London. Published by Longman, Rees & Co. April 6th. 1835.
The pyramids are on the western side of the mountain. The first group, of two, is 700 feet north-west of the Typhonium, the temple I described as excavated in the rock. (See the [General Plan] and [vignette.][27]) The first, A, is 30 feet square; 40 feet to the west of this, is the other, B, which is only 23 feet square. The pyramid C, in the plan, is 235 feet distant from the latter, and measures 30 feet by 26: twenty feet farther to the west is pyramid D, which is 27 feet square. The one marked E, in the plan above, adjoining the latter, is 36 feet square; and F, partly behind this, is of the same size. Sixteen feet to the north of F, and north-west of the pyramids C, D, E, is the largest one at Gibel el Birkel, which is 88 feet square: the angle of this is more obtuse than that of any of the other pyramids at Gibel el Birkel. The ruined state of this large pyramid, and also of the others already described, will be seen in the distance in [Plate XXVII.] One hundred and forty-five feet to the north of this large pyramid is a small one, H, which is only 25 feet square. The angle of this is much more acute, the height being considerably more than the diameter at the base. It is scarcely at all injured: the apex of the pyramids at this place, like those in the Isle of Meroe, was never pointed. A flat space was always left at the top for a statue, perhaps, or some other ornament. One hundred and twenty-four feet to the west of the latter is another, I, 23 feet square. This is very much ruined, particularly on one side, but there are the remains of a portico before the south-east side. The other eight pyramids, of which I have given the dimensions, were without this ornament: at all events, there are no traces now remaining, that induced me to suppose that any of them had porches in front. The present state of the pyramids above described may be observed in the distance of [Plate XXVII.][28]
PLAN OF THE PYRAMIDS OF GIBEL EL BIRKEL.
About 600 feet to the north-west is a fine group of eight other pyramids, situated on an eminence, which adds greatly to their effect, and gives them, at a distance, a still more imposing appearance. They extend for 550 feet from east to west; five of them have porticoes, or porches, the direction of which is about south-east, but rarely exactly the same. (See [Plan.]) [Plate XXVI.] is a general view of these pyramids, and the [vignette] represents one in detail. These being accurate camera-lucida drawings, and every stone correct, the reader will be able to judge of the neat construction of some of these edifices, the regularity in the size of the stones (see [Plate XXVI.]), and the manner in which they are joined together, without cement. [Plate XXVII.] is a view of a group of these pyramids, which also shows their construction; and in the distance is seen the mountain and the other group of pyramids.
Pl. 25.
| On stone by W. P. Sherlock from a Drawing by G. A. Hoskins Esqr. | Printed by C. Hullmandel. |
GREAT TEMPLE, GIBEL EL BIRKEL.
Published by Longman, Rees & Co. April 6th. 1835.