DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.6551#0098
RETURN FROM UPPER EGYPT.
67
excavations is towards the north: it consists of an apart-
ment adorned with hieroglyphics, and of a painted cor-
ridor, in which four large columns, or piers have been
left to support the roof. Mr. Wilkinson states that it
was begun by the successor of Amenoph the Third, and
that it contains the representation of a battle; but this
I could not discover, and conclude therefore that it has
been lately destroyed.8
There are many other excavations at this interesting
place, described by Mr. Hamilton and other travellers,
which for want of time I did not examine.
27th. — Thermometer 65°. I arrived at Edfou. The
temple, surrounded by the huts of the modern village, is
situated on an extensive plain, naturally fertile, but at
present only partially cultivated, and bounded by a dis-
tant range of mountains, where the antient Necropolis
was placed. The entrance is by a most magnificent pro-
pylaea, which appears to be a more recent structure than
the rest of the edifice. It is built with the greatest
solidity, and contains many apartments that have been
closed with stone doors, and lighted by apertures worked
in the masonry. They are connected by a staircase ex-
tending to the top of the building, and likewise to a
variety of similar chambers in the foundation. The gates
of the great entrance, probably of metal, must have been
of an enormous height, and exceedingly heavy. They
seem however to have been hung in the usual manner,
upon pommels which turned in sockets.
The temple itself, one of the most imposing in Egypt,
8 Mr. Hay is said to have taken copies of these inscriptions, and
many of them have been published by M. Champollion.
67
excavations is towards the north: it consists of an apart-
ment adorned with hieroglyphics, and of a painted cor-
ridor, in which four large columns, or piers have been
left to support the roof. Mr. Wilkinson states that it
was begun by the successor of Amenoph the Third, and
that it contains the representation of a battle; but this
I could not discover, and conclude therefore that it has
been lately destroyed.8
There are many other excavations at this interesting
place, described by Mr. Hamilton and other travellers,
which for want of time I did not examine.
27th. — Thermometer 65°. I arrived at Edfou. The
temple, surrounded by the huts of the modern village, is
situated on an extensive plain, naturally fertile, but at
present only partially cultivated, and bounded by a dis-
tant range of mountains, where the antient Necropolis
was placed. The entrance is by a most magnificent pro-
pylaea, which appears to be a more recent structure than
the rest of the edifice. It is built with the greatest
solidity, and contains many apartments that have been
closed with stone doors, and lighted by apertures worked
in the masonry. They are connected by a staircase ex-
tending to the top of the building, and likewise to a
variety of similar chambers in the foundation. The gates
of the great entrance, probably of metal, must have been
of an enormous height, and exceedingly heavy. They
seem however to have been hung in the usual manner,
upon pommels which turned in sockets.
The temple itself, one of the most imposing in Egypt,
8 Mr. Hay is said to have taken copies of these inscriptions, and
many of them have been published by M. Champollion.