DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.6552#0098
OPERATIONS CARRIED OX AT GIZEH.
77
eastward sixty-five feet, it was about four feet wide,
and was completely full of sand. One or two trifling
fissures branched off from it, but the sides were very
regular, and tbe working of a chisel might in many places
be observed; the eastern end, indeed, to the length of
six feet is entirely artificial, and ends abruptly in the
rock. It may possibly communicate with sepulchral
shafts, or be connected with the water, and deserves a
stricter investigation than I had time to bestow upon it.
I have mentioned, that the ground in many places
sounds as if it were hollow; and I have no doubt, that it
contains a number of curious excavations; but the vast
body of sand which has accumulated from various causes,
makes it impossible, without much time and labour, to
ascertain the different levels and foundations, much more
to form a general idea of the whole. It is probable,
however, that advantage was taken of the quarries from
which the stones were cut for the Pyramids; and as that
operation would naturally be guided by the quality of the
material, that no regular plan was followed as to the
position or size of the tombs.
August 1st.
Reis, 11. Men, 138. Children, 84.
Third Pyramid.—Clearing out the passages.
Eighth Pyramid. — Excavation for entrance.
Ninth Pyramid. — Clearing out the Chamber.
Mr. Perring, Mr. Mash, Mr. Raven, and Mr. Hill
arrived. The passages of the Third Pyramid were at
length practicable, although a quantity of sand and
rubbish yet remained in them. Indeed, the anteroom,
the chamber with the portcullis, and a considerable part
77
eastward sixty-five feet, it was about four feet wide,
and was completely full of sand. One or two trifling
fissures branched off from it, but the sides were very
regular, and tbe working of a chisel might in many places
be observed; the eastern end, indeed, to the length of
six feet is entirely artificial, and ends abruptly in the
rock. It may possibly communicate with sepulchral
shafts, or be connected with the water, and deserves a
stricter investigation than I had time to bestow upon it.
I have mentioned, that the ground in many places
sounds as if it were hollow; and I have no doubt, that it
contains a number of curious excavations; but the vast
body of sand which has accumulated from various causes,
makes it impossible, without much time and labour, to
ascertain the different levels and foundations, much more
to form a general idea of the whole. It is probable,
however, that advantage was taken of the quarries from
which the stones were cut for the Pyramids; and as that
operation would naturally be guided by the quality of the
material, that no regular plan was followed as to the
position or size of the tombs.
August 1st.
Reis, 11. Men, 138. Children, 84.
Third Pyramid.—Clearing out the passages.
Eighth Pyramid. — Excavation for entrance.
Ninth Pyramid. — Clearing out the Chamber.
Mr. Perring, Mr. Mash, Mr. Raven, and Mr. Hill
arrived. The passages of the Third Pyramid were at
length practicable, although a quantity of sand and
rubbish yet remained in them. Indeed, the anteroom,
the chamber with the portcullis, and a considerable part