DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.6551#0151
116 OPERATIONS CARRIED ON AT GIZEII.
intersected by deep gullies, and ravines, — the effects,
apparently, of torrents.
In exploring the valleys in search of the Speos Arte-
midos, several portals, and sepulchral excavations were
discovered; but I was obliged to get a guide from the
villages to find out the place in question, which was called
Stahl-Antar, and proved to be on the southern side of
a valley, or glen, that extended eastwards for a con-
siderable distance. The entrance was by a portico, com-
posed of a double row, each of four columns, which
may possibly have been hewn into the shape of colossal
figures : the inner row was destroyed, and of the outer
only three remained, and they were entirely defaced.
In the centre of this portico, or colonnade, a square
chamber of no great size had been excavated, which
opposite to the doorway contained a niche about seven
feet from the floor. The remains of an image might
be distinguished; and hieroglyphics had been inscribed
on the columns, and also upon the walls near the door-
way, and near the niche,
where the cartouches of
Thothmes III. and of Osiri-
ruirLnn / e.;
I ' >f- / / Menephthah I. had been in-
scribed ; but the whole was
exceedingly rough, and the
marks of a chisel were every
where visible.7 The rocks
of the plague, which was very destructive in 183G: the inhabitants are
at present few in number, and in bad repute.
T These cartouches are the prenomens of Thothmes the Third (or
Maris), and of Menephthah the First, both monarchs of the 18th
dynasty. — Mr. Birch.
intersected by deep gullies, and ravines, — the effects,
apparently, of torrents.
In exploring the valleys in search of the Speos Arte-
midos, several portals, and sepulchral excavations were
discovered; but I was obliged to get a guide from the
villages to find out the place in question, which was called
Stahl-Antar, and proved to be on the southern side of
a valley, or glen, that extended eastwards for a con-
siderable distance. The entrance was by a portico, com-
posed of a double row, each of four columns, which
may possibly have been hewn into the shape of colossal
figures : the inner row was destroyed, and of the outer
only three remained, and they were entirely defaced.
In the centre of this portico, or colonnade, a square
chamber of no great size had been excavated, which
opposite to the doorway contained a niche about seven
feet from the floor. The remains of an image might
be distinguished; and hieroglyphics had been inscribed
on the columns, and also upon the walls near the door-
way, and near the niche,
where the cartouches of
Thothmes III. and of Osiri-
ruirLnn / e.;
I ' >f- / / Menephthah I. had been in-
scribed ; but the whole was
exceedingly rough, and the
marks of a chisel were every
where visible.7 The rocks
of the plague, which was very destructive in 183G: the inhabitants are
at present few in number, and in bad repute.
T These cartouches are the prenomens of Thothmes the Third (or
Maris), and of Menephthah the First, both monarchs of the 18th
dynasty. — Mr. Birch.