GHIZEH – TOMB NO 1
LOCATION

The Mastaba Mount Excavations extend southwards from a point about 200 metres S. of the large cliff quarries just to the south of the Sphinx. For 600 metres the concession follows southwards the low broken ridge which borders the Libyan desert plateau, then, extending westwards for some 750 metres, terminates at a promontory which rises 1,400 metres due S. of the Great Pyramid. Just 35o metres to the north, and intersecting this Pyramid line, are the Ancient Causeway ruins, shown in Perring’s Plates.

View North from Covington's Tomb

The above promontory is surmounted by this tomb no. 1 – an immense sub-brick structure (61 m. 27 cent. X 34 m. 53 cent.) of the 1^st Dynasty. In this great Memphian necropolis such a fine site would naturally be selected by the builders of such a monument.

Just 11 metres to the east are the picturesque ruins of a large bluish-grey stone mastaba (about 28 metres x 12 metres) excavated by Mariette.

This great structure was by far the most important of the 39 tombs. I discovered and cleared. It resembles as to exterior decoration the Royal tomb of Negadah discovered by M. J. de Morgan in 1897. These 39 tombs include : 15 various rock-cut burial shafts; 8 cave tombs (rock cut chambers with door entrances as distinct from shaft); 13 serdabs; 5 mastabas, and part of what seemed to be the outer court of a temple.

The entire concession seems to have been fully worked, many of the best savants having tested it. Mariette himself once referred to it as a hopeless field. From an Egyptological point of view, however, some of the tombs were interesting, and many of the objects and fragments we secured were of historical value. They represented the I, III, IV, V, VI and XXVI Dynasties.

DISCOVERY

View South from Covington's Tomb

Most of the eastward facing slopes of the hills in this district contain tombs which had been easily cut from the soft, sandy, fossiliferous limestone, and it was while following what I believed to be a serdab wall in the eastern face of the prominent hill which composed and yet concealed this great mastaba, that I discovered it. I first noticed a thin white broken streak of white casing mingled with the sand. This was peculiar, for the sand covering the hill and district was free from such discoloration but thickly strewn with fragments of brownish coloured boulders and pebbles. By merely brushing aside but 0 m. 02 cent. or 0 m. 03 cent. of sand, the dark coloured tomb brickwork was exposed. This we followed for over 61 metres on the E. side, and 34 m. 50 cent on the N.; thus revealing tomb outlines, which encompassed the entire hill. It was because the surface of the hill under which the great tomb reposed exactly resembled the pebbled dessert above which it rises that no one suspected its presence. The small bowl-shaped depression near the northern end, and the long sloping depression extending 17 metres to the south protective wall, though the results of former excavations, appeared but natural, and therefore attracted no attention. The hill, including the N. depression, is shown in the 1903 issue of Baedeker. It is remarkable that this large building, so conspicuously situated, should have remained so long undiscovered. It is said that Mariette Pasha sketched the large adjoining mastaba from the top of this one, never suspecting that just a centimetre or two beneath his feet there reposed this interesting structure.

EXCAVATIONAL PROCESS

In early June 1902 with a force of 35 men and boys from the pyramid villages, and with Ibrahim Faid as Government reis, we cleared the upper part of the eastern, northern and small part of the western inner or main wall (as distinct from the outer or protective wall). We also cleared, but without result, the N. depression referred to, and the long deep 17 metres trench, terminating at the Roman tombs near the SE corner. The depression and the trench were very old excavations.

I then abandoned the tomb to excavate some smaller ones. This I did reluctantly, for recognizing the importance of the structure I desired to at once secure the details. However, 7 months later, in January the following year (1903) we resumed work there under much better, though far from perfect, conditions; instead of pyramid people we were able to secure, thanks to Prof. Maspero and Mr. Quibell, a staff of 30 experienced men from up the Nile who had been well trained by Messrs. Petrie, Reisner, Garstang and other. Above all we had the benefit of the invaluable services of Mr. JE Quibell.

