Historical publicationV82

Vyse II · p. 82

The granite-lined burial chamber

Scan · Vyse II · p. 82
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                                                                              J
82            OPERATIONS CARRIED ON AT GIZEH .
                                                                              •



manner as those in the tombs at Thebes .                It contained a
quantity     of rubbish , and also of black dust , ' apparently
the exuviæ of insects and of bats , likewise several large
stones , which had the same appearance    of having been
rubbed and worn , as those already described . When this
passage was cleared out , it was found to have been built
up with ramps , and with blocks laid upon them after the
sarcophagus had been placed in the tomb , and to have
been closed at the lower end with a portcullis of granite
( Plate III . , Fig. 2 , m ) The passage entered the eastern side
of a sepulchral chamber , which extended north and south ,
and was entirely composed             of granite .     I have already
said that the blocks , which composed the roof, met in
a ridge in the middle , and were cut into the shape of
a pointed arch .  The floor had been formed of large
masses well put together , several of which had been
taken up , and were lying in the apartment .                The linings
of the walls had also been searched ; they consisted
of slabs , two feet six inches thick , and were in many
places    stained by secretions from the rock , and by a
quantity     of white fungus .         Two cramps were found in
the western wall ( see Plate III . , Fig . 6 , 7 , 8 , 9) . The
stones A B C were kept in their places by the dovetail
cramp  G, and the wedge - formed piece D , resting against
the side of the excavated rock behind , served to keep the
whole together .         No sculpture , or inscription of any kind ,



      A good deal of this deposition was also found    in the large apart-
ment ; and the dung of large birds , probably     of vultures , appeared in
many places , particularly   on the sarcophagus , and seemed to have been
there for many years .

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