DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.6552#0302
APPENDIX.
263
erected upon a ledge of rocks, not more than fifty feet above the
adjacent plain, which had furnished the materials of which they
are built, consisting of a white calcareous stone, known in
France by the name of "Rairie." He observes, that if the
Pyramids had been intended for observatories, they would most
probably have been built upon the higher range of the Mokattam.
He also remarks, that an elevated observatory is useless in a flat
country, and that the ascents of many of these monuments were
impracticable ; and he does not think it likely that so many similar
buildings would have been constructed so near each other for the
same purpose. From the size of the sarcophagus in the Great
Pyramid, and from the rocks and adjoining grounds having been
evidently used as a cemetery, he is of opinion that they are
tombs, and adduces the etymology of the word Pyramid as an
additional argument. He found that the King's Chamber was
thirteen paces long, eleven wide, and the same in height. He
says, besides the Great Pyramid at Gizeh, one at Saccara had
been opened, and that an unsuccessful attempt had been also
made by one of the Beys on the northern front of the Third
Pyramid at the former place.7
Monumcns Egyptians, par Boucuard et Gravier (1791).
In this collection, which, as far as the monuments of Gizeh are
concerned, is of no sort of value, there is a curious representation
of a Pyramid (in Tlate XXII.) called "Monument Sepulcral,"
with various entrances and temples. Where or to whom it was
erected does not appear. It seems to have been restored. Plate
XXIII.. No. 1, is a Pyramid of five stages, said to be situated
northward of Saccara. No. 2 is a Pyramid of four stuges, but its
situation is not mentioned. Plate XXIV. represents the Pyramids
of Mceris and of his Queen, said to have been built in the lake,
With a temple between them, and staircases, entrances, &c.
Plate XXV. is a Pyramid of Ptolemy Euergetes, the ruins of
which are stated to be near Thebes. It has the addition of a
Pedestal, sphinxes, &c. Plate XXVI., the Great Pyramid of
Gizeh, the base of which is said to be about eight hundred feet.
' He adds also, that, about 1780, one hundred manuscripts, in unknown dia-
meters, were dug up near Damietta, and burnt by order of the Pacha of Cairo.
263
erected upon a ledge of rocks, not more than fifty feet above the
adjacent plain, which had furnished the materials of which they
are built, consisting of a white calcareous stone, known in
France by the name of "Rairie." He observes, that if the
Pyramids had been intended for observatories, they would most
probably have been built upon the higher range of the Mokattam.
He also remarks, that an elevated observatory is useless in a flat
country, and that the ascents of many of these monuments were
impracticable ; and he does not think it likely that so many similar
buildings would have been constructed so near each other for the
same purpose. From the size of the sarcophagus in the Great
Pyramid, and from the rocks and adjoining grounds having been
evidently used as a cemetery, he is of opinion that they are
tombs, and adduces the etymology of the word Pyramid as an
additional argument. He found that the King's Chamber was
thirteen paces long, eleven wide, and the same in height. He
says, besides the Great Pyramid at Gizeh, one at Saccara had
been opened, and that an unsuccessful attempt had been also
made by one of the Beys on the northern front of the Third
Pyramid at the former place.7
Monumcns Egyptians, par Boucuard et Gravier (1791).
In this collection, which, as far as the monuments of Gizeh are
concerned, is of no sort of value, there is a curious representation
of a Pyramid (in Tlate XXII.) called "Monument Sepulcral,"
with various entrances and temples. Where or to whom it was
erected does not appear. It seems to have been restored. Plate
XXIII.. No. 1, is a Pyramid of five stages, said to be situated
northward of Saccara. No. 2 is a Pyramid of four stuges, but its
situation is not mentioned. Plate XXIV. represents the Pyramids
of Mceris and of his Queen, said to have been built in the lake,
With a temple between them, and staircases, entrances, &c.
Plate XXV. is a Pyramid of Ptolemy Euergetes, the ruins of
which are stated to be near Thebes. It has the addition of a
Pedestal, sphinxes, &c. Plate XXVI., the Great Pyramid of
Gizeh, the base of which is said to be about eight hundred feet.
' He adds also, that, about 1780, one hundred manuscripts, in unknown dia-
meters, were dug up near Damietta, and burnt by order of the Pacha of Cairo.