PART TWO

SURFACE (ROMAN) TOMBS AND FINDS

S.E. CORNER GROUPS

Besides the 17 metres trench and the northern depression referred to, several other excavations had been made in the top of the tomb brickwork. This trench terminated close to 4 open Roman tomb chambers at the S.S.E. corner of the tomb, which had been cut from, and built upon, both the main brickwork and the S. protective wall; a considerable part (5 m. 40 cent.) of the fine white wall having been cut right through and destroyed.

These chambers were found filled with a great mass of broken bricks and rain-washed brickwork, and all were concealed by the same light layer of boulder covered desert sand which so effectually disguised the entire tomb. They are of irregular shape, but smoothly plastered with the same coloured plaster as the brickwork itself, and were in fairly good condition. They measured respectively 2 m. 68 cent. X 2 m. 55 cent. , 2 m. 42 cent. X 1 m. 64 cent. , 2 m. 10 cent. X 1 m. 61 cent. , and 2 m. 25 cent. X – metres, and were connected by a narrow open passage. They sloped from a depth of 1 m. 45 cent. at the N. to 0 m. 30 cent. at the south, but their original depth could not be secured.

In the N. wall of one chamber, and the W. wall of another, were 2 neatly shaped shelves, 0 m. 85 cent. and 0 m. 55 cent. in width, which were set some distance above the floor. Their use is not known, but perhaps they held Roman pottery – a great quantity of which was found in the debris at this point. According to this debris the tombs had been formed before the excavation of the trench.

Built into the S. wall of the corner chamber of this S.E. group of Roman tombs were two limestones; each measuring 0 m. 60 cent. X 0 m. 18 cent. X 0 m. 18 cent. They were placed one above the other, and just above the floor; their white dressed faces showing through the dark brickwork. They were not part of the structure.

N.E. CORNER GROUP

At the N.E. corner of the mastaba are 6 more of these chambers. Varying in shape, their smoothly plastered walls, like those of the S.E. corner group, are of the same colour as the brickwork from which they were fashioned. Also like the S.E. tombs, they are connected by narrow doorways which were cut through the 0 m. 35 cent. thick walls which divide the chambers. They measure roughly: some 2 m. 75 cent. X 2 m. 70 cent. , 3 m. 30 cent. X 1 m. 75 cent. , 2 m. 70 cent. X --- metres, 2 m. 25 cent. X 2 metres, 1 m. 90 cent. X 1 m. 40 cent. , and 1 m. 05 cent. X 0 m. 90 cent. , and were partly cut from, and built upon, the structure. This is shown by the fact that bricks used in their construction differ in size from those used at this point. Besides, various sized hard bluish stones which had formed no part of the structure, had been built into the walls separating the chambers; their unplastered faces showing through them.

In the face of a narrow shoulder in the W. wall of the central chamber, and 0 m. 58 cent. above the floor, was a neat smoothly finished hole or pocket 0m. 11 cent. square and 0 m. 12 cent deep. Its use was not apparent.

The southern most of these N.E. tombs, unlike all others, contained a very broad deep step which extended right round the S. and W. sides. It was probably used for the same purpose as the 2 broad shelves in the S.E. group – to hold pottery. Much Roman pottery and some glassware were found here.

A large quantity of the same heavy debris which filled the great stairway completely filled and covered these N.E. tombs, and this in turn was concealed by the same boulder strewn layer of sand which covered the entire tomb district.

N. W. CORNER STEP CHAMBERS

Some 3 m. 50 cent. from the W.N.W. corner of the building are 5 large step shaped open chambers which do not seem to have been constructed by the builders of the Roman tombs, but at a more remote period; they contained, however, a few fragments of Roman pottery. They consist of two small groups of 3 and 2 chambers: those of the three are 2 m. 45 cent. X  2 m. 20 cent. and 0 m. 73 cent. deep; 2 m. 45 cent. X 1 m. 35 cent. and 0 m 45 cent. deep; 2 m. 45 cent. X 1 m. 95 cent. and 0 m. 85 cent. deep; while those of the 2 group, measure 3 m. 55 cent. X 2 m. 65 cent. and 1 m. 25 cent. deep, and 3 m. 55 cent. X 2 m. 35 cent. and 0 m. 90 cent. deep.

