DOI article:
Griffith, Francis Ll.: Progress of Egyptology, [1]: Archaeology, hieroglyphic studies, etc.
DOI Page / Citation link: https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.12422#0031
Arciiaeology, Hieroglypiiic Studies, Etc.
17
" Dr. Boeder finished Bit el-Waly, wliere lie lias becn making most
careful and elaborate records of the scènes and inscriptions, and commenced
Dakka. M. Gauthier devoted himself to Àmada and broughtlus work to
a close early in March. M. Barsanti, in the course of a great clearance of
the sand at the Abu Simbel temples, opened up a liitherto unknown
chamber ; it contained among other things some fine statues of cyno-
céphalus apes. But I can glve no détails as the finds were only just being
set up in the muséum at Cairo when I left for England in May. M.
Barsanti has cleared the front of the great temple of débris, and it
presented a very fine appearance from the river as I passed it in the
express steamer from Halfa. At Bîga he has removed ail the accumulated
rubbish and the buts that blocked up the temple, and has besides furnished
the temple with a new cément terraceand a flight of steps leàding up from
the river."
From Mr. Weigall (regarding his province of Upper Egypt): —
" I had the great advantage of liaving Mr. Alan Gardiner with me last
September and October, and by his help great strides were made in the
work of locating and safeguarding the tombs of the nobles at Thebes.
Prof. Percy Newberry, who was also with me for a while, very generously
gave us as much information as he could regarding thèse tombs amongst
which he has done so much work in the past. Moreover Mr. Eobert Moxd
had invited me to bring out, at his expense, an Euglishman who should
conduct the work of repairing and listing the tombs ; and I was fbrtunate
enough to secure the services of Mr. C. Gordon Jelf, who worked with me
from August to February. Mr. Mond, Mr. Gardiner, Mr. Griffitii, and
also my Department, supplied funds for the work. Thus, by the generosity
of thèse gentlemen, by the strenuous labours of Mr. Jelf, aud by the expert
knowledge of Mr. Gardiner and Trof. Newberry, we were able to compile
a list of no less than 240 tombs. About 70 of thèse are either buried
or inhabited, and the rest are now safeguarded. Thèse figures will be
better appreciated when I say that not more than a dozen or so were
protected six years ago. A full report of the-work will be published in
due course ; and in the meantime I would remind Egyptologists that they
now bave at ïhebes a vast collection of tomb paintings and reliefs such as
has never been accessible before, and there awaits publication and
classification a mass of material without a study of which no one can
attempt to discuss the manners and customs of Ancient Egypt. I must
repeat that without the generosity of Mr. Mond little could bave been
•done, and Egyptology owes hitn a very great debt.
17
" Dr. Boeder finished Bit el-Waly, wliere lie lias becn making most
careful and elaborate records of the scènes and inscriptions, and commenced
Dakka. M. Gauthier devoted himself to Àmada and broughtlus work to
a close early in March. M. Barsanti, in the course of a great clearance of
the sand at the Abu Simbel temples, opened up a liitherto unknown
chamber ; it contained among other things some fine statues of cyno-
céphalus apes. But I can glve no détails as the finds were only just being
set up in the muséum at Cairo when I left for England in May. M.
Barsanti has cleared the front of the great temple of débris, and it
presented a very fine appearance from the river as I passed it in the
express steamer from Halfa. At Bîga he has removed ail the accumulated
rubbish and the buts that blocked up the temple, and has besides furnished
the temple with a new cément terraceand a flight of steps leàding up from
the river."
From Mr. Weigall (regarding his province of Upper Egypt): —
" I had the great advantage of liaving Mr. Alan Gardiner with me last
September and October, and by his help great strides were made in the
work of locating and safeguarding the tombs of the nobles at Thebes.
Prof. Percy Newberry, who was also with me for a while, very generously
gave us as much information as he could regarding thèse tombs amongst
which he has done so much work in the past. Moreover Mr. Eobert Moxd
had invited me to bring out, at his expense, an Euglishman who should
conduct the work of repairing and listing the tombs ; and I was fbrtunate
enough to secure the services of Mr. C. Gordon Jelf, who worked with me
from August to February. Mr. Mond, Mr. Gardiner, Mr. Griffitii, and
also my Department, supplied funds for the work. Thus, by the generosity
of thèse gentlemen, by the strenuous labours of Mr. Jelf, aud by the expert
knowledge of Mr. Gardiner and Trof. Newberry, we were able to compile
a list of no less than 240 tombs. About 70 of thèse are either buried
or inhabited, and the rest are now safeguarded. Thèse figures will be
better appreciated when I say that not more than a dozen or so were
protected six years ago. A full report of the-work will be published in
due course ; and in the meantime I would remind Egyptologists that they
now bave at ïhebes a vast collection of tomb paintings and reliefs such as
has never been accessible before, and there awaits publication and
classification a mass of material without a study of which no one can
attempt to discuss the manners and customs of Ancient Egypt. I must
repeat that without the generosity of Mr. Mond little could bave been
•done, and Egyptology owes hitn a very great debt.