DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.6551#0312
262
OPERATIONS CARRIED ON AT GIZEH.
ment of one, that has been destroyed, remained firmly fixed
in its original alignement, notwithstanding the lapse of time
and the violence, to which it had been exposed. The
pavement beyond the line of the building was well laid, and
beautifully finished ; but beneath the edifice it was worked
with even greater exactness, and to the most perfect level,
in order, probably, to obtain a lasting foundation for the
magnificent structure to be built upon it. I consider
that the workmanship displayed in the King's Chamber,
in this pavement, and in the casing-stones, is perfectly
unrivalled ; and there is no reason to doubt that the whole
exterior of this vast structure was covered with the same
excellent masonry.
May 13th.
Reis, 9. Men, 114. Children, 10G.
The same works were repeated.
The Sheiks of Cafr el Batran, and of Harranieh,
reported that the men of their respective villages would
be sent for to clear out a canal in the neighbourhood.
I went accordingly to Cairo in the evening, with Mr. Hill
and Mr. Raven, and arranged, with Mr. Piozan, to visit
had been united. It was said that wood had been used for that purpose
in the same manner as in the Grecian temples, but I could not discover any
of that substance, nor yet of metallic fastenings ; in searching, however,
between the joints of one of the larger columns, the upper part of which,
with its stupendous architrave, had fallen over probably many centuries
before, I discovered ill a cavity formed at the centre, in the shape of
double wedges meeting at the points, a quantity of white cement, which,
notwithstanding a long exposure to the extreme heat of the climate, had
not been pulverised, but still retained a degree of moisture, and could
be cut with a knife.
OPERATIONS CARRIED ON AT GIZEH.
ment of one, that has been destroyed, remained firmly fixed
in its original alignement, notwithstanding the lapse of time
and the violence, to which it had been exposed. The
pavement beyond the line of the building was well laid, and
beautifully finished ; but beneath the edifice it was worked
with even greater exactness, and to the most perfect level,
in order, probably, to obtain a lasting foundation for the
magnificent structure to be built upon it. I consider
that the workmanship displayed in the King's Chamber,
in this pavement, and in the casing-stones, is perfectly
unrivalled ; and there is no reason to doubt that the whole
exterior of this vast structure was covered with the same
excellent masonry.
May 13th.
Reis, 9. Men, 114. Children, 10G.
The same works were repeated.
The Sheiks of Cafr el Batran, and of Harranieh,
reported that the men of their respective villages would
be sent for to clear out a canal in the neighbourhood.
I went accordingly to Cairo in the evening, with Mr. Hill
and Mr. Raven, and arranged, with Mr. Piozan, to visit
had been united. It was said that wood had been used for that purpose
in the same manner as in the Grecian temples, but I could not discover any
of that substance, nor yet of metallic fastenings ; in searching, however,
between the joints of one of the larger columns, the upper part of which,
with its stupendous architrave, had fallen over probably many centuries
before, I discovered ill a cavity formed at the centre, in the shape of
double wedges meeting at the points, a quantity of white cement, which,
notwithstanding a long exposure to the extreme heat of the climate, had
not been pulverised, but still retained a degree of moisture, and could
be cut with a knife.