DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.3559#0006
PYRAMID OF ABOU ROASH.
LEVELS ON THE 7th OF JUNE, 1837.
From the brink of the Well of Sweet Water, to that of the well at the palm trees
From the brink of the well at the palm trees, to the top of the shaft north of the
Sphinx, No. 3 ............
From the top of the shaft north of the Sphinx, No. 3, to the top of the shaft west
of the Sphinx, No. 2 ...... . ....
From the top of the shaft west of the Sphinx, No. 2, to the south-eastern angle of
Campbell's Tomb............
From the south-eastern, to the south-western angle of Campbell's Tomb
From the south-western, to the north-western angle of CampbelFs Tomb
From the north-eastern angle of Campbell's Tomb, to the top of shaft, No. 1, between
Campbell's Tomb, and Second Pyramid, ascending.....
From the north-western, to north-eastern angle of Campbell's Tomb, descending
Feet.
Inches
0
8|
23
8*
8
KS.
13
10|
2
73
' 4
3
4.3
^4-
35
llf
88
10
2
7*
Total ascent from the brink of the Well of Sweet Water to the brink of the shaft
between Campbell's Tomb and the Second Pyramid, No. 1, ascending .
From the top of the shaft between Campbell's Tomb and the Second Pyramid, No. 1,
to the north-eastern angle of the Great Pyramid, ascending ....
Depth from the brink to the water in the Well of Sweet Water
It will therefore appear that the base of the Great Pyramid was higher than the
water in the well in that month* .........
Depth from the brink to the water in the Well of Sweet Water on the 7th of June, 1837,
In the well at palm trees, depth to the water on the 7th of June, 1837
In the shaft north of Sphinx, No. 3, depth to the water on the 7th of June, 1837
In the shaft west of Sphinx, No. 2 ........
In the shaft between Campbell's Tomb and the Second Pyramid, No. 1 .
Feet.
Inches
86
H
40
5
126
71
19
8
146
si
19
8
22
0
47
4
55
4
113
7
From the water in the well at the palm trees to the under side of the great stone
at the bridge in the southern mound ........
The water in the well at the palm trees was lower than that in the Well of Sweet
Water, when the water in the latter had not been used .....
And in the evening, when the water had been used ......
The water in the shaft to the north of the Sphinx, No. 3, was lower than that in
the well at the palm trees ..........
The water in the shaft west of the Sphinx, No. 2, was higher than that in the shaft
north of the Sphinx, No. 3 ......... .
The water in the shaft between Campbell's Tomb and the Second Pyramid, No. 1,
was lower than that in the shaft west of the Sphinx, No. 2
The water in the shaft, therefore, between Campbell's Tomb and the Second Pyramid,
No. 1, was lower than the water in the Well of Sweet Water
?eet.
Inches
5
31
04
1
71
I 4
0
7|
1
7*
0
>«
4 H|
7 84
Now the level of the low Nile, on the 7th of June, 1837, was 137 feet 3 inches below the base of the Great Pyramid;
it therefore appears that, as the water in the shaft, No. 1, was on the 7th of June, 1837, 154 feet below the base of the Great
Pyramid, it was 4 feet higher than the river; and that, as the water was found by observation to have gradually decreased
(it was supposed by evaporation) 1 foot 4 inches on the 23d of October, 1838, it was then 18 feet 1 inch lower than the river;
that the water in shaft, No. 2, was on the 7th of June, 1837, 149 feet J inch below the base of the Great Pyramid, and therefore
8 feet 11 \ inches higher than the Nile; that on the 23d of October, 1838, it had decreased 4 inches, and was therefore
12 feet 1-J inch below the river; that the water in shaft, No. 3, was in June 1837, 149 feet 6^ inches below the base of the
Pyramid, and therefore 8 feet 5f inches above the river; and that, having decreased 3 feet, it was on the 23d of October, 1838,
14 feet 3J inches lower than the river; that the water in the well near the palm trees was on the 7th of June, 1837,
147 feet lOf inches below the base of the Great Pyramid, and therefore 10 feet If inch higher than the river, and 10 feet
7f inches below the river on the 23d of October, 1838 ;f that in June 1837, the water in the Well of Sweet Water near
the tents was 146 feet 3\ inches below the base of the Great Pyramid, and therefore 11 feet 8J inches higher than the river,
and on the 23d of October, 1838, 9 feet \ inch below the river; that the average depth of the foss in Campbell's Tomb is
152 feet 9f inches below the base of the Great Pyramid, and was therefore 5 feet 2\ inches higher than the river in June
1837, and 15 feet 6f inches lower on the 23d of October, 1838; and it is to be observed that it was quite dry.