We began by trenching towards the W. protective wall, about 20 metres of which we cleared from the NW corner. Then cleared much of the surface of the main brickwork, exposing the Roman tombs built into the structure at the NE and SE corners, and the large step-shaped depressions (probably also used as Roman tombs) above the NW corner. We then discovered and cleared the small 4-steps stairway leading into the N end of the great stairway passage. After which we cleared central portions of the outer faces of the N, S and E protective walls; thus securing the full dimensions of the tomb. A tremendous amount of heavy debris consisting of large stones, boulders, and caked sand in strata, filled the wide, deep stairway leading S into the main shaft. To avoid removing this we trenched through the brickwork on the E side 16 metres from the N and fortunately struck a crude rock stairway (no part of the original structure) which led down to the very top of the main shaft. We then cleared the 11 metres shaft, exposing at its base on the S side an immense oval limestone portcullis. Tunnelling around it we discovered and cleared a short passage leading into a large chamber, and several clay-cut galleries and tombs. Discovering an inner shaft sunk over 10 metres into the floor of the west chamber, we cleared it, exposing at its base a large flat square-cut portcullis which stood in its original position before the Sepulchral chamber. Passing over the stone without disturbing it we entered and partly cleared the chamber; thus completing the excavation.  

MAIN STRUCTURE

Like all mastabas it is rectangular in shape, but the sides instead of sloping, are vertical; a distinguishing feature in this and other similar structures of the early archaic period.

The main structure orientated 9˚E of true N measures 54 m 97 cent from N to S, and 27 m and 99 cent from E to W, but including the enclosing or protective walls, which are of course, a part of the monument, the dimensions are 61 m 72 cent N to S and 34 m 53 cent E to W (about 202 x 113 ft). It is therefore 7 metres larger each way than its sister tomb at Negadah; the burial place, according to Prof Petrie, of Neithotep, Mena’s Queen.

From the north wall the tomb hill slopes rather abruptly for a few metres, then moderately for some 35 or 40 to the NE to a large sand plain almost entirely enclosed by low ridges.

From the south wall the incline for about 15 metres is greater than that at the N, for which reason, presumably, the S protective wall is much heavier than the others. From the foot of this heavy incline, a moderate slope extends SE to a ravine some 90 metres below.

From the east wall the short incline of a few metres terminates close to the interesting ruins of a large mastaba built of immense blocks of oyster-filled limestone, and previously referred to as having been excavated by Mariette Pasha.

The west wall: -While the ground level at the E of the tomb is just a little above the base of the protective wall there, the ground level at the west wall, and far beyond it, is almost even with the top of the protective wall, especially at the NW corner.

At and near the SW corner, however, there is a considerable slope. Now if the entire tomb, including, of course its protective walls, originally stood above the surrounding district, which is evident, then this great sweep of boulder covered desert, extending far west from the top of the west protective wall, must have formed there since the monument was founded – say 7,000 years ago (see E to W perspective sketch of tomb).

The entire hill was simply a huge mass of sun-dried brickwork. It rises in a somewhat regular slope on the N, E and W sides – particularly the W – while on the S side a rough 17 metres trench, about 4 metres wide and 6 deep at the northern or deeper end, had been cut right through the mass and deep into the red sand beneath it. It extended about 6 m 50 cent from, and parallel with, the E wall, terminating at the small Roman tombs at the SE corner.

On the N.E. slope was another ancient excavation, a circular depression some 2m 26 cent deep, presumably made while searching for the shaft. Ancient because both the trench and depression were covered by the same peculiar firm sand formation, and strewn with the same kind of boulders and fragments of boulders, which entirely covered the hill and district, and which, consequently, had formed since the excavations were made. This deposit lightly, though effectually, concealed the entire tomb.

On the N. slope, near the N.E. corner of the tomb, were many large blueish-grey stones. These had formed no part of the structure, and had evidently come from some remote district. Many tons of them had been jammed into, and formed part of, the heavy debris in the great stairway and shaft. They  were  roughly quarried and none of them had been worked.

