The ruins at Biahmu, of which [Plate XXII.] shows the present condition, are not in the line of the main bank from Edwah to Kalabiîn, but about 300 metres to the north of it. It is probable, therefore, that they were placed at the end of a projecting bank, in connection with the main bank, alongside which boats could lie. The two colossal figures ([Plate XXIV.]) mounted on their pedestals would have formed splendid landmarks for ships crossing from the north shore of the lake.
Plate XXII.
BIAHMU RUINS.
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Thus we have a vast lake of about 1600 million square metres of water surface, and an area of 27,000 feddans (acres) reclaimed from it, with Crocodilopolis in the reclaimed area, and the Hawârah pyramid and the Labyrinth on the shores of the lake at the point where the waters entering the lake were controlled. ([Plates XX.] and [XXI.]) This, I believe, was the Lake Mœris of Herodotus and of those who confirmed his testimony, and Mr. Petrie, as I have shown before, holds the same general views.
But his theory, that the two pyramids, which Herodotus stated stood about the middle of the lake, were identical with the two colossi of Biahmu, of which the present ruins are all that is left, does not appear to me a satisfactory explanation of the account of them given by Herodotus, though to what Herodotus said he was told I think no importance need be attached, as statements in a foreign language are apt to be misunderstood or misinterpreted. Arab traditions also may be curious and interesting, but they are of little value as a record of the past.
It will be worth while to calculate the inflow and outflow of the lake in the condition, in which I have supposed it to be, as Lake Mœris, and to see if the existing features of the Nile Valley throw any light on the statements of the first historical witnesses to its existence.
In my former calculations of the volumes of water required to fill the Fayûm depression to higher levels, I have taken the area of the depression at 2000 million square metres. But our mean water level is now R.L. 21·00, and the area of the lake will be reduced.
| The present taxed area in the Fayûm isnearly | 234,000 | feddans.[8] | ||
| The actual cultivated area is moreprobably about | 280,000 | „ | ||
| The area of the Birket-el-Qurûn is about | 70,000 | „ | ||
| Total | 350,000 | „ | ||
| 350,000 feddans | = | 1,470,000,000 | square metres. | |
| Add the uncultivated area below R.L. 21·00 | = | 300,000,000 | ||
| Total | 1,770,000,000 | |||
| Deduct areas reclaimed from Lake Mœris:— | ||||
| 1st reclamation | 40,000,000 | |||
| 2nd „ | 24,000,000 | |||
| 3rd „ | 40,000,000 | |||
| 104,000,000 | ||||
| Remaining for area of LakeMœris | 1,666,000,000 | |||
| or, say, 1600 million squaremetres. | ||||