DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.6552#0094
OPERATIONS CARRIED ON AT GIZEH. 73
by the violence that had been used in removing the blocks
with which the passage, as far as the anteroom, had ori-
ginally been closed up.9 It formed, however, in its pre-
sent state, a strong contrast to the fine workmanship dis-
played in the passages of the other large pyramids, and
also on its own exterior. At the junction of the masonry
with the rock, the roof of the passage had been forced,
possibly on account of the stone B, which might have
been supposed to have concealed an entrance, and an
excavation (E, PI. I. Fig. 2) had been carried up into the
solid building, on the outside of one of the steps or stages,
of which the interior of this pyramid is built.1 Beyond
the excavation the passage was much encumbered with
stones and rubbish, but continued practicable for some
distance, as the larger fragments had been piled up along
the western side to make room for a man to pass: further
down it was entirely filled up with sand and stones.
Conceiving that the obstruction extended only for a few
feet, I sent Abd-El-Ardi to force his way; but he was
unable to proceed, and we were obliged to postpone all
further investigation till the rubbish had been removed.
Some fragments of common pottery, a small piece of stick,
9 Mr. Perring is of opinion that, to facilitate the insertion of these
stones, a composition of Nile earth and small pebbles was spread on the
floor of the passage, down which they slided.
1 It consists of two sorts of masonry, one infinitely better than the
other as to the size of the stones, and as to the workmanship in general;
and although the exterior is in one continued line, the bulk of it is
constructed in stages, diminishing as they ascend, which were probably
the altars, or steps, mentioned by Herodotus at the Great Pyramid, upon
■which were placed the machines employed in raising the materials; for
the courses of stone were not of sufficient width for that purpose.
by the violence that had been used in removing the blocks
with which the passage, as far as the anteroom, had ori-
ginally been closed up.9 It formed, however, in its pre-
sent state, a strong contrast to the fine workmanship dis-
played in the passages of the other large pyramids, and
also on its own exterior. At the junction of the masonry
with the rock, the roof of the passage had been forced,
possibly on account of the stone B, which might have
been supposed to have concealed an entrance, and an
excavation (E, PI. I. Fig. 2) had been carried up into the
solid building, on the outside of one of the steps or stages,
of which the interior of this pyramid is built.1 Beyond
the excavation the passage was much encumbered with
stones and rubbish, but continued practicable for some
distance, as the larger fragments had been piled up along
the western side to make room for a man to pass: further
down it was entirely filled up with sand and stones.
Conceiving that the obstruction extended only for a few
feet, I sent Abd-El-Ardi to force his way; but he was
unable to proceed, and we were obliged to postpone all
further investigation till the rubbish had been removed.
Some fragments of common pottery, a small piece of stick,
9 Mr. Perring is of opinion that, to facilitate the insertion of these
stones, a composition of Nile earth and small pebbles was spread on the
floor of the passage, down which they slided.
1 It consists of two sorts of masonry, one infinitely better than the
other as to the size of the stones, and as to the workmanship in general;
and although the exterior is in one continued line, the bulk of it is
constructed in stages, diminishing as they ascend, which were probably
the altars, or steps, mentioned by Herodotus at the Great Pyramid, upon
■which were placed the machines employed in raising the materials; for
the courses of stone were not of sufficient width for that purpose.