66
OPERATIONS CARRIED ON AT GIZEII.
At Hadjar Silsilis the rocks are higher, and the quar-
ries much more extensive on the eastern, than on the
western shore. The antient town was also on the former
side to the northward of the quarries, which are most
wonderful instances of industry and skill. It is difficult
to determine whether the excellence of the workmanship,
or the fine and continuous texture of the stone of which
the lofty cliffs are composed, is most to be admired. In
many places winding roads have been carried into the
heart of the mountain, and extensive excavations made
with the utmost exactness, apparently by the chisel,
although in many places the marks of wedges are visible.
Several ranges of squared holes may likewise be observed,
similar to those on the great stone in the quarry at Baal-
bec ; and on the perpendicular face of the lofty rocks rows
of small cavities have been cut in slanting directions,
apparently for the insertion of wooden supports to serve
as staircases or means of ascent. Horizontal and per-
pendicular lines, and occasionally hieroglyphics, have also
been drawn on the face of the stone, and the projecting
angles in the perpendicular sides of the winding roads
have been perforated, either for the insertion of ropes or
pulleys, or to afford a view of the road through them.
A great deal of work has also been carried on on
the western side, and several curious tablets, containing
figures and hieroglyphics, have been inscribed on the
rocks; and the bright colours with which they have been
painted are, in many instances, distinct and fresh. There
are, likewise, niches about four feet deep, with a variety
of figures and inscriptions; and grottoes, like those at
Ibrim, in which the ceilings have been chequered with
a red and white pattern. The most remarkable of these
OPERATIONS CARRIED ON AT GIZEII.
At Hadjar Silsilis the rocks are higher, and the quar-
ries much more extensive on the eastern, than on the
western shore. The antient town was also on the former
side to the northward of the quarries, which are most
wonderful instances of industry and skill. It is difficult
to determine whether the excellence of the workmanship,
or the fine and continuous texture of the stone of which
the lofty cliffs are composed, is most to be admired. In
many places winding roads have been carried into the
heart of the mountain, and extensive excavations made
with the utmost exactness, apparently by the chisel,
although in many places the marks of wedges are visible.
Several ranges of squared holes may likewise be observed,
similar to those on the great stone in the quarry at Baal-
bec ; and on the perpendicular face of the lofty rocks rows
of small cavities have been cut in slanting directions,
apparently for the insertion of wooden supports to serve
as staircases or means of ascent. Horizontal and per-
pendicular lines, and occasionally hieroglyphics, have also
been drawn on the face of the stone, and the projecting
angles in the perpendicular sides of the winding roads
have been perforated, either for the insertion of ropes or
pulleys, or to afford a view of the road through them.
A great deal of work has also been carried on on
the western side, and several curious tablets, containing
figures and hieroglyphics, have been inscribed on the
rocks; and the bright colours with which they have been
painted are, in many instances, distinct and fresh. There
are, likewise, niches about four feet deep, with a variety
of figures and inscriptions; and grottoes, like those at
Ibrim, in which the ceilings have been chequered with
a red and white pattern. The most remarkable of these