DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.6551#0060
VOYAGE INTO UPPER EGYPT.
33
observed upon it several curved rows of small square
holes, similar to those on the great stone in the quarry
at Baalbec. As neither of these blocks had been finished,
these holes were, probably, made for the convenience
of moving them, and not for the purpose of fixing
them in any particular building, as I at first conceived
to be the case, when I saw similar cuttings on the three
large stones built into the wall of the Temple at
Baalbec; and naturally concluded that they must have
belonged to some former building, as the holes did
not appear to be of any use in their present position.
In returning to the town, I passed through an exten-
sive burial-ground, where there are many curious
inscriptions.
10th. — Having changed my boat, and made the
necessary arrangements, I set out for Wady Haifa at
twelve o'clock, and in about two hours I perceived,
by a considerable noise and slight ripplings of the water,
that we approached the Cataracts. As the channel was
winding and full of isolated rocks, and the stream ran
with great violence, a fair wind was absolutely neces-
sary. This, unluckily, we had not; and, therefore, were
obliged to put into a small creek, or bend of the river,
under some high rocks of granite, on the eastern shore,
upon which various tablets of antient hieroglyphics had
been inscribed, and several figures also coarsely drawn,
probably by the French army, who were stationed in
the neighbourhood for some time. The shores on both
sides of the river were entirely barren. The weather
was cold and dreary; and, when it was almost dark,
a Nubian woman, with her clothes and a bundle upon
VOL. I. D
33
observed upon it several curved rows of small square
holes, similar to those on the great stone in the quarry
at Baalbec. As neither of these blocks had been finished,
these holes were, probably, made for the convenience
of moving them, and not for the purpose of fixing
them in any particular building, as I at first conceived
to be the case, when I saw similar cuttings on the three
large stones built into the wall of the Temple at
Baalbec; and naturally concluded that they must have
belonged to some former building, as the holes did
not appear to be of any use in their present position.
In returning to the town, I passed through an exten-
sive burial-ground, where there are many curious
inscriptions.
10th. — Having changed my boat, and made the
necessary arrangements, I set out for Wady Haifa at
twelve o'clock, and in about two hours I perceived,
by a considerable noise and slight ripplings of the water,
that we approached the Cataracts. As the channel was
winding and full of isolated rocks, and the stream ran
with great violence, a fair wind was absolutely neces-
sary. This, unluckily, we had not; and, therefore, were
obliged to put into a small creek, or bend of the river,
under some high rocks of granite, on the eastern shore,
upon which various tablets of antient hieroglyphics had
been inscribed, and several figures also coarsely drawn,
probably by the French army, who were stationed in
the neighbourhood for some time. The shores on both
sides of the river were entirely barren. The weather
was cold and dreary; and, when it was almost dark,
a Nubian woman, with her clothes and a bundle upon
VOL. I. D