DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.6551#0127
RETURX FROM UPPER EGYPT.
93
3d. — In continuing my examination of this inter-
esting place, I proceeded to the two famous statues, one
of which is said to be that of Memnon. They have
evidently been placed, together with other Colossi, as
ornaments upon a causeway, that formed the approach
to a considerable building, the site of which may yet be
made out, and which is said by Mr. Wilkinson to be of
the time of Amenoph the Third. No apparent superi-
ority distinguishes one of these images from the other;
but the most northern, from the inscriptions, with which
it is covered, and also from tradition, is supposed to have
emitted the musical sound, and to be the monument of
the mighty hero. Mr. Wilkinson appears to consider that
the sound was produced by artificial means, and that a
sonorous block, which he found in the lap of the figure,
was struck for that purpose. It would seem however
more probable, that it was occasioned by the vibration of
the stone, of which the figure is composed, under the
powerful action of the morning sun; a phenomenon not
entirely without precedent.
Medinet Abou is situated on a knoll, and is sur-
rounded by Arab huts. This building is evidently com-
posed of two distinct parts : the smaller and more antient,
said to have been built in the time of Thothmes the
Third, contains Doric, or polygonal columns, like those
at Karnac. The larger has been a most stupendous
edifice; although not equal to the temples at Karnac in
extent, or in grandeur, it certainly exceeds them in excel-
lence and variety of decoration. These, besides describing
with considerable detail the usual battle-scenes, proces-
sions, triumphs, &c, are rendered peculiarly interesting
by the introduction of ships and of the sea-shore, and give
93
3d. — In continuing my examination of this inter-
esting place, I proceeded to the two famous statues, one
of which is said to be that of Memnon. They have
evidently been placed, together with other Colossi, as
ornaments upon a causeway, that formed the approach
to a considerable building, the site of which may yet be
made out, and which is said by Mr. Wilkinson to be of
the time of Amenoph the Third. No apparent superi-
ority distinguishes one of these images from the other;
but the most northern, from the inscriptions, with which
it is covered, and also from tradition, is supposed to have
emitted the musical sound, and to be the monument of
the mighty hero. Mr. Wilkinson appears to consider that
the sound was produced by artificial means, and that a
sonorous block, which he found in the lap of the figure,
was struck for that purpose. It would seem however
more probable, that it was occasioned by the vibration of
the stone, of which the figure is composed, under the
powerful action of the morning sun; a phenomenon not
entirely without precedent.
Medinet Abou is situated on a knoll, and is sur-
rounded by Arab huts. This building is evidently com-
posed of two distinct parts : the smaller and more antient,
said to have been built in the time of Thothmes the
Third, contains Doric, or polygonal columns, like those
at Karnac. The larger has been a most stupendous
edifice; although not equal to the temples at Karnac in
extent, or in grandeur, it certainly exceeds them in excel-
lence and variety of decoration. These, besides describing
with considerable detail the usual battle-scenes, proces-
sions, triumphs, &c, are rendered peculiarly interesting
by the introduction of ships and of the sea-shore, and give