Wilkinson, John Gardner: Topographie of Thebes, and general view of Egypt: being a short account of the principal objects worthy of notice in the valley of the Nile, to the second cataracte and Wadi Samneh, with the Fyoom, Oases and eastern desert, from Sooez to Bertenice (London, 1835)

Chap. I.] TOMB OF OSYMANDYAS. 15

lateral chambers, indicating, by a small flight of
steps, the gradual ascent of the rock, on which
this edifice is constructed. Of nine, two only
of the central apartments now remain, each sup-
ported by four columns, and each measuring about
30 feet by 55 ; but the vestiges of their walls, and
appearance of the rock, which has been levelled
to form an area around the exterior of the build-
ing, point out their original extent. The sculp-
tures, much more interesting than the architectural
details, have suffered still more from the hand of the
destroyer; and of the many curious battle-scenes
which adorned its walls four only now remain.*

On the north face of the eastern pyramidal tower,
or propylon, is represented the capture of several
towns from an Asiatic enemy, whose chiefs are led
in bonds by the victorious Egyptians towards the
camp of their army. Several of these towns are
introduced into the picture, each bearing its name
in hieroglyphic characters, which state them to have
been taken in the fourth year of King Remeses II.
This important fact satisfactorily confirms what I
have stated in a former work,f that the early part
of the reigns of their most illustrious monarchs was

* The traces of another may be perceived behind the granite
Colossus and on the north face of this wall. On the correspond-
ing wall similar sculptures most probably existed, others on the
exterior of the areas, and, perhaps, even on the body of the
temple itself.

t Materia Hieroglyphica, part ii. p. 92.