DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.6551#0074
RETURN FROM UPPER EGYFf.
45
grotto had been used as a church ; the antient sculp-
ture and hieroglyphics had, in many places, been effaced,
and the legend of St. George and the Dragon, and other
sacred figures, had been painted on the ceiling and on
the walls. The apartments, which were very elegant,
had been closed by stone doors, opening inwards ; the
face of the cliff had been levelled for a certain distance
near the entrance, and a row of holes, about three
inches square, had been cut into it. The high land at
this place recedes to some little distance from the river.
The western bank was here partially cultivated, and Abou
Simbel lay before us. I arrived there in the after-
noon ; and, having passed the two tablets engraved on
the rock near the larger temple, moored the boat before
the facade of the small one, which faces the east, whilst
that of the Great Temple is not opposite any of the
cardinal points, but is inclined to the north-eastward.
The river seems to have gained at this place con-
siderably upon the land, which formerly was, in all
probability, cultivated, and a station of commercial
importance, and of extensive communication with the
interior of the country.
Many antient remains may yet be concealed under
the sand, which fills up the valley between the two
temples, and which would soon have entirely hidden
the larger one, had it not been for the perseverance
and exertions of Sig. Belzoni, and of Captains Irby and
Mangles. The complete removal of this sand would
be a work of considerable labour, but of little diffi-
culty, as the situation is favourable, and as the river
is at hand to carry off any quantity which might
be thrown into it. The operation would possibly
45
grotto had been used as a church ; the antient sculp-
ture and hieroglyphics had, in many places, been effaced,
and the legend of St. George and the Dragon, and other
sacred figures, had been painted on the ceiling and on
the walls. The apartments, which were very elegant,
had been closed by stone doors, opening inwards ; the
face of the cliff had been levelled for a certain distance
near the entrance, and a row of holes, about three
inches square, had been cut into it. The high land at
this place recedes to some little distance from the river.
The western bank was here partially cultivated, and Abou
Simbel lay before us. I arrived there in the after-
noon ; and, having passed the two tablets engraved on
the rock near the larger temple, moored the boat before
the facade of the small one, which faces the east, whilst
that of the Great Temple is not opposite any of the
cardinal points, but is inclined to the north-eastward.
The river seems to have gained at this place con-
siderably upon the land, which formerly was, in all
probability, cultivated, and a station of commercial
importance, and of extensive communication with the
interior of the country.
Many antient remains may yet be concealed under
the sand, which fills up the valley between the two
temples, and which would soon have entirely hidden
the larger one, had it not been for the perseverance
and exertions of Sig. Belzoni, and of Captains Irby and
Mangles. The complete removal of this sand would
be a work of considerable labour, but of little diffi-
culty, as the situation is favourable, and as the river
is at hand to carry off any quantity which might
be thrown into it. The operation would possibly