Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-06-15
OTHER FINDS IN EGYPT.
Results Of Excavations In the Mem
phis Decropolis, Oaahur, &c.

phis DecFop0lts, Oaahor, &c.
A Cairo special says: The metropolis OF
Dashur. which during the last two years
has been the ground Of 80 many splendid
finds. seems to be inexhsustIble, as Nj. j.
de Morgan. the happy dlscoverer OF the
treasures Of Princesses tia nd khnou-
mits has recently made a new discovery.
This time II comes in the shape OF an
geographic document Of the highest IN
terest. On the border OF the desert. close
by the Nile Valley. between Amenemhat
lis pyramid, near which the above-men-
toned treasures ware found. and that OF
Amenemhat ILL.,, NJ. de Morgan came
upon the sepulchre OF a high Official
ramed Si-Isit, who was High Priest
OF Ptah, Arch Chancellor. and the Kings
friend" titles much thought OF among
the old Egyptians. AS far az IL known,
the royal vaults Of the three pyramids
opened by NJ. de Morgan at Dashur
CAmenemhat H., Usertesen Ill, and
Amenemhat lid, had no inscription on
their walls. The only ones found were
those OF the shrines located outside OF the
eastern face OF the pyramid ana devoteo
to the worship OF the dead Pharaoh. But
Si-lslt was a lord in his time. proud Of
length. No less than li6 columns OF
hieroglyphs decorate the walls OF his rest
ing vault in connection with panels carved
In Tourah limestone. on which ne Is re-
presented seated. and partaking with
dignity OF the funeral repast brought be-
fore him.
Si-Islt is an aged man, somewhat stout.
with a stern physiognomy; his hair cut
short, his skull compact. his lower lip
hanging slightly. His portrait, full Of In
dividuality and expression. is fashioned
by a master hand. The treatment Of the
chIsel Is broad and free. even In the
smallest details. The hieroglyphs. hardly
measuring one inch. are carved with
perfection only attained by cameo cutters.
Si-Isit ordered the construction OF his
tomb on a nearly royal plan. the dis
position being very like that of King
Unas at Saqqaarah. A passageway. COW
cred with roof made OF large slabs
placed at sharp angles, slopes gently
under ground by an incline 10 the burial
chamber, which is comparatively small
$50 metres by LIS metres. This room Is
completely filed by an enormous sar-
cophagus in gray granite. To the left are
two smaller rooms. one containing
monolithic canopy case Of the same ma
terial. The spoliators discovered and ran
sacked this grave. Large pieces or car
nelian. fragments OF gold leaves and bits
OF iagellum are the only witnesses left
to show what were the treasures buried in
that sepulchre.
This discovery would seem of small inn
portance compared With the finds made
previously at Dashur. II II were not for
the inscriptions decorating the burial
vaults of Si-Isit. These LAG vertical lines
of hieroglyphs. all carved In limestone
and painted green, are documents OF the
highest interest, as they afford points Of
comparison with similar texts found by
NJ. Maspero in the pyramids of Sag
qaarah. They give an opportunity TO
study the transformations in the language
and writing which may have taken place
between the fifth and sixth dynasties
and the twelfth, as both inscriptions are
propitIatory formulas from the mortuary
ritual, the study OF which by biologists
cannot fail to be a source of much in
formation.
We must now turn to another point OF
the Memphis necropolis-to Lisht. its
southern extremity. Since Marietta or
ganiZed and took the direction of the
service. the exploration OF this important
ground has always been reserved by the
department. NJ. de Morgan this year made
an exception to this rule In favor of the
French mission. but under conditions that
proved very beneficial to the Egyptian
Museum. Mr.. r.. Gauthier was authorized
to explore the surroundings of the two
Lsht pyramids. he. in the sole interest
OF science contributing literally all the
expenses of the work, while all the OBJ
jects found remain the property of the
GiZeh Museum. While the service reserved
to itself the opening of the pyramids, the
exploration OF their vicinity. and the
mastabas was intrusted to the French
mission. Since December last Messrs.
Gauthier and Gequier have been al work.
Their labors have been rewarded by dis
coveries OF great historical interest. AS
they rightly reserve the privilege of pub
fishing their finds. but few details are
obtanable. 1t is known. however, that
they have found ten statues in a perfect
state OF preservation. $50 metres high.
say, about s feet, hidden near the ruins
of the chapel of the southern Lisht pyra-
mid. They are finely executed. and adorn-
ed with carved reliefs of an historical
character; all represent Csertesen L., Sc
cond king OF the twelfth dynasty (2i33 Il.
c., Marietta, or H5s-2i14 Il. c., Petrie).
Further In the ruins OF the temple OF the
pyramid the explorers discovered a splen-
did table of offerings in granite.
bearing the cartouch OF King Usertesen
Il. IL REPRESENTS ESs ptidu SiohitH
their offerings TO the monarch. A dozen
similar monuments OF less importance.
besides fragments OF inscription. were
found during the work. and through them
the southern pyramid Of Lisht was identi
fled as the resting-place OF Usertesen L..
thus corroborating the opinion expressed
by NJ. MasDero.
These pyramids are In a much dilapi-
dated condition; the castings have been
carried away and look in the distance like
shapeess mounds The royal vaults have
never been entered by modern explorers.
They possess a popularity which makes
il very laborious Undertaking 10 open
them. The passageway is of granite. and
the obstruction is of blocks of the same
material. fitting tight which have been
left 10 slide down by their own weight In
the inclined tube-like passag way. n.
Maspero, when director of the department
OF antiquities, made an attempt TO force
his way into the epulchral-room. He had
a portion of the granite obstruction cut
and removed. but was prevented from GO
ing any further by the thrush of water.
NJ de Morgan is determined to enter
the royal vault; his plan was all prepared
for this years campaign Of excavation,
but his presence at Dashur was impera-
lively needed, so that the work has been
postponed. We are waiting with interest
for Mr. Gauthier's official report on his
discoveries, and congratulate him on his
Success and liberalitV 10 science