The walls are unplastered, and the bricks facing them, which are complete and unbroken, are part of the undisturbed brickwork; thus conveying the impression that these N.W. step chambers were part of the original design. The 2 lowest ones are walled on all 4 sides; the chambers above forming large deep steps. As the structure has been greatly reduced at this N.W. corner, where it was most subject to aerial and other damage, these chambers were doubtless much deeper. The bricks at this point are the largest found in the tomb: 0 m. 25 cent. X 0 m. 12 cent. X 0 m. 09 cent.

SURFACE FINDS

The debris in the Roman tomb chambers, and that above the shaft, contained several complete pieces and many fragments of Roman pottery ; also fragments of thin Roman glassware. The pottery was in grey or red clay, and dull or polished . we secured some 26 different designs, ranging from the minute to the medium size – from a few centimetres, to 50 and 60, but none were of exceptional interest. Some were crudely made, but many were fine examples of Roman skill in that line. A few in dull grey clay were roughly ornamented by square and scroll designs in black and red, the colours retaining almost all their original freshness. A few of the larger pointed jars held a small amount of bitumen, and a powder common to such pottery.

Unfortunately no complete object in glass was found, nor could we trace from the gathered fragments the original design of even one. Most of them, however, were of a circular and flat pattern, and would measure about 0 m. 40 cent. in diameter. Two flat circular fragments of a light green shade were extremely thin, and were bordered by a delicate narrow oval tube scarcely thicker than a card. These glass fragments were in light and dark green, and light brown, perfectly clear and unblemished.

Deep down in the heavy debris of brickwork, just outside the S. protective wall, we found a long, narrow, single edged steel knife (length 0 m. 33 1/2 cent.). The hard wooden handle was plainly carved and blunt pointed; while a thin, verdigris covered bronze ring encircled the blade close to the hilt. The blade, which tapered to a long point, was very heavily caked with rust; which might indicate in this dry climate, that it had been dropped or thrown away when in a moist condition. It would be interesting to know under what conditions this unique piece had been left in such a strange place.

STAIRWAY, SHAFT AND PORTCULLIS.

While clearing the surface of the brickwork 3 m. 40 cent. from the N. wall and about the centre of it, we discovered 4 narrow steps (0 m. 86 cent. wide) leading downwards from W. to E. into an open passage 1 m. 58 cent. wide and 1 m. 47 cent. deep. This passage boldly spreads southwards for over 17 metres terminating in a squarely built almost vertical brick wall 5 m. 40 cent. wide at the top, and a tapering downwards for about 7 metres to the mouth of the large rock cut shaft. This shaft which is 2 m. 34 cent. wide at the top, in turn leading to the great portcullis nearly 8 metres below. The portcullis base would therefore be about 17 m. 50 cent below the highest part of the tomb at this point. At nearly 3 metres from the N. end of this passage we discovered several of the upper steps of a large brick stairway which led southwards to the shaft below. They were 1 m. 58 cent. wide, and probably narrowed to 1 m. 26 cent. at the lower end; which is the width of the shaft at the point where the stairway would intersect it. According to the angle of the exposed upper part of this stairway it would measure in length some 12 m. 50 cent. and would strike the shaft some 7 metres above its base.

We did not clear the stairway owing to the immense mass of heavy debris which blocked it, and therefore could not secure the full stairway and shaft details. However, from the size of the shaft at the top of the large portcullis (2 m. 30 cent. N. to S.) and from the angle of the upper part of the stairway, we were able to secure a fairly accurate sketch.

The stairway and shaft are not oriented with the mastaba walls, which are 9˚ E. of N., but are nearly true N.; the N. end of the passage at the 4 small steps being 0 m. 48 cent. W. of the centre of the tomb, while the portcullis is 0 m. 54 cent E. of it.

