The great pyramid passages and chambers

PLATE CXXV. front of me, which several times was nearly blown-out by the strong current of air which is constantly passing through), and examined the second short, but inclined length of the channel. This portion is also of a peculiar shape. Instead of being oblong in section like the air-channel on the opposite wall of the chamber, or the two channels leading from the Queen's Chamber, it is oval, and is lined with smooth plaster. I understand, from what Mr. Covington told us, that the channel beyond the second bend takes on the usual oblong section. It is puzzling to know why the builders should have madetwo such peculiar departures.

498 We photographed the doorway of the small passage by which we had entered the

The Coffer. King’s ChamberPlate CXXIV. To show how small it is, Grace stood near it on the west side. The opening of the north air-channel can be seen on the left-hand side; it will be noticed that its upper edge is in line with the top edge of the doorway. We secured a picture of the Coffer, with six of us sitting in it to give an idea of its size—Plate CKXV. On the right-hand side of this latter photograph, it will be noticed that a portion of the floor of the chamber is missing. Some of the floor-stones were raised from this, the north-west, corner of the chamber by early looters, who then excavated a large hollow in the soft limestone below the hard granite floor, in the hope of discovering hidden treasure somewhere under the Coffer. This excavation enables one to see that the granite walls of the chamber rest on limestone exactly five inches below the upper surface of the floor.

499 On the walls behind the Coffer, and also above the doorway, a great many disfiguring names are visible. Names are scrawled everywhere in the Pyramid. Generally they are carved in the stone; but in the King’s Chamber the granite is too hard to make this easily possible, and consequently most of the names are painted on its walls.

500 The Coffer has been much chipped and otherwise roughly handled, and yet it is wonderful how well preserved it is after so many centuries of ill usage. On striking it with the hand, it gives out a clear bell-like sound. This is due to the fact that it is

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