Now structural evidence justifies us in believing that the sloping faced protective walls, though at present covered, were intended to be permanently exposed; thus giving the delicate structure an air of stability, and greatly preserving it. They are compactly built; the bricks in the exposed parts being large and well plastered. They measure some 0m x 24 c x 0m 12 c x 0m 08 1/2 cent. The white cement covering these protective walls is noticeably heavier than that on the finely grooved inner tomb walls, though apparently of the same grade. This fact also warrants us in believing that for many centuries this grand old structure stood out clearly and boldly above the surrounding district.

BRICKWORK

as though they had always commanded admiration and respect. This is remarkable, considering to what a great extent such structures are subject to damage. The excessive scaling of the white casing as the higher and exposed parts was due to natural causes.

The best preserved part is on the E side from 20 to 30 metres from the NE corner, where the walls at places are 2 m 70 cent high –their greatest and perhaps their original height. But even here there is nothing to indicate the original height or shape of the structure – nothing to assist us in defining its first form. It is certain however, that the brickwork at the centre of the tomb was originally, and is now, much higher than at the recessed walls. At present, in its reduced state, it is nearly 4 metres higher, the greatest height being just S of the main shaft, where it measures nearly 7 metres, and had apparently been much higher. Then again the bricks at the top of the small 4-steps stairway leading into the stairway passage were intact and firm, having been preserved by the heavy debris which filled and covered the stairway. If then, the tomb brickwork is of its original height at this point (3m 39 cent from the N wall) in what manner did it slope up to the centre of the tomb, where the brickwork is at present some 3 metres higher, and may have been much more? There is nothing whatever to indicate the original height of the tomb.

Durability is of course a conspicuous feature in Egyptian tomb work. Now a vertical face in brickwork is not, naturally, so lasting as one of moderate slope; hence it seems reasonable to suppose that the brickwork, which even now in its denuded condition rises about 4 m 30 cent, above the top of the white vertical walls, and 7 metres above their base, was fashioned into, say, 2 sloping faced terraces or steps some 2 metres in depth, similar in shape to other step structures, and sloped at the same angle (75˚) as the outer or protective wall, thus harmonizing with them, and forming a complete well balanced structure somewhat of a step-pyramid type. For when the entire tomb, including of course its protective walls, stood out clearly as it did for many centuries, any perceptible differences in its facing angles would have marred its general appearance. This 75˚ is also the face angle of the 7 successively built mastabas which compose the core of Sneferu’s pyramid at Medum. Of course the present open stairway and shaft would not be consistent with a step structure, but then they may have been in some manner covered or protected.

If we do not accept this theory but contend that this tomb, like that at Negadah, was fully flat topped, we must then admit that the finely grooved walls rose vertically for at least 7 metres – the present height of the tomb, and without allowing for any reduction in the tomb brickwork; but it does not seem likely that a perpendicular sunbrick wall, so delicately designed, would be raised to such a height. Besides, if the protective walls, which is but 3m 05 cent, wide at the base, rose as its present face angle of 75˚ to a height of 7 metres in order to harmonize with and fully cover the main walls, its top would be almost pointed and the wall thereby rendered too insecure to serve its apparent purpose. The flat-topped Negadah tomb in its reduced state was but 3 metres high. Its 26 chambers had been fashioned into the surface of the brickwork and covered by beams – there being no subterranean parts.

The bricks throughout varied but little in size, averaging 0m 24 cent x 0m 12 cent x 0m 08 1/2 cent. Those lining the walls, however, which carried the white casing, measured but 0m 15 cent x 0m 07 cent x 0m 06 1/2 cent. They are all sundried, of a dark grey shade, compactly made, and almost as heavy as stone.

For a space of some 2 1/2 square metres over the W side of the shaft, the usual brick coloured mortar had been discarded for that of a light yellow shade – heavier and finer. This light mortar was also found in the S wall of the SW open tomb chamber, which contained a single entire brick of the same material. So far as is known, this yellow plaster was confined to these two parts of the tomb.