To avoid clearing the compactly filled stairway and passage we made a cutting into the E. side of the tomb some 16 metres from the N., where we struck a roughly constructed stone stairway which fortunately led directly to the top of the shaft, about 7 metres below. The shaft was filled with somewhat clean sand containing few small stones, the debris being distinctly different from that which filled the great stairway. The stairway debris, composed almost entirely of heavy stones in soiled and caked sand, towered for over 12 metres above the bed of sand on which it rested at the portcullis, and was a constant menace to those using the shaft. at a point opposite the top of the portcullis I removed with my hands a little of the sand upon which the debris rested; exposing a small hollow, at the back of which could be seen the N. end of the shaft. as I made this discovery after we had finished the excavation, and was alone at the time, I could not continue the investigation; for the removal of another handful of sand might have brought down the entire mass upon me.

The shaft for nearly 8 metres is roughly hewn from sand stone containing much iron oxide, but throughout is regularly shaped. It is nearly 2 m. 40 cent. wide at the top, slightly narrowing towards the base; which for nearly 3 metres is cut from light streaked, brownish clay. Between the top of the shaft, and the great mass of tomb brickwork above it, is a metre deep course of light reddish sand, the colour due to much salts of iron. The S. wall just above this contained a 0 m. 70 cent. forced hole (depth unknown) blocked by large stones; which we did not remove.

On the western side of the shaft rough footholds had been cut at irregular distances, and had previously been but little used. Although difficult to use, we found them very helpful.

The portcullis, 4 m. 50 cent. high, 1 m. 92 cent. wide, and 0 m. 67 cent. thick, is an immense oval evenly chiselled from white limestone. The face and reverse are slightly rounded, but the sides, and the top and base, are cut almost into a half round. It is placed erect, before and against the short passage leading southwards directly into the main chamber of the tomb. It extends for 1 m. 40 cent. above that passage, and sinks for nearly half a metre into the clay below it. It is not truly placed; the west side being a little to the N., but this seems to have been its original position.

Much clay had previously been cut away from the west side of the portcullis by explorers who desired to gain access to the tomb chambers without shifting the great white stone, and we entered by the same forced passage.

 MAIN TOMB CHAMBERS

The tomb chambers, which consist of a large main chamber, a central corridor and several galleries with and without tombs are, cut throughout from a firm brownish clay, showing at places grey and reddish grey streaks, which are often of a peculiar wavy pattern, similar to that in other tombs in the district.

They are oriented with the exterior tomb structure, and slope considerably from N. to S. There is a considerable irregularity in the construction; the corners and long lines seldom being true. The floors slope, and the walls when long, are noticeably curved.

The walls of the main chamber, corridor, and west chamber (the most important of the tomb), held patches of smooth, clear white plaster or cement; which would indicate that they had been entirely covered by it. The scaling of the clay had caused it to fall away. This cement resembles, and is probably similar to, that used on the exterior tomb walls. There were no decorations nor inscriptions of any kind. The little ornamentation, which is very plain, is confined to the corridor and the west chamber.

A short, level passage (1 m. 22 cent.) leads southwards from the portcullis directly into the main chamber of the tomb. This chamber, which measured 11 m. 90 cent.  from E. to W., is only 2 m. 06 cent. wide, and of an average depth of 2 m. 62 cent. We found it about two thirds filled with debris of clay and stones, which contained many fragments of early Ancient Empire pottery. Sand had sifted in heavily upon this from the short passage leading to the portcullis.

(letters in following text refer to this fig - see larger version for details)

The N. or portcullis side of the chamber contains 3 tombs some 4 m. 50 cent. long, 1 m. 50 cent. wide and 0 m. 80 cent. deep; their floors being some 1 m. 70 cent. above that of the main chamber. The end of the tomb to the W. of the portcullis (B) had been forced for 1 m. 75 cent. and so skilfully done that it was difficult to distinguish the forced part from the real. Over half the floor of the eastern tomb of these 3 (D) had been very roughly hewn away, and to the same floor level as the chamber.

From the E. end of the main chamber, and at the same level, a 4 m. 12 cent. gallery led to a tomb (E) nearly 2 metres long, 0 m. 80 cent. wide and 0 m. 80 cent. deep, which was cut into the N. wall of the gallery 1 m. 82 cent. above its floor.

From the W. end of the main chamber, and 1 m. 73 cent. above its floor, the long narrow west gallery (A), without tombs, extends W. for 3 m. 45 cent., then E. for 3 m. 30 cent.; thus almost enclosing the west chamber containing the interior shaft which leads to sepulchral chamber over 10 metres below. The floor of this west gallery was entirely but lightly covered by clay particles, which scaling from the walls, had fallen upon many fragments of pottery. These had been scattered somewhat evenly from the entrance to the remote end of the gallery. Over this layer of clay a light dust had settled.

