DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.6551#0036
12
OPERATIONS CARRIED ON AT G1ZE11.
not only of an after-existence of lengthened duration,
but also of the resurrection of the body, — a belief
■which, however obscured and mystified by imperfect
tradition and by superstitious ceremonies, could only
have had its origin in direct revelation.
It is also to be observed, that the subsequent dis-
covery of the casing-stones at the base of the Great
Pyramid, proves that these buildings had originally one
smooth and polished exterior, which appears likewise to
have actually existed in the time of Pliny. It is impossible,
therefore, to imagine that their summits could have been
easily attained, or conveniently occupied for astronomical
observation : neither would their height, however great
when compared with that of other buildings, have tended
much to the advancement of scientific purposes.
Soon after these examinations (namely, on the 22d
of February, 1836) I returned to Alexandria; and on
the 23d I had the pleasure of being introduced to Mr.
Caviglia, with whom I had a long conversation. He
informed me that he had made the excavation in the
Subterraneous Chamber; that to the south of Davison's
Chamber, and the one also along the Northern Air
Channel; and that he had attempted to force the mouth
of the Southern Air Channel in the King's Chamber.6
He stated his belief that these channels led to other
apartments, which, by excavating in their direction,
might be easily discovered. He also mentioned the
6 It is to be remembered that Greaves, who travelled in 1638,
describes the mouth of the Southern Air Channel to have been then
partially forced, and blackened with smoke. He likewise alludes to
excavations near the sarcophagus; but he neither mentions the Sub-
terraneous Chamber, Davison's Chamber, nor the passage leading to it.
OPERATIONS CARRIED ON AT G1ZE11.
not only of an after-existence of lengthened duration,
but also of the resurrection of the body, — a belief
■which, however obscured and mystified by imperfect
tradition and by superstitious ceremonies, could only
have had its origin in direct revelation.
It is also to be observed, that the subsequent dis-
covery of the casing-stones at the base of the Great
Pyramid, proves that these buildings had originally one
smooth and polished exterior, which appears likewise to
have actually existed in the time of Pliny. It is impossible,
therefore, to imagine that their summits could have been
easily attained, or conveniently occupied for astronomical
observation : neither would their height, however great
when compared with that of other buildings, have tended
much to the advancement of scientific purposes.
Soon after these examinations (namely, on the 22d
of February, 1836) I returned to Alexandria; and on
the 23d I had the pleasure of being introduced to Mr.
Caviglia, with whom I had a long conversation. He
informed me that he had made the excavation in the
Subterraneous Chamber; that to the south of Davison's
Chamber, and the one also along the Northern Air
Channel; and that he had attempted to force the mouth
of the Southern Air Channel in the King's Chamber.6
He stated his belief that these channels led to other
apartments, which, by excavating in their direction,
might be easily discovered. He also mentioned the
6 It is to be remembered that Greaves, who travelled in 1638,
describes the mouth of the Southern Air Channel to have been then
partially forced, and blackened with smoke. He likewise alludes to
excavations near the sarcophagus; but he neither mentions the Sub-
terraneous Chamber, Davison's Chamber, nor the passage leading to it.