DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.29898#0134
98
EGYPTIAN ARCHITECTUEE.
Pakt I.
been founcl in situ by Mr. Flinders Petrie, whose measurements, taken
in 1880-82, and published in the following year,1 are the most accurate
yet made. The dimensions hitherto given have shown a difierence of
as much as eighteen inches in the length of the sides, which, if the
pyramid had been set out on a perfectly clear level ground, would have
detracted from the perfection which has been claimed for its setting
out. This difference, however, it appears now, was due to the fact
that the various observers had measured from angle to angle of the
corner sockets, and had “ assumed that the faces of the stones placed
in them rose up vertically from the edge of the bottom until they
No. 7. Section of Great Pyramid.
reached the patiment (whatever level that might be), from which the
sloping face started upwards.” This, however, was not the case; the
sloping sides of the Pyramid continued down to the rock surface, and
the base was eventually partially covered over by a level pavement or
platform ;2 the parts covered over varying in extent according to the
depth they were carried down. Mr. Petrie utilized the angle sockets
for the purpose of obtaining the true diagonals of the casing, and having
computed a square which passed through the points of casing found on
each side, and having also its corners lying on the diagonals of the
sockets, obtained the dimensions of the original base of the Great
1 ‘ The Fyramids and Temples of
Gizeh,’ by W. M. Flinders Petrie. Lond.
1SS3.
2 On the north side the paving is
carried under the lowest course.
EGYPTIAN ARCHITECTUEE.
Pakt I.
been founcl in situ by Mr. Flinders Petrie, whose measurements, taken
in 1880-82, and published in the following year,1 are the most accurate
yet made. The dimensions hitherto given have shown a difierence of
as much as eighteen inches in the length of the sides, which, if the
pyramid had been set out on a perfectly clear level ground, would have
detracted from the perfection which has been claimed for its setting
out. This difference, however, it appears now, was due to the fact
that the various observers had measured from angle to angle of the
corner sockets, and had “ assumed that the faces of the stones placed
in them rose up vertically from the edge of the bottom until they
No. 7. Section of Great Pyramid.
reached the patiment (whatever level that might be), from which the
sloping face started upwards.” This, however, was not the case; the
sloping sides of the Pyramid continued down to the rock surface, and
the base was eventually partially covered over by a level pavement or
platform ;2 the parts covered over varying in extent according to the
depth they were carried down. Mr. Petrie utilized the angle sockets
for the purpose of obtaining the true diagonals of the casing, and having
computed a square which passed through the points of casing found on
each side, and having also its corners lying on the diagonals of the
sockets, obtained the dimensions of the original base of the Great
1 ‘ The Fyramids and Temples of
Gizeh,’ by W. M. Flinders Petrie. Lond.
1SS3.
2 On the north side the paving is
carried under the lowest course.