The great pyramid passages and chambers

PLATE CXL.

(At the tents.) We arrived at our tents about 6 p.m., having completed the journey from Sakkara in quick time; our donkeys galloped most of the way.

519 During our absence, John and Grace, accompanied by Judah, visited the Sphinx, the Granite Temple near the Sphinx, and the Trial Passages which are cut in the rock about a hundred yards east of the Great Pyramid—Plate II. According to Professors Smyth and Petrie, the Granite Temple near the Sphinx has a direct connection with the temple of the Second Pyramid, both, apparently, being united by a long straight causeway.

920 John found the Trial Passages almost entirely filled with rubbish. They are, however, fully described by the principal writers on the pyramids—Plate CXXXVIII. Evidently these Trial Passages were intended to serve as models to the ancient workers at the Great Pyramid, just as modern shipbuilders and others work to carefully prepared patterns ; for, with the single exception of the position of the Well-shaft, these inclined passages are an exact model of the Great Pyramid’s passage-system, shortened in length, but of full size in width and height. The resemblance is striking, even to the beginning of the Horizontal Passage to the Isolated trees near the “ Well of sweet water” referred Queen’s Chamber, the Ramps at to by Col. Howard Vyse. the sides of the Grand Gallery, and the contraction at the lower end of the Ascending Passage to hold the Granite Plug (excepting that in the Trial Passages, this contraction occurs additionally in the height, as well as in the width of the Ascending Passage). Although the vertical shaft is in a different position in the Trial Passages, it is evidently intended as a model of the Well-shaft in the Great Pyramid, the bore of each being the same. The total lengths of the Descending and Ascending Passages are 66 feet and 50 feet respectively.

521 On our journey back to our tents, I photographed the isolated group of trees which stand near the “ well of sweet water” referred to by Col. Howard Vyse (Plate CXL), showing the Great Pyramid in the background—Compare Plate II. The Arabs have now turned the place into a burying-ground. I also took the opportunity to ascend the hill which lies about half a mile to the south (and slightly to the east) of the

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