The Arkansas banner., 1843-09-16


 EggptIhr. Lepsius is actively pursuing his Interesting labors at the pyramids Of the progress of Rs researches, as far as they have hitherto advaaced, he has given cir cnmstantlal report lnSeveral letters, recently published officially byshe prussian Govcrn- ment The following isSso extract from one of the latest It is dated fren Gizeh, at the foot of the pyramid of Cheom. January od "What will you say when you lesrp that we have advanced no farther than this. We ar- rived here on the 9th of November, a,d berc we have passed the first day of the newzear. But who can foretel the extent of the r..b
 harvest we may reap on this earliest seen. of the history of mankind? It is incredible how little this spot has been explored, though more visited than any other part of Egypt But it is my task to gather tire fruit, and have no wish to dispute the claim to it with my learned predecessors The best maps of this site, hitherto produced, represent two tombs, beside the pyramids, having particu- lar inscriptions and figures, Now we have drawn a minute typographical plan of the whole monumental plain, and on this plan there arc marked, independently of the pyr- amids, forty-fve tombs, whose occupants have ascertained by the inscriptions. There are altogether eighty-two tombs, which, on account of their inscriptions or other pecu- liarlties, demand particular attention. With the exception of about twelve, which belong to a later period, all these tombs were erect ed contemporaneoasly with, or soon after the building of the Great Pyramid, and con se9uenily their dates thi ow an iny,I able ligh | tLa ot,,,ltr If .l.
 most remote period of antiquity. Theil structure, respecting which could speak only from supposition, i'll my work on Egyp- tan architecture, IS now developed before my eyes; all the architectural parts are perfectly made out; and to my :, eat satisfaction the suppositions 1 hazarded are fully confirmed. l The sculptures in relief are surprisingly nu- merous, and represent whole figures, some | the size of life, and others of various dimen- sions. Their style of execution is bold and decided, but evidently not restrained by the laws of proportion, which, at later period, were implicitly observed. The paintings are on backgrounds of the finest chalk. They are numerous and beautiful beyond coneep- tion--as fresh and perfect as if finished only yesterday. The pictures and sculptures on the walls of the tombs represent, for the most part, scenes in the lives of the deceased per sons, whose wealth ill cattle, fish, boats, ser wants, &c., IS ostentatiously displayed before the eye of the spectator. All this gives an insight into the details of private life among the ancient Egyptians. The scenes thus re- presented are explained by the Inscriptions, which sometimes name the numerous mem bers of the family of the deceased, together with all his titles and offices. By the help of these inscriptions, think could, with out much difficulty make court calendar of the reign of King Cheops The most splen- did Wausoleums are those of the princes who were either relations of the King, or persons holding high appointments in the royal service These structures are situated in the proximity of the pyramids. In some instances have traced the graves of father son, grandson, and even great-grandson--al
 that now remain of the distinguished families which four thousand years ago formed the nobility of the land. The post of .superin- tendent of the Kings buildings must have :, been, in those days of colossal architecture an appointment of vast importance, and il } was frequently given to princes of the blood royal. One oi the most magnificent tombs 1 have discovered here, (which, with many , others, was completely buried beneath the sand,) is that of d Prince of the house o Cheops, who held the office of chief super. intendent of buildings. It may be presumed the greatest building of the age, the p1tramit of Cheops, was executed under the direction of this parsonage. now daily employ fifty or sixty men. in digging, and in other kind. of labor, and large excavation has beer made in front of the Great Sphinx.'
 Launca of Me Greai Britain-The 19i