DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.6551#0190
OPERATIONS CARRIED ON AT GIZEII.
153
works above mentioned.1 The excavation, begun by
M. Caviglia behind the blocks of granite, which form the
southern wall of Davison's chamber, with a view of in-
tersecting the southern air-channel, was continued; and
another party was also employed at the same place, to
carry up the excavation above the roof of the chamber,
where, as I before mentioned, I expected to find a sepul-
chral apartment, to which, I thought it probable, that that
chamber was an entresol, and the top of the great passage
an entrance. Some men were employed in clearing out
the mouth of the northern air-channel, which had been
discovered by Mr. Perring on the exterior of the pyramid;
but the excavation along the course of this channel near
the king's chamber was discontinued from the great diffi-
culty attending it. The candles would scarcely burn;
not more than six inches were cut out in twenty-four
hours ; and I knew, from examination, that at least thirty-
five feet remained without any opening, or apartment.
The connexion between the upper and lower parts of this
channel was not then ascertained; but, even if it had,
a communication from it to other chambers, was highly
probable. The men sent into the passage leading to the
queen's chamber were ordered to clear out the rubbish
from the bottom of the step, as far as the apartment. In
the king's chamber, the boring rods, withdrawn on the
11th instant, were replaced; and Paulo resumed his
former operations.
The greatest part of the people were sent with the
1 In order to understand the details contained in this journal, a refer-
ence is recommended not only to the accompanying plates, but also to
Mr. Perring's plans and sections, published by Mr.Fraser, 215 Regent
Street.
153
works above mentioned.1 The excavation, begun by
M. Caviglia behind the blocks of granite, which form the
southern wall of Davison's chamber, with a view of in-
tersecting the southern air-channel, was continued; and
another party was also employed at the same place, to
carry up the excavation above the roof of the chamber,
where, as I before mentioned, I expected to find a sepul-
chral apartment, to which, I thought it probable, that that
chamber was an entresol, and the top of the great passage
an entrance. Some men were employed in clearing out
the mouth of the northern air-channel, which had been
discovered by Mr. Perring on the exterior of the pyramid;
but the excavation along the course of this channel near
the king's chamber was discontinued from the great diffi-
culty attending it. The candles would scarcely burn;
not more than six inches were cut out in twenty-four
hours ; and I knew, from examination, that at least thirty-
five feet remained without any opening, or apartment.
The connexion between the upper and lower parts of this
channel was not then ascertained; but, even if it had,
a communication from it to other chambers, was highly
probable. The men sent into the passage leading to the
queen's chamber were ordered to clear out the rubbish
from the bottom of the step, as far as the apartment. In
the king's chamber, the boring rods, withdrawn on the
11th instant, were replaced; and Paulo resumed his
former operations.
The greatest part of the people were sent with the
1 In order to understand the details contained in this journal, a refer-
ence is recommended not only to the accompanying plates, but also to
Mr. Perring's plans and sections, published by Mr.Fraser, 215 Regent
Street.