The Well of Sweet Water was constantly used for the supply of the labourers, and it was sometimes so much exhausted,
that water was procured from other places; yet it was soon replenished, and only lost in the course of the day 1 foot, which
was filled up during the night, when the water was 11 feet 8j inches higher than the river.
PYRAMID OF ABOU ROASH.
PLATE III.
This Pyramid is situated about five miles to the north-westward of those at Gizeh. The base (320 feet square) alone
remains. The defective places have been made good with masonry, but the bulk of it is formed of the mountain (composed of
a hard chalk), which has been reduced to a level around it. No part of the external casing is to be found; indeed the edifice
was not probably ever completed, or even raised to a considerable height, for scarcely any materials, and very little rubbish, are to
be seen, although the situation is difficult of access.
An inclined entrance-passage, and an apartment, lying east and west, have been constructed in an excavation, and have
been lined with fine calcareous stone from the Tourah Quarries.
The passage (about 160 feet in length) is in the centre of the northern front, and descends at an angle of 22° 35'. The
dimensions of the apartment are about 40 feet by 15, and above it smaller chambers appear to have been constructed, similar
to those over the King's Chamber in the Great Pyramid of Gizeh. Hieroglyphics have been inscribed with red ochre on some
of the blocks at the western end, but they cannot be distinctly made out.
Upon the adjacent ground are heaps of broken granite, which may possibly be the chippings of the blocks, originally intended
for an external casing, but afterwards broken up, and carried away for other purposes. The fragments crumble to pieces upon
being handled, and are much decomposed and covered with moss, either from great antiquity, or from an exposure, not only to
the corroding air of the desert, but also to the moist winds of the Delta.
Some other foundations are upon the same height, which has been already described to be composed of chalk, and which
appears to have been worked in very early times (as at present) for the sake of the flints imbedded in it. The levelled space
around the Pyramid is about 510 feet above the plain. The eastern and southern sides of the mountain are nearly perpendicular,
and beneath it to the southward are antient remains. The northern side has been sloped away, and an inclined causeway has
been constructed from the plain below (as is shewn in Fig. 1). It is 4950 feet in length, 30 feet in breadth, and in some
places nearly 40 feet high. About half of it is constructed with masonry.
Fig. 1 is a plan of the Pyramid and of the hills upon which it is placed.
Fig. 2, Plan of excavation, wherein the inclined entrance-passage and the apartment have been formed.
Fig. 3, Section through the apartment, and along entrance-passage looking west.
Fig. 4, Section through apartment looking south.
Fig. 5, View of Pyramid from Kerdassy, looking across the plain of sand.
Fig. 6, View taken from near south-western angle.
A valley to the northward extends to the Natron Lakes, and is the usual road of the western pilgrims from the Barbary coast.
Mummy-pits and tombs were found in this valley, but they did not contain any inscriptions; the inhabitants of the neighbouring
village, however, were said to have taken from them a variety of small articles, similar to those in the tombs at Gizeh, and mummy-cases
* The depth to the water was taken early in the morning; in the evening, after the well had been exhausted, the depth was 20 feet 8 inches.
f The level of the water in this shaft, and of that in the Well of Sweet Water, was not observed in October 1838.
