DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.6551#0105
74
OPERATIONS CARRIED ON AT GIZEH.
considerable manufactories of indigo and of bricks. In
the latter it was curious to observe that the apertures
in the kilns were covered over by horizontal courses,
exactly as they were in antient buildings before the arch
was adopted. I had an opportunity of purchasing several
scarabaei, and other small antiques, at this place.
The road to Elwah branches off from Erment. After
crossing the plain, it ascends the mountains to a stony
desert on a much higher level than the valley of the
Nile. As no water is to be had, and the heat very
oppressive, the journey is attended with considerable
fatigue, and was formerly also with some degree of
danger, owing to the savage disposition of the Arabs.
Their predatory habits however are, as has been stated,
at present controlled by the authority of the Pacha, and
the journey may be performed now with comparative
security. It is probable that many oases exist yet un-
discovered in these wild scenes of desolation, which
appear to have been but imperfectly explored.
I proceeded to Luxor, where I found Dr. Cummings,
who had been obliged by a violent illness to return from
Esneh, and Mr. Baillie, another gentleman, whom I had
also met at Cairo, soon after arrived. Thermometer 60°.
The Great Temple is a most magnificent structure, and
stands in a very advantageous situation, but is much en-
cumbered with sand, mounds of rubbish, and the houses
of the modern village.4 The obelisk in front of the pro-
poned, the Arabs were in such numbers, and in such a state of excite-
ment, that a retreat was attended with some difficulty.
4 It is surprising that the French did not clear away this and other
antient monuments, when they had possession of the country and the
command of the inhabitants, whose employment would have been desir-
able in every respect.
OPERATIONS CARRIED ON AT GIZEH.
considerable manufactories of indigo and of bricks. In
the latter it was curious to observe that the apertures
in the kilns were covered over by horizontal courses,
exactly as they were in antient buildings before the arch
was adopted. I had an opportunity of purchasing several
scarabaei, and other small antiques, at this place.
The road to Elwah branches off from Erment. After
crossing the plain, it ascends the mountains to a stony
desert on a much higher level than the valley of the
Nile. As no water is to be had, and the heat very
oppressive, the journey is attended with considerable
fatigue, and was formerly also with some degree of
danger, owing to the savage disposition of the Arabs.
Their predatory habits however are, as has been stated,
at present controlled by the authority of the Pacha, and
the journey may be performed now with comparative
security. It is probable that many oases exist yet un-
discovered in these wild scenes of desolation, which
appear to have been but imperfectly explored.
I proceeded to Luxor, where I found Dr. Cummings,
who had been obliged by a violent illness to return from
Esneh, and Mr. Baillie, another gentleman, whom I had
also met at Cairo, soon after arrived. Thermometer 60°.
The Great Temple is a most magnificent structure, and
stands in a very advantageous situation, but is much en-
cumbered with sand, mounds of rubbish, and the houses
of the modern village.4 The obelisk in front of the pro-
poned, the Arabs were in such numbers, and in such a state of excite-
ment, that a retreat was attended with some difficulty.
4 It is surprising that the French did not clear away this and other
antient monuments, when they had possession of the country and the
command of the inhabitants, whose employment would have been desir-
able in every respect.