A great quantity of bricks which had been thrown upon and outside the south and west protective walls had come from the excavated trenches, and had been taken out during the formation of the Roman tombs. Although they differed but little in size, it was easy to locate their dimensions the places from which they had been taken.

Sand drifts, and the tomb gradually became covered by it; but the formation of the layer of evenly interspersed split boulders and pebbles, which completely covered, though scarcely concealed, the high tomb brickwork, just as it does the district above which the tomb so prominently rises, appears difficult to explain.

MAIN WALL

Aerial denudation and rain have so rounded off this great mass of brickwork that the walls at the corners are very low at the NW – corner, hardly a half metre in height, but they gradually rise to perhaps nearly their original height at the centre. Fortunately, a few of the E wall recesses show a height of 2 m 70 cent – probably their original height – the brickwork sloping up to a further height of over 4 metres towards the centre of the tomb.

The recesses and abutements, regularly constructed, averaged in width 1 m 75 cent and 2m 01 cent respectively. A delicate type of structural beauty is shown in the long narrow (0m 07 1/2 cent) grooves which vertically line their faces, and which are strangely in contrast with the massiveness of the monument.

The walls are covered by a full half centimetre coating of crumbling but once firm white plaster. The upper parts, softened and swollen  by rainwash and moisture, have flaked and fallen away; losing to some extent their first outlines. Their original delicacy of design, however is not lost. The small bricks (0m 07c x 0m 06 1/2c) carrying this white casing were specially adapted to the design. A brick mastaba, discovered by M Mariette at Sakkarah, contained a serdab, the west wall of which was of the same pattern as this. He states it was the most ancient tomb found at Sakkarah, and that there was no reason to believe that it is not of the 1^st Dynasty.

TOMB NO. 1

Its orientation differed from this by one degree; it being 10˚, instead of 9˚, E of true N. The main walls of M de Morgan’s Royal tomb of Negadah were also exactly of this design, but instead of white casing they were covered by a brick coloured plaster, while M Amelineau found at Abydos an early Ancient empire mastaba whose exterior walls were also like these. But except that they were built in sun-dried bricks, the early dynasty structures discovered and cleared by Prof Petrie at Abydos, did not in any respect resemble this tomb no 1 at Ghizeh, although much of the pottery was similar.

The recesses in the N and S walls were without lintels, but of the 14 recesses in the E wall, five are known to have contained them, and it is likely that there were a few more.

Commencing at the N, we found them as follows:

1^st and 2^nd recesses. Brickwork reduced to below lintel height or line (2m 35 cent).

3^rd. The brickwork at the back of recess shows unmistakable imprint of lintel, and on either side a much damaged socket which was some 0m 17 cent in diameter and extended for 0m 35 cent into the sides of the recess.

4^th and 5^th not excavated.

6^th Distinct lintel outlines at back of recess, and clearly defined sockets at sides.

7^th not excavated.

8^th badly broken at lintel line.

9^th back of recess at lintel line much damaged, but on either side was a distinct round socket – a full contour of the lintel it once held. That on the S extended for 0m 70 cent into the brickwork, and contained a few lintel fragments.

10^th and 11^th – each contained the crumbling remains of a complete round wood lintel, one 0m 14 cent and the other 0m 17 cent in diameter. They extended across the recessed 2m 35 cent above the floor and 0m 21 cent below the top; slightly sinking into the brickwork at the back of the recesses. The wood, which had broken into small, split squares, was of a silky, dark brown shade, and nothing but a very great age could have reduced it to its present condition.

12^th and 13^th have never contained lintels.

14^th brickwork reduced to below lintel height.

According to the present height of the protective walls (2m 45 cent) about half of the lintel would show above them.

Of the west main wall we excavated but one of the eight or nine recesses which had not been reduced to below the lintel line. This single recess, the 7^th from the N contained two small flat lintels with rounded faces, which were better preserved than those in the E wall. They set up close to the top of the two narrow grooves at the right and left of the inner part of the recess, and are but 0m 07 1/2 cent thick. They of course face W and are above, and directly opposite, the interior shaft.