LEVELS ON THE 7th OF JUNE, 1837.
From the brink of the Well of Sweet Water, to that of the well at the palm trees
From the brink of the well at the palm trees, to the top of the shaft north of the
Sphinx, No. 3 ............
From the top of the shaft north of the Sphinx, No. 3, to the top of the shaft west
of the Sphinx, No. 2 ...... . ....
From the top of the shaft west of the Sphinx, No. 2, to the south-eastern angle of
Campbell's Tomb............
From the south-eastern, to the south-western angle of Campbell's Tomb
From the south-western, to the north-western angle of CampbelFs Tomb
From the north-eastern angle of Campbell's Tomb, to the top of shaft, No. 1, between
Campbell's Tomb, and Second Pyramid, ascending.....
From the north-western, to north-eastern angle of Campbell's Tomb, descending
Feet.
Inches
0
8|
23
8*
8
KS.
13
10|
2
73
' 4
3
4.3
^4-
35
llf
88
10
2
7*
Total ascent from the brink of the Well of Sweet Water to the brink of the shaft
between Campbell's Tomb and the Second Pyramid, No. 1, ascending .
From the top of the shaft between Campbell's Tomb and the Second Pyramid, No. 1,
to the north-eastern angle of the Great Pyramid, ascending ....
Depth from the brink to the water in the Well of Sweet Water
It will therefore appear that the base of the Great Pyramid was higher than the
water in the well in that month* .........
Depth from the brink to the water in the Well of Sweet Water on the 7th of June, 1837,
In the well at palm trees, depth to the water on the 7th of June, 1837
In the shaft north of Sphinx, No. 3, depth to the water on the 7th of June, 1837
In the shaft west of Sphinx, No. 2 ........
In the shaft between Campbell's Tomb and the Second Pyramid, No. 1 .
Feet.
Inches
86
H
40
5
126
71
19
8
146
si
19
8
22
0
47
4
55
4
113
7
From the water in the well at the palm trees to the under side of the great stone
at the bridge in the southern mound ........
The water in the well at the palm trees was lower than that in the Well of Sweet
Water, when the water in the latter had not been used .....
And in the evening, when the water had been used ......
The water in the shaft to the north of the Sphinx, No. 3, was lower than that in
the well at the palm trees ..........
The water in the shaft west of the Sphinx, No. 2, was higher than that in the shaft
north of the Sphinx, No. 3 ......... .
The water in the shaft between Campbell's Tomb and the Second Pyramid, No. 1,
was lower than that in the shaft west of the Sphinx, No. 2
The water in the shaft, therefore, between Campbell's Tomb and the Second Pyramid,
No. 1, was lower than the water in the Well of Sweet Water
?eet.
Inches
5
31
04
1
71
I 4
0
7|
1
7*
0
>«
4 H|
7 84
Now the level of the low Nile, on the 7th of June, 1837, was 137 feet 3 inches below the base of the Great Pyramid;
it therefore appears that, as the water in the shaft, No. 1, was on the 7th of June, 1837, 154 feet below the base of the Great
Pyramid, it was 4 feet higher than the river; and that, as the water was found by observation to have gradually decreased
(it was supposed by evaporation) 1 foot 4 inches on the 23d of October, 1838, it was then 18 feet 1 inch lower than the river;
that the water in shaft, No. 2, was on the 7th of June, 1837, 149 feet J inch below the base of the Great Pyramid, and therefore
8 feet 11 \ inches higher than the Nile; that on the 23d of October, 1838, it had decreased 4 inches, and was therefore
12 feet 1-J inch below the river; that the water in shaft, No. 3, was in June 1837, 149 feet 6^ inches below the base of the
Pyramid, and therefore 8 feet 5f inches above the river; and that, having decreased 3 feet, it was on the 23d of October, 1838,
14 feet 3J inches lower than the river; that the water in the well near the palm trees was on the 7th of June, 1837,
147 feet lOf inches below the base of the Great Pyramid, and therefore 10 feet If inch higher than the river, and 10 feet
7f inches below the river on the 23d of October, 1838 ;f that in June 1837, the water in the Well of Sweet Water near
the tents was 146 feet 3\ inches below the base of the Great Pyramid, and therefore 11 feet 8J inches higher than the river,
and on the 23d of October, 1838, 9 feet \ inch below the river; that the average depth of the foss in Campbell's Tomb is
152 feet 9f inches below the base of the Great Pyramid, and was therefore 5 feet 2\ inches higher than the river in June
1837, and 15 feet 6f inches lower on the 23d of October, 1838; and it is to be observed that it was quite dry.