From the S.S.E. corner of the main chamber, and at the same floor level, is a gallery (F) over 5 metres long, the E. side of which contains a medium sized tomb (G) 1 m. 72 cent. above the gallery floor. This gallery contained much loose clay which had been dumped into it from either end, leaving the centre clear. It extended S. to a similar one (the S.E. gallery), but which was without a tomb chamber.

The corridor (L), extending southwards from almost the centre of the main chamber, and opposite the portcullis passage, is nearly 5 metres long (exclusive of its extension), 1 m. 75 cent. wide and about the same height as the main chamber (2 m. 62 cent.). It slopes some 8˚ from N. to S., and was over half filled with clay and stones.

An irregular forced hole some 0 m. 60 cent. X 0 m. 80 cent. and 0 m. 40 cent. deep had been cut just above the floor near the centre of the E. side. Distinct marks showed that a 0 m. 019 mill. Or 3/4 inch chisel had been used. From the ceiling a thick mass of clay, nearly 2 metres X 1, had fallen, exposing the natural rock above it; otherwise the ceilings throughout were firm.

Extending from floor to ceiling on either side of the entrance to this corridor, and facing the portcullis, is a false door some 0 m. 95 cent. in width, on the E. side, and 60 only on the W. The panels are 0 m. 24 cent. wide, and cut 0 m. 02 cent. into the clay. Much of the wall at the base of these had fallen, or been broken away. Great patches of white plaster still adhered to these and to the adjacent walls, and most likely the entire corridor was likewise covered.

The tops of the side walls of the corridor were bordered by a plain peculiar design which strangely exaggerates the corridor slope; and this seems to have been the intention of the designer. The borders, which are cut 0 m. 02 cent. into the clay, measure 0 m. 22 cent. wide at the N., or higher end, gradually increasing for 2 m. 40 cent. (just half the corridor length) to a width of 0 m. 39 cent. Here is a 0 m. 17 cent. ratchet shaped notch which reduces the border to its original width of 0 m. 22 cent. and the remaining half is throughout in this size. These unique side borders terminate at the lintel over the doorway of a small chamber (1) (1 m. 88 cent. X 1 m. 21 cent.) which is really an extension of the corridor. This 10 m. 05 cent. lintel, which was neatly rounded, was surmounted by two small square cut shoulders. It greatly relieved the sever lines of the corridor.

From the E. side of this linteled chamber the south east gallery (H) 6 metres long, without tombs, connected with the main chamber, S.S.E. gallery (F). Gallery (H) and the linteled chamber were nearly filled with debris, but contained only a few fragments.

From the W. side of the corridor a downward sloping passage (J) 1 m. 73 cent. long and 1 m. 35 cent. wide, the ceiling 0 m. 29 cent. below that of the corridor, led into the west chamber. The inner or chamber end of this passage was plainly ornamented at the sides and top by a single square cut shoulder.

The west chamber 4 m. 80 cent. long N. to S. (same as corridor) 1 m. 80 cent. wide, and nearly 2 m. 50 cent. high, was very irregularly constructed. The walls, although vertical, were rather curved; the ceiling and floor had a southward slope of some half a metre, and the corners were of course much out. Considerable white cement casing still adhered to the N. and E. walls. The debris of clay and heavy stones which nearly filled the chamber contained a great quantity of fragments.

The W. wall near the N. contained a squarely cut alcove 2 m. 73 cent. wide and 1 m. 77 cent. deep; across the top of which was a neatly turned lintel of the same diameter (0 m. 10 1/2 cent.) as that over the corridor extension. Like a protective arm the long, narrow tombless west gallery (A) referred to, almost surrounds this alcove.

On the S. side of the alcove, cut into the wall midway between the floor and ceiling, is a small recess chamber (K) 0 m. 98 cent. X 0 m. 75 cent. X 0 m. 82 cent. – the smallest in the tomb. The short roughly forced passage connecting this recess and the alcove may have been the enlargement of an original passage. The debris which almost filled this small chamber contained only the fragments of 4 different of discs; none of which were complete.