On either side of two well preserved recesses near the centre of the E wall are two small irregularly step-shaped ledges about 0m 23 cent square. They had been carefully cut into the brickwork; which though much worn, was not broken. The white casing on these ledges was thinner than that on the walls, and was tinged a dark red. They do not seem to be part of the original design of the tomb.

The N wall for some 8 metres and the E wall for some 22 metres from the NE corner are irregularly tinted pink with splotches of red, but without traces of either characters or ornamentation. The S and W walls are free from this discolouration, which was doubtless done long after the construction.

Near the bottom of a N wall recess near the NE corner was a 0m 90 cent square forced hole. It compared in manner of cutting with that in the E wall of the corridor below and was probably done by the same people. In both cases the walls about them were free from mutilation, as though the party desired to make the tests with as little damage as possible.

PROTECTIVE WALLS

Owing to aerial and other destruction the upper corners and outer edges were much reduced. Fortunately the E. wall was in fairly good condition, thus enabling us to secure the full details. Several of its 14 inner abutments were of their original height (2 m. 45 cent.), and the walls at the base line, which were exposed at several places, showed white cement right down to the red sand bed upon which they rested. With the base width then (3 m. 0.5 cent.), and the height (2 m. 70 cent.) we only required the face angle, which was 75˚.

The S. protective wall, however, although of the same height (2 m. 70 cent.), was nearly 3 metres across the top, and its outer face is almost vertical. This greater width is likely due to the heavy incline of the hill on that (the S.) side.

The inner faces of these enclosing walls vertically rise within 0 m. 25 cent. of the main wall, thus forming a deep narrow passage right round the tomb; at the recesses, however, the distance between the two walls is 1 m. 27 cent. It is remarkable that comparatively no heavy debris had been thrown into the dividing space between these walls, sand only having been found there. I consider this further evidence that previous visitors had desired to see the fragile white tomb walls remain unmutilated.

Abutments 1 m. 30 cent. in width regularly line the inner side of this heavy surrounding wall, extending for 0 m. 60 cent. into the recesses  which they directly face, and greatly preserve.

The cement on the sloping exterior faces was apparently the same as that on the tomb itself, but much heavier; the inner face and abutments, however, were clean and unplastered. The bricks facing them were in even courses, and owing to their sheltered position, had received less damage than those at any other part of the tomb. But near the centre of the E. wall a great gap had been cut right through it, exposing the white plastered face of the tomb behind, which had not received the least injury.

The heavy, compactly made bricks, measure in the upper and lower courses 0 m. 24 cent. X 0 m. 12 cent. X 0 m. 08 1/2 cent. while at and near the centre they average 0 m. 20 cent. X 0 m. 10 cent. X 0 m. 07 cent. Where intact they appear as solid as when first placed, but where disturbed they have swollen somewhat out of shape. An immense quantity of brick refuse had been thrown upon and outside the S. and W. walls; the N. and E. being comparatively free from it.

I should perhaps note a peculiar arrangement above the base of the protective wall at the W. N. W. corner of the tomb, of 25 hard wood pegs; apparently of the same kind of wood as that in the lintels. They average some 0 m. 20 cent. in length and 0 m. 01 1/2 cent. in thickness, and are so deeply driven that but 0 m. 02 cent. or 0 m. 03 cent protrude. When withdrawn, particles of white cement casing adhered to them as though they had been driven into new moist cement. Commencing at 2 m. 65 cent. from the N.W. corner of the protective wall, they form a broken line some 5 m. 20 cent. long, and about 0 m. 30 cent. above the base. The first or most northern peg is therefore driven at a point nearly opposite the inner face of the N. protective wall. The first 8 pegs are grouped in couples, and although almost horizontal, are placed at irregular distances. The next 8 form an irregular line, but are placed more regularly. The remaining 9 take a decided zigzag course.

Now these pegs seem to have been placed with studied care, and perhaps for some important reason. They seem mysteriously to signify something, yet I cannot in any way associate them with either the exterior of the monument, or the tombs below.

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