The Well of Sweet Water was constantly used for the supply of the labourers, and it was sometimes so much exhausted,
that water was procured from other places; yet it was soon replenished, and only lost in the course of the day 1 foot, which
was filled up during the night, when the water was 11 feet 8j inches higher than the river.
PYRAMID OF ABOU ROASH.
PLATE III.
This Pyramid is situated about five miles to the north-westward of those at Gizeh. The base (320 feet square) alone
remains. The defective places have been made good with masonry, but the bulk of it is formed of the mountain (composed of
a hard chalk), which has been reduced to a level around it. No part of the external casing is to be found; indeed the edifice
was not probably ever completed, or even raised to a considerable height, for scarcely any materials, and very little rubbish, are to
be seen, although the situation is difficult of access.
An inclined entrance-passage, and an apartment, lying east and west, have been constructed in an excavation, and have
been lined with fine calcareous stone from the Tourah Quarries.
The passage (about 160 feet in length) is in the centre of the northern front, and descends at an angle of 22° 35'. The
dimensions of the apartment are about 40 feet by 15, and above it smaller chambers appear to have been constructed, similar
to those over the King's Chamber in the Great Pyramid of Gizeh. Hieroglyphics have been inscribed with red ochre on some
of the blocks at the western end, but they cannot be distinctly made out.
Upon the adjacent ground are heaps of broken granite, which may possibly be the chippings of the blocks, originally intended
for an external casing, but afterwards broken up, and carried away for other purposes. The fragments crumble to pieces upon
being handled, and are much decomposed and covered with moss, either from great antiquity, or from an exposure, not only to
the corroding air of the desert, but also to the moist winds of the Delta.
Some other foundations are upon the same height, which has been already described to be composed of chalk, and which
appears to have been worked in very early times (as at present) for the sake of the flints imbedded in it. The levelled space
around the Pyramid is about 510 feet above the plain. The eastern and southern sides of the mountain are nearly perpendicular,
and beneath it to the southward are antient remains. The northern side has been sloped away, and an inclined causeway has
been constructed from the plain below (as is shewn in Fig. 1). It is 4950 feet in length, 30 feet in breadth, and in some
places nearly 40 feet high. About half of it is constructed with masonry.
Fig. 1 is a plan of the Pyramid and of the hills upon which it is placed.
Fig. 2, Plan of excavation, wherein the inclined entrance-passage and the apartment have been formed.
Fig. 3, Section through the apartment, and along entrance-passage looking west.
Fig. 4, Section through apartment looking south.
Fig. 5, View of Pyramid from Kerdassy, looking across the plain of sand.
Fig. 6, View taken from near south-western angle.
A valley to the northward extends to the Natron Lakes, and is the usual road of the western pilgrims from the Barbary coast.
Mummy-pits and tombs were found in this valley, but they did not contain any inscriptions; the inhabitants of the neighbouring
village, however, were said to have taken from them a variety of small articles, similar to those in the tombs at Gizeh, and mummy-cases
* The depth to the water was taken early in the morning; in the evening, after the well had been exhausted, the depth was 20 feet 8 inches.
f The level of the water in this shaft, and of that in the Well of Sweet Water, was not observed in October 1838.