Sunk into the floor of this west chamber and just across the lintel-spanned alcove, is the interior shaft.

INTERIOR SHAFT AND PORTCULLIS.

The interior shaft, squarely cut throughout from firm clay, and extending from side to side of the alcove above it (2 m. 72 cent.) is 1 m. 15 cent. wide, and nearly 10 m. 50 cent. deep – about the same depth as the upper or main shaft.

The debris of clay, which contained but few fragments, was so solidly packed in the shaft that its entire removal was not necessary. At three places great quantities of it extended almost across the shaft, and remained suspended while we worked beneath.

The 7^th recess (from N.) in the wall of the tomb above, which contains two small wood lintels – the only linteled recess on the W. side – is at a point directly opposite this interior shaft. On the S. side of the shaft, before the short passage leading into the sepulchral chamber, stands the interior portcullis, the shaft having been enlarged from 1 m. 15 cent. to 1 m. 70 cent. to accommodate the stone.

This interior portcullis (measuring 2 m. 65 cent. deep, 1 m. 46 cent. wide, and 0 m. 28 cent. thick) is evenly chiselled from white limestone, which was of a finer quality than that of the upper or main portcullis; and, unlike that huge stone, its sides are perfectly flat, and the corners and edges cut square. It was in its original position E. to W. with the tomb, and apparently had never been disturbed, just enough clay, however, had been cut away from the top of it to enable one to enter the short sepulchral chamber passage. This opening was so small that neither a sarcophagus nor even an unbroken mummy could have passed through it.

SEPULCHRAL CHAMBER.

The sepulchral chamber measures nearly 5 metres long, 2 wide, and 2 deep, and the walls, corners, etc., like those in the main tomb above, were not truly shaped. It should perhaps be noted that this lower chamber is about the same length as the west chamber and corridor above.

The west wall near the entrance passage contained a recess 2 m. 45 cent. long, 1 m. 50 cent. wide, and of the same height as the chamber. The chamber and recess which were hewn from the same kind of clay as the tombs above, had been cut right down to a bed of natural rock. Just before the recess this stone floor had been shattered in several places, and a small triangular piece removed.

The chamber was nearly half filled with particles of clay, containing few pottery fragments; but in the recess, which was most likely built for the reception of the remains of the person for whom the monument was built, we found a small deposit of human bones. These were clear, dull white, and soft brittle, and were found upon and near the recess floor. It appears that the rest of the body had been entirely removed from the tomb, for these were the only human remains found there. It was doubtless a most important burial.

There was no trace of a sarcophagus, nor could one have been there; for its removal would have entailed the shifting of the interior and upper portcullis, neither of which had been disturbed. Besides, the construction of this tomb antedates the period at which that mode of burial was introduced.

FINDS.

The exterior finds, which consisted of fragments of Roman pottery and glassware, were made in the surface tombs and upper part of the shaft, and have been referred to. Most of the objects belonging to the tomb proper, however, were found principally in the heavy debris of the main chamber, the corridor and in the west chamber. These were principally in limestone, alabaster, granite, red and white brescia; with some diorite, green schist, and porphyry.

The three smaller tombs (B), (C), (D) on the N. side of the main chamber held but a few fragments, but those found in the long west gallery (A) should be especially mentioned. The gallery contained but little debris; none having been thrown into it. It consisted of fine clay particles which had scaled from the walls and ceiling, and which lay at a light and even depth. This was covered in turn by a thin layer of peculiar dust. Beneath this light debris of dust covered clay were alabaster and other fragments of pottery which had been evenly strewn over the entire gallery floor (16 metres long), right to its extreme end. They do not seem to have been thrown there, but carefully spread. The gallery, which is without tombs, and which seems to have been built especially for such pottery, terminates, strangely enough, just above the centre of the sepulchral chamber recess in which we found part of the remains of the person for whom the monument was probably erected. (see Sepulchral Chamber).

Now according to the belief of several savants, in reference to which nothing has yet been published, it was a funeral ceremony during the early Ancient empire to sometimes break the offering vessels at the time of interment, and distribute the fragments over certain parts of the tomb. It is not improbable that it was due to this custom that the fragments found in the long west gallery (A) had been so carefully distributed throughout it; and which, according to the condition in which we found them, had apparently never been disturbed.

