managing director of Cintec International Ltd, Peter James said when all the anchors are in place, a fine stainless steel mesh will be attached to them finally pinning the whole surface of the ceiling.

Cintec engineers have a wealth of experience in this field of work having already worked on Giza's Red Pyramid, as well as hundreds of other high profile sites across the world including Windsor Castle and The White House complex in Washington DC.

Speaking about the programme, Mr James said: "We are very excited about it."

The programme will be aired on the National Geographic Channel on March 2 at 8pm, March 3 at 8am and March 4 at 1pm.