DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.6553#0133
8-A
APPENDIX*
PYRAMIDS OF BIAHHMOO.
These remains are about five miles from Medeenet el Faioum,
and about half a mile from the village of Biahhmoo. They con-
sist of two masses about 30 feet in height, and in length and
breadth about 30 feet by 22, and likewise of a few smaller heaps,
of well-constructed masonry composed of large blocks of compact
limestone.
A plan is given in the Plate. The original bases appear to
have been squares of about 120 feet, with a space of the same
dimensions between them; and, at the height of about 4 feet G
inches, Pyramids, 114 feet square, seem to have been erected
upon them.
The inclination of the sides was 03° 30', and the appear-
ance of the building when complete, is shewn in the section.
(See Plate.)
According to Pocock, and to other writers, these ruins were
formerly called by the people of the country, " Rigl Faraoon "
(the Legs of Pharaoh); but that name is not at present known,
and the ruins are styled "El Senem " (the Statue), or " Mus-
tahmel" (the Bathed); and Mr. Perring imagines, that, as antient
names and traditions were probably preserved in the secluded
province of the Faioum, long after the occupation of the rest of
the country by the Mahometans, these names indicate that the
ruins mark the site of the Pyramids described by Herodotus
(B. II. c. 149) to have been surmounted by colossal statues, and
that the Pyramids were not built in the Lake, but in the waters
of the inundation; for he saw near Senhoris the artificial dyke,
which M. Linant had observed, and which was evidently intended
to retain the waters, notwithstanding the elevation of the ground
above the level of the lake; and indeed he considers that the
exaggerated accounts of Herodotus respecting the lake itself, may
in this manner be accounted for. He also remarks, that Sir J. G.
Wilkinson appears to be of the same opinion ("Thebes, and
General View of Egypt," p. 354); and at all events, that these
are the only remains, which in any degree answer the description
of the antient author.
APPENDIX*
PYRAMIDS OF BIAHHMOO.
These remains are about five miles from Medeenet el Faioum,
and about half a mile from the village of Biahhmoo. They con-
sist of two masses about 30 feet in height, and in length and
breadth about 30 feet by 22, and likewise of a few smaller heaps,
of well-constructed masonry composed of large blocks of compact
limestone.
A plan is given in the Plate. The original bases appear to
have been squares of about 120 feet, with a space of the same
dimensions between them; and, at the height of about 4 feet G
inches, Pyramids, 114 feet square, seem to have been erected
upon them.
The inclination of the sides was 03° 30', and the appear-
ance of the building when complete, is shewn in the section.
(See Plate.)
According to Pocock, and to other writers, these ruins were
formerly called by the people of the country, " Rigl Faraoon "
(the Legs of Pharaoh); but that name is not at present known,
and the ruins are styled "El Senem " (the Statue), or " Mus-
tahmel" (the Bathed); and Mr. Perring imagines, that, as antient
names and traditions were probably preserved in the secluded
province of the Faioum, long after the occupation of the rest of
the country by the Mahometans, these names indicate that the
ruins mark the site of the Pyramids described by Herodotus
(B. II. c. 149) to have been surmounted by colossal statues, and
that the Pyramids were not built in the Lake, but in the waters
of the inundation; for he saw near Senhoris the artificial dyke,
which M. Linant had observed, and which was evidently intended
to retain the waters, notwithstanding the elevation of the ground
above the level of the lake; and indeed he considers that the
exaggerated accounts of Herodotus respecting the lake itself, may
in this manner be accounted for. He also remarks, that Sir J. G.
Wilkinson appears to be of the same opinion ("Thebes, and
General View of Egypt," p. 354); and at all events, that these
are the only remains, which in any degree answer the description
of the antient author.