DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.6551#0085
RETURN FROM UFPER EGYPT.
55
that place from Egypt. The warlike exploits descrihed
at Abou Simbel are here also recorded in the interior,
which has been painted.
A large architrave had been taken away from one
of the doorways, but the Pacha had, I was informed,
prevented any further spoliation. There are probably
catacombs in the adjacent mountains; and in the plain,
which no doubt was formerly productive, there are
vestiges of other antient foundations, amongst which are
those of a church; there has also been an extensive
burial-ground, and a considerable village. The Reis
had pretended for some reason or other that there
was a shoal near Gerf Hossein, which would not allow
of the boat being brought to the shore, so that I had
a considerable distance to walk; and did not therefore
arrive at Dandoor till the evening. This small temple
faces the east, and is handsomely built of large stones
finished round the edges, but it cannot be compared
with the massive structures of more antient times, and
is already much dilapidated although supposed to have
been built during the reign of Augustus, whilst temples
coeval with the Exodus are comparatively in good pre-
servation. It is now surrounded by heaps of squared
stones, but was originally adorned by a peribolus, with a
propylason, and was highly ornamented with hieroglyphics.
The roof is destroyed; behind it is a small grotto with
an Egyptian portal, and near it are some quarries, The
pommels of the doors had turned in sockets let into
squared stones, which does not appear to have been the
case in more antient buildings.
55
that place from Egypt. The warlike exploits descrihed
at Abou Simbel are here also recorded in the interior,
which has been painted.
A large architrave had been taken away from one
of the doorways, but the Pacha had, I was informed,
prevented any further spoliation. There are probably
catacombs in the adjacent mountains; and in the plain,
which no doubt was formerly productive, there are
vestiges of other antient foundations, amongst which are
those of a church; there has also been an extensive
burial-ground, and a considerable village. The Reis
had pretended for some reason or other that there
was a shoal near Gerf Hossein, which would not allow
of the boat being brought to the shore, so that I had
a considerable distance to walk; and did not therefore
arrive at Dandoor till the evening. This small temple
faces the east, and is handsomely built of large stones
finished round the edges, but it cannot be compared
with the massive structures of more antient times, and
is already much dilapidated although supposed to have
been built during the reign of Augustus, whilst temples
coeval with the Exodus are comparatively in good pre-
servation. It is now surrounded by heaps of squared
stones, but was originally adorned by a peribolus, with a
propylason, and was highly ornamented with hieroglyphics.
The roof is destroyed; behind it is a small grotto with
an Egyptian portal, and near it are some quarries, The
pommels of the doors had turned in sockets let into
squared stones, which does not appear to have been the
case in more antient buildings.