All the pottery in M. de Morgan’s tomb at Negadah, was also found broken, but the condition of his tomb would indicate that its destruction was due to other causes. Owing to the abundance of the offerings placed in those vessels he considered his tomb a royal one. As this Ghizeh tomb exceeded the Negadah structure by some 7 metres in length and breadth, and as the quantity of objects taken out (some 40 full mactaves) probably exceeded that at Negadah, we are perhaps justified in believing that this number one tomb at Ghizeh is also a royal one, and that it occupant was of an equal or even a superior rank. Unfortunately there were but few objects showing inscriptions: the characters, which were roughly incised or reed painted, made no reference as to the origin of the tomb. It must, therefore, at least for the present, remain a mystery.

Neither from the fragments in the west gallery, nor from those of other parts, which during the greater part of the excavation we kept separate, could we fit one complete object. Nor from all the fragments found in the entire tomb could we complete one single object. We occasionally found enough pieces to complete the third or even the half or more of one object, but only to find that the remaining parts had been removed from the tomb. In the case of several brescia (there was much brescia), and marble discs, pieces were found which completed say, a third or more – the fragments fitting in to their proper places, thus showing the outlines of the complete piece: but the missing parts could never be secured. Near the bottom of the depression at the N.E. corner of the brick work we found the fourth of a plain, tapering rimmed alabaster bowl: and nine months later found over a half of the same bowl in the debris of the main chamber below. This was the only fragment of antique pottery found outside the interior tomb chambers. I consider it remarkable that in taking out some forty mactaves of fragments, averaging twelve objects each – say five hundred in all – that we could not make up even one complete. There was somewhat of an exception however: a blue white and grey volcanic bowl, similar in design to one found by Prof. Petrie in the IInd Dynasty of King Khasekhemui at Abydos, had been twice severely struck without breaking and then thrown aside – the consistency of the stone alone saving it.

Among the broken articles we recognised nine designs of bowl, vases, etc, similar to those found by Prof. Petrie in early dynasty tombs at Abydos: especially in that of the above mentioned king.

Our tomb contained neither jar sealings nor ivory objects: recognising the historical value of these and of other materials as helps to finding the name of constructor, the location of the period etc, we kept a careful watch for same.

A complete double edged copper blade about 0m. 28 cent. long was taken fro the corridor debris. It tapered from 0m. 04 cent. at the hilt up to about 0m. 05 3/4 cent. at the centre; then down to some 0m. 02 1/2 cent. at the rounded point. It was without a handle, but a thin, firm, sharp piece (0m. 04 1/2 cent.) at the hilt would indicate it had been removed. It was found contracted in to eight uneven folds and heavily coated with verdigris. One of the edges had been sharp, but the other was finely ridged like a saw. It most closely resembles a surgical instrument. The handful of copper fragments found were too small to show the design or size of the original object.

In the interior shaft we found the lower portion of a small cylinder shaped vial in dull white alabaster. It was 0m. 017 mill. in diameter (length unknown), and contained the lower part of a 0m. 003 mill. drilled hole which had likely held some rare oil or dye.

In the West chamber, near the top of the interior shaft, our men found three small (0m. 01 cent.) round objects in dull white alabaster, and one in red. They resembled ordinary playing marbles, but probably were weights. In the corridor, we found the only piece of wood in the tomb. It was originally somewhat square (0m. 10 cent. x 0m. 07 cent. x 0m. 07 cent.) but had become round edged. It was of alight brown shade, -lighter than the wood in the exterior tomb lintels, and was so dried out and honeycombed by its great age as to be lighter than cork. Its use is not known. The four complete pieces of silex found were common to that remote period.

L Dow Covington

COVINGTON, Lorenzo Dow (fl. 1902-1910)

American excavator; being of independent means he made excavations at the Pyramids and the neighbouring mastabas of Gizeh, 1902 - 10; he also explored Wadi el-Kattar; he was assisted in his work by J.E. Quibell; he published reports of his discoveries in ASAE 6, 9, and 10.

From: WHO WAS WHO IN EGYPTOLOGY: Pub by The Egypt Exploration Society: 3 Doughty Mews, WC1