DOI Artikel:
Griffith, Francis Ll.: Progress of Egyptology: archaeology, hieroglyphic studies, etc.
DOI Seite / Zitierlink: https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.12423#0021
Archaeology, Hieroglyphic Studies, Etc.
11
In the first place the pyramid itself was constructed to a large extent of
stone plundered from earlier tombs, many of the blocks of stone—even
those used in the innermost core—showing remains of Old Kingdom
mastaba scenes in relief. Next, the pyramid temple seems to have under-
gone a good deal of alteration and reconstruction. Only the foundations
of its walls were left, but, built in as part of these foxmdations, there were
some fine blocks of relief, dedicated to Amenemhat I., which must have
belonged to the original temple. Just outside the temple area, placed
there either for safety, or because they had no use in the reconstructed
temple, were found a large granite altar and a limestone false door, botli
bearing the names and titles of Amenemhat I. Moreover on the north
side of the pyramid, re-used in the building which blocked the entrance
passage, there was a large false door in granite, dedicated to Amenemhat,
which must originally have been intended for use in the temple. It is not
yet clear by whom all this reconstructive work was carried out. Lastly,
it is manifest that by the XXth Dyn. the whole site had fallen into absolute
neglect; for, built over the temple and up the slopes of the ruined pyramid,
there was a flourishing village which cannot in any case be dated later
than the XXIInd Dyn. The chief industries of this village seem to have
been glass and bead manufacture.
"A certain number of private tombs in the vicinity of the pyramid
were also cleared; most of them had been badly plundered, but one
yielded some fine jewellery and other objects.
" In addition to the work at Lisht, some preliminary work was done by
the Expedition at the Oasis of Kharga. Next season excavations will be
carried on at both sites."
Mr. Quibell reports as follows :—
" Excavations at Saqqara during the winter 1907-1908 were carried on
in four different quarters of the site, viz. (1) in the monastery of St.
Iereniias, (2) in the temple of the Teta Pyramid, (3) on the east side of
the Step Pyramid, and (4) along the range of mastabas north of the
enclosure wall of the same pyramid.
" (1.) This was the most important section of the work. Two areas to
the west and north-west of the chapels dug last year were selected, and
upwards of forty chambers of crude brick, very irregular in plan, were
cleared; no angles were right angles, few walls were straight. These
walls stood at various heights, from one to three metres; they had been
covered with plaster, of which a good deal remained, much of it decorated
11
In the first place the pyramid itself was constructed to a large extent of
stone plundered from earlier tombs, many of the blocks of stone—even
those used in the innermost core—showing remains of Old Kingdom
mastaba scenes in relief. Next, the pyramid temple seems to have under-
gone a good deal of alteration and reconstruction. Only the foundations
of its walls were left, but, built in as part of these foxmdations, there were
some fine blocks of relief, dedicated to Amenemhat I., which must have
belonged to the original temple. Just outside the temple area, placed
there either for safety, or because they had no use in the reconstructed
temple, were found a large granite altar and a limestone false door, botli
bearing the names and titles of Amenemhat I. Moreover on the north
side of the pyramid, re-used in the building which blocked the entrance
passage, there was a large false door in granite, dedicated to Amenemhat,
which must originally have been intended for use in the temple. It is not
yet clear by whom all this reconstructive work was carried out. Lastly,
it is manifest that by the XXth Dyn. the whole site had fallen into absolute
neglect; for, built over the temple and up the slopes of the ruined pyramid,
there was a flourishing village which cannot in any case be dated later
than the XXIInd Dyn. The chief industries of this village seem to have
been glass and bead manufacture.
"A certain number of private tombs in the vicinity of the pyramid
were also cleared; most of them had been badly plundered, but one
yielded some fine jewellery and other objects.
" In addition to the work at Lisht, some preliminary work was done by
the Expedition at the Oasis of Kharga. Next season excavations will be
carried on at both sites."
Mr. Quibell reports as follows :—
" Excavations at Saqqara during the winter 1907-1908 were carried on
in four different quarters of the site, viz. (1) in the monastery of St.
Iereniias, (2) in the temple of the Teta Pyramid, (3) on the east side of
the Step Pyramid, and (4) along the range of mastabas north of the
enclosure wall of the same pyramid.
" (1.) This was the most important section of the work. Two areas to
the west and north-west of the chapels dug last year were selected, and
upwards of forty chambers of crude brick, very irregular in plan, were
cleared; no angles were right angles, few walls were straight. These
walls stood at various heights, from one to three metres; they had been
covered with plaster, of which a good deal remained, much of it decorated