DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.12609#0257
232
AETS AND ANTIQUITIES.
production of Hebrew labour. Solomon, in compelling
his tributaries to perform the more laborious operations
of building, seems but to have imitated the ancient
monarchs of Egypt.*
After the introduction of the arch, roofs1 and ceil-
ings appear to have, been often supported on brick
vaulting.f In an excavated grotto near the second
pyramid the ceiling is carved to represent trunks of
the palm, laid close together, stretching from wall to
wall: the palm was probably commonly used for such
purposes as it still is in Egypt.
Doors turned on bronze pins, inserted into the
threshold and lintel. In the two great pyramids the
approach to the sepulchral chamber was closed by
granite portcullises which moved in grooves. Doors
appear to have been secured by wooden bolts or rude
wooden locks, perhaps resembling those still used in
Egypt. In these several pins or wires at the end of the
key fit into corresponding holes in the lock, and push
up as many pins within it, which, when the key is
withdrawn, again fall and secure the lock.
Cones of baked clay with a stamped inscription
in relief on their base are found in the tombs.
These perhaps were used to stamp clay seals, with
which the doors were probably secured. When
Rhampsinitus entered his treasury and found his
* Herodotus particularly mentions this with regard to Sesostris.
f Vaulted granaries are represented at the Beni Hassan grottoes,
and a series of brick-vaulted chambers exist at Thebes.
AETS AND ANTIQUITIES.
production of Hebrew labour. Solomon, in compelling
his tributaries to perform the more laborious operations
of building, seems but to have imitated the ancient
monarchs of Egypt.*
After the introduction of the arch, roofs1 and ceil-
ings appear to have, been often supported on brick
vaulting.f In an excavated grotto near the second
pyramid the ceiling is carved to represent trunks of
the palm, laid close together, stretching from wall to
wall: the palm was probably commonly used for such
purposes as it still is in Egypt.
Doors turned on bronze pins, inserted into the
threshold and lintel. In the two great pyramids the
approach to the sepulchral chamber was closed by
granite portcullises which moved in grooves. Doors
appear to have been secured by wooden bolts or rude
wooden locks, perhaps resembling those still used in
Egypt. In these several pins or wires at the end of the
key fit into corresponding holes in the lock, and push
up as many pins within it, which, when the key is
withdrawn, again fall and secure the lock.
Cones of baked clay with a stamped inscription
in relief on their base are found in the tombs.
These perhaps were used to stamp clay seals, with
which the doors were probably secured. When
Rhampsinitus entered his treasury and found his
* Herodotus particularly mentions this with regard to Sesostris.
f Vaulted granaries are represented at the Beni Hassan grottoes,
and a series of brick-vaulted chambers exist at Thebes.