DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.6552#0108
84
OPERATIONS CARRIED ON AT GIZEH.
in the position represented. (See Plate III., Figs. 2 and
5.) It was entirely empty, and composed of basalt,
which bore a fine polish of a shaded brown colour,
but was blue where it had been chipped off, or broken.4
Some sharp substance, such as emery powder, had been
used in its construction, and it appeared to have been
sawn, which is remarkable, as the art of sawing marble
was not known at Rome till a late period.5 It was
finely carved in compartments, and the ornaments upon it
resembled in some degree the architectural decorations in
the tomb of Numbers, and those carved upon two blocks
of stone now exhibited in the British Museum, and which
formerly belonged to the collection of the late Mr. Salt.
gave way. As they could not be repaired for want of space, the sarco-
phagus was slowly lifted by levers, and got out by degrees ; which, con-
sidering that its weight was nearly three tons, was an arduous undertak-
ing. It was, however, at last safely hauled out, and placed on a proper
carriage, in which, with the assistance of planks, it was drawn over the
rocks and sands to the tents, and afterwards cased with strong timbers, to
be sent to the British Museum. It was embarked at Alexandria in the
autumn of 1838, on board a merchant-ship, which was supposed to have
been lost off Carthagena, as she never was heard of after her departure
from Leghorn on the 12th of October in that year, and as some parts of
the wreck were picked up near the former port.
* A piece of it has been sent to the British Museum.
5 Mr. Perring has since discovered, in two tombs to the south of the
Seventh, Eighth, and Ninth Pyramids, a complete representation of
which is also given by Signor Rosellini (Tom. I., tav. ii., 32), by Mr.
Burton in his " Excerpta," and has been since discovered in the pyra-
mids at Abouseir.
the end of this sarcophagus, with the
lid upon it. The hieroglyphics in
these grottoes are greatly defaced,
but they contain this cartouche,
OPERATIONS CARRIED ON AT GIZEH.
in the position represented. (See Plate III., Figs. 2 and
5.) It was entirely empty, and composed of basalt,
which bore a fine polish of a shaded brown colour,
but was blue where it had been chipped off, or broken.4
Some sharp substance, such as emery powder, had been
used in its construction, and it appeared to have been
sawn, which is remarkable, as the art of sawing marble
was not known at Rome till a late period.5 It was
finely carved in compartments, and the ornaments upon it
resembled in some degree the architectural decorations in
the tomb of Numbers, and those carved upon two blocks
of stone now exhibited in the British Museum, and which
formerly belonged to the collection of the late Mr. Salt.
gave way. As they could not be repaired for want of space, the sarco-
phagus was slowly lifted by levers, and got out by degrees ; which, con-
sidering that its weight was nearly three tons, was an arduous undertak-
ing. It was, however, at last safely hauled out, and placed on a proper
carriage, in which, with the assistance of planks, it was drawn over the
rocks and sands to the tents, and afterwards cased with strong timbers, to
be sent to the British Museum. It was embarked at Alexandria in the
autumn of 1838, on board a merchant-ship, which was supposed to have
been lost off Carthagena, as she never was heard of after her departure
from Leghorn on the 12th of October in that year, and as some parts of
the wreck were picked up near the former port.
* A piece of it has been sent to the British Museum.
5 Mr. Perring has since discovered, in two tombs to the south of the
Seventh, Eighth, and Ninth Pyramids, a complete representation of
which is also given by Signor Rosellini (Tom. I., tav. ii., 32), by Mr.
Burton in his " Excerpta," and has been since discovered in the pyra-
mids at Abouseir.
the end of this sarcophagus, with the
lid upon it. The hieroglyphics in
these grottoes are greatly defaced,
but they contain this cartouche,