Proctor, Richard A.: The Great Pyramid: observatory, tomb, and temple (New York, 1883)

THE PROBLEM OP THE PYRAMIDS. 137

centre of the square top of the, as yet, incomplete
pyramid, so that the middle point of each side would
mark a cardinal point, while the angles of the square
would mark the mid-cardinal points. Also this
central point ought not only to command direction-
lines to the angles and bisections of the sides, but
to be commanded, without obstruction, by direction-
lines from these points.

Thus the upper end of the Great Ascending
Gallery should not be exactly at the centre, but
somewhat either to the west or to the east of the
centre of the great square summit of the incomplete
pyramid.

Let us see how this matter was actually
arranged :—:

Fig. 9 shows the incomplete pyramid, as sup-
posed to be viewed from above. The four sockets,
s.w., n.w., n.e., and s.e., were supposed, until quite
recently, to mark the exact position of the four base
angles of the pyramid. It turns out, however, that
they are rather below the level of the real basal
plane of the structure, which is, therefore, somewhat
smaller than had been supposed.

Fig. 9 is, however, chiefly intended to show the
nature of the square platform, which formed the top
of the pyramidal frustum when the level of the floor
of the gallery of the King's Chamber had just been