Naville, Edouard: The temple of Deir el Bahari (Band 6): The lower terrace, additions and plans (London, 1908)

20

DEIB EL BAHARI.

affirmed to be the bases of obelisks. As these were
cleared, it was seen that each inclosure was provided
with a means of pouring water into it through an
earthenware pot forming a species of pipe piercing
the wall.
We naturally searched for the reason of such an
arrangement, and presently found still standing in
their original places the remains of small trees. These
were stated by Dr. G. D. Schweinfurth to be the Persea
(Mimu."ops Schirnperi of Abyssinia).
To return to the inclosure wall, from the south-east
angle and going westward it is to be traced by a line
of limestone chips. As we approach the wall of the
Lower Terrace, even these have been removed, but
presently the wall shows again above the ground,
standing on a footing of sandstone. At the base we
observe the wall to be 2'04 thick as before, and we see
clearly what a mere skin the facing is.
Each course of facing stones is laid headers and
stretchers.1 The horizontal joints between each course
of the facing are really horizontal, and are not sloped
and interlocked after the method commonly seen in
Egyptian building.
The inclosure wall as it proceeds westward is found
to be not quite parallel with the retaining wall of the
second court of the temple, but inclines towards it as
is shown on the plan.
At the place where the sandstone footing course
crosses the space between the two walls, it may be
observed that these footing courses under the inclosure
wall are well cut and closely jointed, but no mortar
is visible between the joints. The sandstone courses
under the retaining Avail (which keeps the floor of the
middle platform in its place) are, on the other hand,
set in lime mortar of a dazzling whiteness, and on the
mortar we can trace the finger impressions of the
workmen, who evidently had not trowels but worked
with their bare hands. The inclosure Avail does not
rest entirely on a bed of sandstone ; only the outer
facing stones rest on this material.
Having made sundry observations on the inclosure
wall, we must now enter the lower or Eastern Court,
■or platform.
Immediately in front of us, on the axial line of
Lower platform tne temple (section on line E F, pi.
or
Eastern Court. CLXX.), Ave see an inclined causeAvay
rising towards the second or middle platform. This is
1 The headers are not bonded into the loose stuff behind them.

Lower
colonnade.

flanked on either side by a colonnade
of tAvelve intercolumniations.
The columns present toAvards the exterior a square
face, but on consulting the plan it is seen that they are
of an unusual form, someAvhat like the letter D, the
curved side inwards. Thus from Avithin the colonnade
they correspond in appearance Avith the range of
polygonal columns which stand behind the first.
The wall forming the back of the colonnade is not
A-ertical, but inclines toAvards the Avest as it rises from
the floor. The columns, architra\res, cornices, &c, are
built entirely of limestone. The architraves and upper
parts of the columns had been ruined ; and Avhen the
Avork of the Kgypt Exploration Fund was begun, the
Avhole was nearly hidden under a long slope of debris
fallen from the cliffs Avhich encircle the temple on the
Avest. The colonnade on the north side has suffered
more than that on the south, a large tomb having
been previously excavated in the higher ground behind
it, and then filled in. On the surface of the Avail
Avhich forms the back of the colonnade is depicted the
scene of conveying two obelisks by Avater (see Vol. VI.,
pll. CLI1L, CLIV). In order that these sculptures
might be protected after their many centuries of burial,
the southern colonnade was reconstructed and roofed
over in the manner that Avill be hereafter described.
Immediately south of the sloping causeAvay Avere
found the remains of two more trees, but these Avere
not placed Avithin inclosing walls, and indeed Avere
planted in a someAvhat haphazard Avay. Evidences
Avere found of trees having been planted in other
places. The colonnaded facade Avas flanked north
and south by Aving Avails, that on the north unpierced,
that on the south pierced by a doonvay leading to the
long narroAv space betAveen the retaining Avail of the
middle platform and the inclosure Avail of the temple.
Ascending the inclined causeAvay we find ourselves
Middle on the middle platform or second
platform. Court of the temple (see elevation on
line C D, pi. CLXX.). The first object that strikes the
eye is the great expanse of facade ; for not only is the
Middle inclined causeAvay Avhich leads to the
colonnade. upper platform or third Court of the
temple flanked by colonnades of twelve intercolumnia-
tions, but beyond these on the north and south extend
other facades continuing the horizontal lines. To the
north is seen the facade of the Northern Speos, to the
south that of the Southern Speos, each of these con-
sisting of five intercolumniations and presenting fronts