DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.6551#0158
122
OPERATIONS CARRIED ON AT GIZEH.
tage through a natural arch in a cavern near the summit,
whence there is a mountain path down a wild, and barren
valley to the eastward. Several quarries, and also sepul-
chral excavations are to be seen on the adjacent hills,
but the latter have been opened, and despoiled of their
contents. I did not observe any hieroglyphics, nor did I
find the Roman figures, Greek inscriptions, and reservoir
mentioned by Mr. Wilkinson. Amongst the ruins, I
noticed some stones that had been cut in a remarkable
manner, and had apparently formed part of an altar; and
before an altar placed in the entrance of the adytum in
one of the excavations, a deep pit, sufficiently large to
receive a sarcophagus, and several holes connected by
groovings, which might possibly have been intended to
convey the blood of sacrifices into it. Between Tehneh,
and the convent, Deir El Adra, the Gisr El Agoos is to
be traced in many places.
As soon as the boat appeared in sight of the convent,
two of the monks came down, at first by a ravine, and
afterwards by a subterraneous passage to the river, and
plunging into the stream swam off to it. They were
very stout men, and I can well imagine, if an opportunity
occurred, would be again as troublesome to passengers,
as they are reputed to have formerly been. They are
chiefly maintained by the inhabitants of the adjacent
Coptic villages. The place is difficult of access from
the river, on account of the rapidity, and depth of the
stream, so that with Arab boatmen a large vessel cannot
safely approach it. The cliffs, however, terminate about
two miles to the northward, whence it can be easily visited
by land. The lofty minaret of Samaloud is seen on the
opposite shore.
OPERATIONS CARRIED ON AT GIZEH.
tage through a natural arch in a cavern near the summit,
whence there is a mountain path down a wild, and barren
valley to the eastward. Several quarries, and also sepul-
chral excavations are to be seen on the adjacent hills,
but the latter have been opened, and despoiled of their
contents. I did not observe any hieroglyphics, nor did I
find the Roman figures, Greek inscriptions, and reservoir
mentioned by Mr. Wilkinson. Amongst the ruins, I
noticed some stones that had been cut in a remarkable
manner, and had apparently formed part of an altar; and
before an altar placed in the entrance of the adytum in
one of the excavations, a deep pit, sufficiently large to
receive a sarcophagus, and several holes connected by
groovings, which might possibly have been intended to
convey the blood of sacrifices into it. Between Tehneh,
and the convent, Deir El Adra, the Gisr El Agoos is to
be traced in many places.
As soon as the boat appeared in sight of the convent,
two of the monks came down, at first by a ravine, and
afterwards by a subterraneous passage to the river, and
plunging into the stream swam off to it. They were
very stout men, and I can well imagine, if an opportunity
occurred, would be again as troublesome to passengers,
as they are reputed to have formerly been. They are
chiefly maintained by the inhabitants of the adjacent
Coptic villages. The place is difficult of access from
the river, on account of the rapidity, and depth of the
stream, so that with Arab boatmen a large vessel cannot
safely approach it. The cliffs, however, terminate about
two miles to the northward, whence it can be easily visited
by land. The lofty minaret of Samaloud is seen on the
opposite shore.