The great pyramid passages and chambers

PLATE XXXII.

230 This third photograph (Plate XXX) shows the ruinous and dilapidated condition to which this great monument has been reduced by the ruthless hands of the spoiler. According to historical evidence, beautiful smooth limestone blocks, similar to those at the north base, encased the entire Pyramid up till 820 a.D., when Caliph Al Mamoun, in his greed to gain possession of supposed hidden treasure, forced his way into the Pyramids interior. This was the beginning of the destructive work; and in the years that followed, the Pyramid’s casing was torn off piecemeal for building purposes—See Pars. 95-99.

231 The existence of the forced passage, which extends inward in a horizontal direction till it meets the junction of the Descending and Ascending Passages, proves that the position of the mouth of the regular Entrance Passage, though evidently well-known in earlier times, was unknown to Al Mamoun. Professor Petrie claims that, originally, the Entrance mouth must have been closed by a stone door, swinging horizontally on side pivots, and having its outer surface flush with the general angle of the casing. He instances the Entrance Passage of the South Pyramid of Dashur, which bears evidence of having been closed in this manner. A door such as this would possess no external marks by which its situation could be identified ; and knowledge of its existence having been lost, Al Mamoun was compelled to force an entrance for himself. That the Great Pyramid was closed by a pivoted stone door, is borne out by the writings of the ancient geographer Strabo (1st century B.c.). Referring to the Pyramids of Gizeh, he wrote: “ The Greater [Pyramid], a little way up one side, has a stone that may be taken out, which being raised up, there is a sloping passage to the foundations "—Plate IX.

232 About eight o'clock to-night I went round in company with Hadji Ali Gabri, and had a look at the Sphinx by moonlight. You have so often seen photographs of this half-man half-animal, that I do not need to describe it to you. In many of these photographs, the Great Pyramid is shown in the background in such a manner that one who has not visited the locality might get the impression that the Sphinx is almost as large as the Great Pyramid —Plate XXXII. This is far from being the case. Nevertheless, though very small when compared with the Pyramid, it is in itself so huge, weird, and uncanny, that one cannot be surprised that so many have wondered why it was made, and have spoken of the riddle of the Sphinx, No wonder so many have exclaimed “ Ah! If only these

lips could speak, what could The Sphinx, and the Great Pyramid of Gizeh. they not tell us of an age long gone-by!”’ But these lips have no riddle to divulge, for the simple reason that the

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