DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.3557#0009
THE PYRAMIDS OF GIZEH.
PLATE XIV.
FIG. Ill-VIEW OF THE CASING - STONES.
The Casing-Stones, and the' Pavement, (in which is the chasm before alluded to), are here represented on a larger scale; the sketch
also comprehends the excavation made by the Khalifs. The mound of rubbish was cleared away in search of the subterraneous
passage mentioned by Herodotus, so that the discovery of the casing was accidental; it has however put an end to all doubt on
that subject, and has established the fact, that the Pyramid was covered with a smooth revetment. It has also given the angle of
the original exterior, which was 51° 50', and has greatly assisted in measuring the Base. The Pavement is of the finest description
without the line of the Building; but where it was to serve as a foundation, it has been levelled with the greatest exactness, and
the joints made perfectly even. Nothing can exceed the beauty of the Casing-Stones, two of which were perfect when first
discovered; they had been polished down to one uniform surface; the joints were scarcely perceptible, and not wider than the
thickness of silver paper; and such is the tenacity of the cement, with which they are held together, that a fragment of one that
had been destroyed, remained, (as may be seen in the Drawing,) exactly in its place notwithstanding the violence, to which it had
been exposed, and could scarcely be removed without being broken. The dimensions of the blocks are as follow. The top
4 feet 3 inches; the perpendicular side 4 feet 11 inches; the base 8 feet 3 inches; the inclined side 6 feet 3 inches.*
PLATE XIV.
FIG. IV. -VIGNETTE,
The Vignette represents the western excavation on a smaller scale, in order to give a better idea of the operations.
PLATE XV.
FIG. I.-THE TENTS.
This Sketch describes the position of the Tents near the Tombs called " Habitable," in Plate XII. The whole eastern face
of the rocks, upon which the Great Pyramid is built, appears to have been cut into different ranges of Tombs, and to have been
afterwards covered over by the gradual accumulation of desert sands till a sloping mass had been formed from the top of the rocks to the
plain below. Towards the upper ranges of these grottoes, a sufficient quantity of sand was cleared away to form a terrace, upon
which the tents were pitched; and the several excavations, besides affording kitchens and other apartments, were converted into store-
houses of various descriptions. The sides were enclosed by walling, and in front by a low fence made of reeds, so that a fine
prospect was obtained across the sands of the cultivated plain interspersed with villages, and bounded by the range of the
Mokattam, with Cairo in the distance towards the north-east, and the Pyramids of Saccara and Abousir on a mountain range
to the southward. The carpenters, blacksmiths, and other attendants, were lodged in tombs without the enclosure ; and a well in
the plain below afforded an abundant supply of excellent water. This place is still kept up for the accommodation of future
travellers.
A winding path from it to the northward conducts to the Great Pyramid.
PLATE XV.
FIG. II.-BRIDGE IN THE SOUTHERN DYKE.
The situation of the Southern Dyke maybe seen in the Map. The Bridge 8 feet 9 inches long, and 27 feet 8 inches broad,
is composed of stones 22 feet long, and 6 feet 6 inches deep. As the sand was not cleared away from the bottom, the depth could
not be ascertained ; but water is found in an adjacent well near the palm trees, 22 feet below the plain ; the original height therefore of
the Bridge must have been considerable. It was probably built over a canal, by which the plain was irrigated, and the workmen also
supplied with the vast quantity of water necessary, not only for their own consumption, but also for the mortar and cement used
in the enormous buildings upon the adjacent mountains.
As I found during the time I remained in Egypt that one of them had been slightly injured, I covered them over with a quantity of rubbish before I left that country. They have been since again examined, and, I am sorry to add, broken to pieces.
END OF THE FIRST PART.
LONDON (—PRINTED BY JAMES MOYES, CASTLE STREET, LEICESTER SQUARE.
*
PLATE XIV.
FIG. Ill-VIEW OF THE CASING - STONES.
The Casing-Stones, and the' Pavement, (in which is the chasm before alluded to), are here represented on a larger scale; the sketch
also comprehends the excavation made by the Khalifs. The mound of rubbish was cleared away in search of the subterraneous
passage mentioned by Herodotus, so that the discovery of the casing was accidental; it has however put an end to all doubt on
that subject, and has established the fact, that the Pyramid was covered with a smooth revetment. It has also given the angle of
the original exterior, which was 51° 50', and has greatly assisted in measuring the Base. The Pavement is of the finest description
without the line of the Building; but where it was to serve as a foundation, it has been levelled with the greatest exactness, and
the joints made perfectly even. Nothing can exceed the beauty of the Casing-Stones, two of which were perfect when first
discovered; they had been polished down to one uniform surface; the joints were scarcely perceptible, and not wider than the
thickness of silver paper; and such is the tenacity of the cement, with which they are held together, that a fragment of one that
had been destroyed, remained, (as may be seen in the Drawing,) exactly in its place notwithstanding the violence, to which it had
been exposed, and could scarcely be removed without being broken. The dimensions of the blocks are as follow. The top
4 feet 3 inches; the perpendicular side 4 feet 11 inches; the base 8 feet 3 inches; the inclined side 6 feet 3 inches.*
PLATE XIV.
FIG. IV. -VIGNETTE,
The Vignette represents the western excavation on a smaller scale, in order to give a better idea of the operations.
PLATE XV.
FIG. I.-THE TENTS.
This Sketch describes the position of the Tents near the Tombs called " Habitable," in Plate XII. The whole eastern face
of the rocks, upon which the Great Pyramid is built, appears to have been cut into different ranges of Tombs, and to have been
afterwards covered over by the gradual accumulation of desert sands till a sloping mass had been formed from the top of the rocks to the
plain below. Towards the upper ranges of these grottoes, a sufficient quantity of sand was cleared away to form a terrace, upon
which the tents were pitched; and the several excavations, besides affording kitchens and other apartments, were converted into store-
houses of various descriptions. The sides were enclosed by walling, and in front by a low fence made of reeds, so that a fine
prospect was obtained across the sands of the cultivated plain interspersed with villages, and bounded by the range of the
Mokattam, with Cairo in the distance towards the north-east, and the Pyramids of Saccara and Abousir on a mountain range
to the southward. The carpenters, blacksmiths, and other attendants, were lodged in tombs without the enclosure ; and a well in
the plain below afforded an abundant supply of excellent water. This place is still kept up for the accommodation of future
travellers.
A winding path from it to the northward conducts to the Great Pyramid.
PLATE XV.
FIG. II.-BRIDGE IN THE SOUTHERN DYKE.
The situation of the Southern Dyke maybe seen in the Map. The Bridge 8 feet 9 inches long, and 27 feet 8 inches broad,
is composed of stones 22 feet long, and 6 feet 6 inches deep. As the sand was not cleared away from the bottom, the depth could
not be ascertained ; but water is found in an adjacent well near the palm trees, 22 feet below the plain ; the original height therefore of
the Bridge must have been considerable. It was probably built over a canal, by which the plain was irrigated, and the workmen also
supplied with the vast quantity of water necessary, not only for their own consumption, but also for the mortar and cement used
in the enormous buildings upon the adjacent mountains.
As I found during the time I remained in Egypt that one of them had been slightly injured, I covered them over with a quantity of rubbish before I left that country. They have been since again examined, and, I am sorry to add, broken to pieces.
END OF THE FIRST PART.
LONDON (—PRINTED BY JAMES MOYES, CASTLE STREET, LEICESTER SQUARE.
*