Page images
PDF
EPUB
[graphic][merged small][merged small]

I. Ground plan of the Tomb of Seti I., B.C. 1366.
II. Section of the Tomb of Seti I.

(From Lepsius, Denkmäler, Abth. I., Bl. 96.)

the "Book of being in the under-world;" it is quite impossible to describe them here, for a large number of pages would be required for the purpose. It must be sufficient to draw attention to the excellence and beauty of the paintings and sculptures, and to point out that the whole series refers to the life of the king in the under-world. The tomb is entered by means of two flights of steps, at the bottom of which is a passage terminating in a small chamber. Beyond this are two halls having four and two pillars respectively, and to the left are the passages and small chambers which lead to the large six-pillared hall and vaulted chamber in which stood the sarcophagus of Seti I. Here also is an inclined plane which descends into the mountain for a considerable distance; from the level of the ground to the bottom of this incline the depth is about 150 feet; the length of the tomb is nearly 500 feet. The designs on the walls were first sketched in outline in red, and the alterations by the master designer or artist were made in black; it would seem that this tomb was never finished. The mutilations and destruction which have been committed here during the last twenty-five years are truly lamentable. The mummy of Seti I., found at Dêr el-Bahari, is preserved in the Gizeh Museum.

No. 11. Tomb of Rameses III., B.C. 1200, commonly called " "Bruce's Tomb," because it was discovered by this traveller, and the “Tomb of the Harper," on account of the scene in it in which men are represented playing harps. The architect did not leave sufficient space between this and a neighbouring tomb, and hence after excavating passages and chambers to a distance of more than 100 feet, he was obliged to turn to the right to avoid breaking into it. The flight of steps leading into the tomb is not as steep as that in No. 17, the paintings and sculptures are not so fine, and the general plan of ornamentation differs. The scenes on the walls of the first passage resemble those in the first

passage of No. 17, but in the other passages and chambers warlike, domestic, and agricultural scenes and objects are depicted. The body of the red granite sarcophagus of Rameses III. is in Paris, the cover is in the Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge, and the mummy of this king is at Gizeh. The length of the tomb is about 400 feet.

No. 2. The Tomb of Rameses IV., about B.C. 1166, though smaller than the others, is of considerable interest; the granite sarcophagus, of colossal proportions, still stands in situ at the bottom. Having seen the beautiful sculptures and paintings in the Tomb of Seti I., the visitor will probably not be disposed to spend much time in that of Rameses IV. "Memnon's

No. 9. The Tomb of Rameses VI., or Tomb," was considered of great interest by the Greeks and Romans who visited it in ancient days; the astronomical designs on some of the ceilings, and the regular sequence of its passages and rooms are interesting. The fragments of the granite sarcophagus of this king lie at the bottom of the tomb.

No. 6. The Tomb of Rameses IX., is remarkable for the variety of sculptures and paintings of a nature entirely different from those found in the other royal tombs; they appear to refer to the idea of resurrection after death and of immortality, which is here symbolized by the principle of generation.

The Tomb of Rameses I., father of Seti I., is the oldest in this valley; it was opened by Belzoni.

*

The Tomb of Rechmȧrā is situated in the hill behind the Ramesseum called Shêkh 'Abd el-Ķûrnah; it is one of the most interesting of all the private tombs found at Thebes. The scenes on the walls represent a procession of tribute bearers from Punt carrying apes, ivory, etc.,

* No. 35, according to Wilkinson, and No. 15, according to Champollion.

Q

and of people from parts of Syria and the shores of the Mediterranean bringing to him gifts consisting of the choicest products of their lands, which Rechmȧrā receives for Thothmes III. The countries can in many cases be identified by means of the articles depicted. The scenes in the inner chamber represent brickmaking, ropemaking, smiths' and masons' work, etc., etc., superintended by Rechmȧrā, prefect of Thebes; elsewhere are domestic scenes and a representation of Rechmȧra sailing in a boat, lists of offerings, etc.

The most ancient necropolis at Thebes is Drah abu'l Nekkah, where tombs of the XIth, XVIIth, and XVIIIth dynasties are to be found. The coffins of the Antef kings (XIth dynasty), now in the Louvre and the British Museum, were discovered here, and here was made the marvellous "find" of the jewellery of Ah-hetep, * wife of Kames, a king of the XVIIth dynasty, about B.C. 1750. A little more to the south is the necropolis of Assassif, where during the XIXth, XXIInd, and XXVIth dynasties many beautiful tombs were constructed. If the visitor has time, an attempt should be made to see the fine tomb of Peța-Amen-ȧpt.

ARMANT (ERMENT).

Armant, or Erment, 458 miles from Cairo, on the west bank of the river, was called in Egyptian Menth,

and

Annu qemāt," Heliopolis of the South";

it marks the site of the ancient Hermonthis, where, according to Strabo, "Apollo and Jupiter are both worshipped."

The ruins which remain there belong to the Iseion built during the reign of the last Cleopatra (B.C. 51-29). The stone-lined tank which lies near this building was probably used as a Nilometer.

* Now preserved at Gîzeh.

NORTH

Plan of the Temple of Esneh, with restorations by Grand Bey.

« PreviousContinue »