DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.6553#0182
112
APPENDIX.
it was therefore supposed that the Sphinx was placed upon a
pedestal; hut, hy extending the operations in front of the statue,
the platform was found to he continued, and the steps (11) were
discovered. They were bounded on each side by walls formed of
unburnt brick (MM in ground-plan), like those, which enclosed
the antient cities, and temples of Egypt. The inner sides of the
walls, nearest the steps, were lined with stone, and were coated
with plaster; the stonework, however, appeared comparatively
modern, for upon several of the blocks were the remains of
Greek inscriptions, which alluded to other buildings. (See Fig. 3,
Plate F;) and another of the inscriptions, recorded repairs,
which were performed by the orders of Antoninus, and of Verus.
'I lie walls appeared to branch off towards the north, and also to-
wards the south, and to form a large enclosure around the Sphinx ;
but their direction was not ascertained.7 The steps, about a foot in
breadth, and eight inches in height, were thirty in number. They
ended abruptly on the northern side, so as to leave a passage
between them and the wall. (See NN in ground-plan.) This
passage was not examined.
" On a stone platform, at the top of the steps, was a small
building (0 in ground-plan), which, from its construction, and
from various inscriptions found near it, seemed to have been
a station (see Fig. 1, Plate C),8 whence the emperors, and other
persons of distinction, who visited the Pyramids, could witness
the religious ceremonies performed at the altar below. An in-
scription on the front of it was much worn. (See Fig. 1, Plate F.)
" Another inscription on a stele (see Plate G) was found at p
in ground-plan. It was erected in the time of the Emperor
Nero, and bestows on him the epithet ayudo; haipon, which is also
found on his coins, with the figure of a crowned serpent, the true
symbol of that title. Dr. Young has indeed stated that ayuOog
dui,aoiv was often represented in Egyptian mythology by a
winged globe; but wings were the emblems of Ptha, and a
globe of Plire, and together with the crowned snake, they
formed the symbol of the great god.
" The platform above the steps was of narrower dimensions, and
the abutments (RR in ground-plan) had a theatrical appearance.
In a few days another flight of thirteen steps was discovered,
and another small building (at T in ground-plan, see Plate)
7 Part of a wall lias been found in a direction from north to south, near
the Shaft No. 0, in the map in the first volume.
8 Fig. 2, Plate C, is a restoration of this building by Mr. Salt.
APPENDIX.
it was therefore supposed that the Sphinx was placed upon a
pedestal; hut, hy extending the operations in front of the statue,
the platform was found to he continued, and the steps (11) were
discovered. They were bounded on each side by walls formed of
unburnt brick (MM in ground-plan), like those, which enclosed
the antient cities, and temples of Egypt. The inner sides of the
walls, nearest the steps, were lined with stone, and were coated
with plaster; the stonework, however, appeared comparatively
modern, for upon several of the blocks were the remains of
Greek inscriptions, which alluded to other buildings. (See Fig. 3,
Plate F;) and another of the inscriptions, recorded repairs,
which were performed by the orders of Antoninus, and of Verus.
'I lie walls appeared to branch off towards the north, and also to-
wards the south, and to form a large enclosure around the Sphinx ;
but their direction was not ascertained.7 The steps, about a foot in
breadth, and eight inches in height, were thirty in number. They
ended abruptly on the northern side, so as to leave a passage
between them and the wall. (See NN in ground-plan.) This
passage was not examined.
" On a stone platform, at the top of the steps, was a small
building (0 in ground-plan), which, from its construction, and
from various inscriptions found near it, seemed to have been
a station (see Fig. 1, Plate C),8 whence the emperors, and other
persons of distinction, who visited the Pyramids, could witness
the religious ceremonies performed at the altar below. An in-
scription on the front of it was much worn. (See Fig. 1, Plate F.)
" Another inscription on a stele (see Plate G) was found at p
in ground-plan. It was erected in the time of the Emperor
Nero, and bestows on him the epithet ayudo; haipon, which is also
found on his coins, with the figure of a crowned serpent, the true
symbol of that title. Dr. Young has indeed stated that ayuOog
dui,aoiv was often represented in Egyptian mythology by a
winged globe; but wings were the emblems of Ptha, and a
globe of Plire, and together with the crowned snake, they
formed the symbol of the great god.
" The platform above the steps was of narrower dimensions, and
the abutments (RR in ground-plan) had a theatrical appearance.
In a few days another flight of thirteen steps was discovered,
and another small building (at T in ground-plan, see Plate)
7 Part of a wall lias been found in a direction from north to south, near
the Shaft No. 0, in the map in the first volume.
8 Fig. 2, Plate C, is a restoration of this building by Mr. Salt.