http://www.gizapyramids.org/pdf%20libra ... 3_1997.pdf
The use of the Giza Pyramids as a convenient stone quarry during the New Kingdom is well documented. The "Dream Stele" of Tuthmosis IV is carved on a reused lintel from Khafra's upper
temple, and the masonry used to repair the Sphinx at this time may well have come from the nearby
causeway. Granite casing blocks, probably from Giza, were used by Ramesses II's builders in the
West Hall of the Temple of Ptah at Memphis.
Elsewhere, May, the overseer of works in the reign of Ramesses II, left several steles in the vicinity
of Giza, and was brnen enough to leave his name twice on the rock face at the north-west
comer of Khafra's pyramid enclosure (6
). The shorter inscription gives his name and the title: "Overseer
of Work in the Temple of Ra". The longer one, written on May's behalf by his assistant, Pamenyon,
states that he was the "Overseer of Works in the building 'Brilliant is Ramesses Meryamon'
in the great house of the prince". This building seems to have been an addition of Ramesses II to the
main sanctuary of the sun god of Heliopolis (7
) and it has been assumed that May was involved in
removing granite from Khafra's pyramid for reuse in this building project.
Thus it may well have been May's men who were responsible for the reworking of stones at
Menkaure's pyramid, including our granite pair-statue. As was usual with large sculptures or architectural
pieces, the shapes were roughed-out in the quarry in order to minimise the weight before
transportation; the final details and polishing would not be done until they arrived at their final destination.
The inscriptions on the Giza plateau make no mention of actual quarrying but the archaeological
evidence of blocks being cut up for reuse is incontrovertible. May's association with the
Temple of the sun-god at Heliopolis is recorded on various stelae as well as on the two rock-cut
inscriptions, and as no large temple of the sun-god has been found in the immediate vicinity of Giza,
it is extremely likely that these blocks were destined for Heliopolis. This destination also agrees with
the identification of this pair-statue as a representation of Ramesses II and the god Re-Atum, one of
the chief forms of the sun-god whose centre of worship was at Heliopolis.