DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.6551#0091
CO
OPERATIONS CARRIED ON AT GIZEII.
chain of picturesque mountains comes down nearly to
the water. On the western the hills are more distant, and
up on the intermediate plain the temple is finely situated
with the remains of an extensive periholus, and an ap-
proach by a raised causeway from the river, through
three handsome propylaga. The view of the stream with
the adjacent mountains through these lofty gateways is
very striking from the building itself, which must have
been extremely magnificent, although it does not bear
the appeai-ance of remote antiquity, indeed it is ascribed
by Mr. Wilkinson to the time of Ptolemy Philometor.
It has been built of the same materials as the temples
at Wady Taffa; and the sockets for the stone doors have
been cut in squared blocks. The apartments have been
ceiled with flat slabs, and covered with hieroglyphics, but
they do not appear to have been plastered or painted.
A few isolated ruins, probably of Roman forts, are to be
seen to the northward, together with several Nubian huts
amidst patches of cultivated ground ; these habitations
are six or seven feet high, situated in small yards sur-
rounded by walls, are built of unburnt bricks or clay,
and covered with reeds. The inhabitants are ex-
tremely poor, but appear very healthy. The boys are
naked, excepting a leathern girdle, but have a noble and
independent air, and are extremely well set up.
I soon afterwards arrived at Philae, which was seen
to great advantage in the clear light of a still evening.
The boat was moored under a high bank opposite the
northern end of the island, along which the river sweeps
finely to the south-westward. The moon shone with
uncommon splendour, and gave a mysterious and solemn
OPERATIONS CARRIED ON AT GIZEII.
chain of picturesque mountains comes down nearly to
the water. On the western the hills are more distant, and
up on the intermediate plain the temple is finely situated
with the remains of an extensive periholus, and an ap-
proach by a raised causeway from the river, through
three handsome propylaga. The view of the stream with
the adjacent mountains through these lofty gateways is
very striking from the building itself, which must have
been extremely magnificent, although it does not bear
the appeai-ance of remote antiquity, indeed it is ascribed
by Mr. Wilkinson to the time of Ptolemy Philometor.
It has been built of the same materials as the temples
at Wady Taffa; and the sockets for the stone doors have
been cut in squared blocks. The apartments have been
ceiled with flat slabs, and covered with hieroglyphics, but
they do not appear to have been plastered or painted.
A few isolated ruins, probably of Roman forts, are to be
seen to the northward, together with several Nubian huts
amidst patches of cultivated ground ; these habitations
are six or seven feet high, situated in small yards sur-
rounded by walls, are built of unburnt bricks or clay,
and covered with reeds. The inhabitants are ex-
tremely poor, but appear very healthy. The boys are
naked, excepting a leathern girdle, but have a noble and
independent air, and are extremely well set up.
I soon afterwards arrived at Philae, which was seen
to great advantage in the clear light of a still evening.
The boat was moored under a high bank opposite the
northern end of the island, along which the river sweeps
finely to the south-westward. The moon shone with
uncommon splendour, and gave a mysterious and solemn