DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.6552#0396
APPENDIX.
3oT
three hours, and found at the summit a space sufficient for eight
camels to lie down, and upon it a hody, wrapped up in cloths, so
much decomposed hy time, that scarcely any part of them remained,
except an embroidery of gold. A hall was likewise mentioned in
this Pyramid, whence three doors led to as many chambers; that
the doors were ten cubits long and five broad, and were composed
of marble slabs, beautifully put together, and inscribed with
unknown characters. They are said to have resisted their
efforts for three days; but being at length forced open, three
marble columns were discovered at the distance of ten cubits, sup-
porting the images of three birds in flames of fire. Upon the
first, was that of a dove, formed of green stone; upon the second,
tliat of a hawk, of yellow stone; and upon the third, the image
of a cock, of red stone. Upon moving the hawk, the door which
was opposite moved, and upon lifting it up, the door was raised;
and the same connexion existed between the other images and
doors. In one of the chambers they found three couches, formed
of a shining stone, and upon them three bodies; each body was
shrouded in three garments, and over their heads were tablets
inscribed with unknown characters. The other chamber con-
tained arches of stone, and upon them chests of the same material,
full of arms and of other instruments. The length of one of the
swords was seven spans; and the coats of mail measured twelve
spans. All these tilings were brought out, and the doors were
closed, as at first, by order of the caliph. The number of the
Pyramids are said to have been eighteen ; the three greatest
were opposite-to Fostat; and the base of the largest was a square
of five hundred cubits. A sarcophagus is also said to have been
found in the Pyramid, covered with a lid of stone, and filled with
gold ; and upon the cover was written, in Arabic characters,
" Abou Amad built this Pyramid in 1000 days."
The caliph is likewise said to have found a hollow image of
a man made of green stone, and covered with a stone like an
emerald, which contained a body in golden armour, a sword
of inestimable value, and a ruby as large as an egg. According
to some accounts, the hollow case of green stone was to be seen
at the palace at Cairo in 511 a.h.4
4 The author also gives an account, that the same person who built the Pharos
at Alexandria, built the Pyramids; and mentions, with several other fabulous cir-
cumstances, that it was Jaminai, the son of Shcddad, and that his name was
recorded upon a high column.— Dr. Sprcngcr.
3oT
three hours, and found at the summit a space sufficient for eight
camels to lie down, and upon it a hody, wrapped up in cloths, so
much decomposed hy time, that scarcely any part of them remained,
except an embroidery of gold. A hall was likewise mentioned in
this Pyramid, whence three doors led to as many chambers; that
the doors were ten cubits long and five broad, and were composed
of marble slabs, beautifully put together, and inscribed with
unknown characters. They are said to have resisted their
efforts for three days; but being at length forced open, three
marble columns were discovered at the distance of ten cubits, sup-
porting the images of three birds in flames of fire. Upon the
first, was that of a dove, formed of green stone; upon the second,
tliat of a hawk, of yellow stone; and upon the third, the image
of a cock, of red stone. Upon moving the hawk, the door which
was opposite moved, and upon lifting it up, the door was raised;
and the same connexion existed between the other images and
doors. In one of the chambers they found three couches, formed
of a shining stone, and upon them three bodies; each body was
shrouded in three garments, and over their heads were tablets
inscribed with unknown characters. The other chamber con-
tained arches of stone, and upon them chests of the same material,
full of arms and of other instruments. The length of one of the
swords was seven spans; and the coats of mail measured twelve
spans. All these tilings were brought out, and the doors were
closed, as at first, by order of the caliph. The number of the
Pyramids are said to have been eighteen ; the three greatest
were opposite-to Fostat; and the base of the largest was a square
of five hundred cubits. A sarcophagus is also said to have been
found in the Pyramid, covered with a lid of stone, and filled with
gold ; and upon the cover was written, in Arabic characters,
" Abou Amad built this Pyramid in 1000 days."
The caliph is likewise said to have found a hollow image of
a man made of green stone, and covered with a stone like an
emerald, which contained a body in golden armour, a sword
of inestimable value, and a ruby as large as an egg. According
to some accounts, the hollow case of green stone was to be seen
at the palace at Cairo in 511 a.h.4
4 The author also gives an account, that the same person who built the Pharos
at Alexandria, built the Pyramids; and mentions, with several other fabulous cir-
cumstances, that it was Jaminai, the son of Shcddad, and that his name was
recorded upon a high column.— Dr. Sprcngcr.