DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.6551#0115
82
OPERATIONS CARRIED ON" AT GIZEH.
the plain of Thebes. The torso of one of them was
near these pedestals, and by the cartouche on the girdle,
proved to be that of Oisirtesen the First. I obtained
leave to take it to England, and it is now in the British
Museum. I found Mr. Wilkinson's book particularly
useful at Karnac.
In returning to the boat, I was sorry to observe a
number of people employed in constructing magazines
of gunpowder within a mile of the antient buildings. The
approach to Luxor must have been extremely magni-
ficent, but is, as I have mentioned, much disfigured by
the accumulations of sand and rubbish, and also by the
loss of the obelisk taken to Paris, which has destroyed
the effect of the one remaining. There are ruins of other
temples in a distant part of the plain near the moun-
tains ; but I had not an opportunity of seeing them ; nor,
by the accounts that are given of them, do they appear
to be of much importance.
The plains of Thebes are very extensive on both
sides of the Nile, and well calculated for the site of a
powerful city; for, as water can probably be found in
most places at the level of the river, they are capable of
great fertility. At present however, owing to a scanty
population, and to other causes, they are very imperfectly
cultivated. The inhabitants of Luxor, and of Karnac
scarcely amount to 2000, and the conscription is likely
to reduce even that number. The summer is very hot,
and lasts ten months ; and during the extreme heats
the people of Karnac take refuge amongst the ruins.
Bathing is dangerous, owing to the number of croco-
diles, which are said to destroy animals, and even women
who approach the river; and to strike down their prey
OPERATIONS CARRIED ON" AT GIZEH.
the plain of Thebes. The torso of one of them was
near these pedestals, and by the cartouche on the girdle,
proved to be that of Oisirtesen the First. I obtained
leave to take it to England, and it is now in the British
Museum. I found Mr. Wilkinson's book particularly
useful at Karnac.
In returning to the boat, I was sorry to observe a
number of people employed in constructing magazines
of gunpowder within a mile of the antient buildings. The
approach to Luxor must have been extremely magni-
ficent, but is, as I have mentioned, much disfigured by
the accumulations of sand and rubbish, and also by the
loss of the obelisk taken to Paris, which has destroyed
the effect of the one remaining. There are ruins of other
temples in a distant part of the plain near the moun-
tains ; but I had not an opportunity of seeing them ; nor,
by the accounts that are given of them, do they appear
to be of much importance.
The plains of Thebes are very extensive on both
sides of the Nile, and well calculated for the site of a
powerful city; for, as water can probably be found in
most places at the level of the river, they are capable of
great fertility. At present however, owing to a scanty
population, and to other causes, they are very imperfectly
cultivated. The inhabitants of Luxor, and of Karnac
scarcely amount to 2000, and the conscription is likely
to reduce even that number. The summer is very hot,
and lasts ten months ; and during the extreme heats
the people of Karnac take refuge amongst the ruins.
Bathing is dangerous, owing to the number of croco-
diles, which are said to destroy animals, and even women
who approach the river; and to strike down their prey