TOMBS OF EGYPT.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 58, 9 March 1935, Page 7 (Supplement)

TOMBS OF EGYPT.

SECRETS REVEALED

ROYAL ROADWAY UNCOVERED

ENDED NEAR THE SPHINX.

Age-old secrets of tho Sphinx and the tomb of a new Egyptian Queen — Rakhetra, who lived about 30GG B.C.— have been revealed at the Gizeh pyramids.

Robbers had, however, penetrated the queen's tomb, xind deprived it of most of it| treasure. All that was left was the limestone sacrophagus, the skull and bones of the queen, the skeleton of a bull, and some alabaster vases. Great interest has been aroused by the discovery of a royal causeway, about half a mile" in length, leading from Kophren's pyramid down to its temple adjacent to 'the Sphinx (says the London "Daily Telegraph"),. This consists of four parallel streets with a total width of 90 feet. There is a trench on either side to separate the causeway —which was paved—from the necropolis. Indications are everywhere evident that it was covered, aiid that the two masonry ruins, long known to the west of Kephren's pyramid temple, are the remains of tho masonry wall which ran along either side of the central causeway. The remains of two brick walls running at right angles to the causeway on the north side, and parallel to one another, have also been exposed. These were obviously to protect the. Sphinx from drifting sand, just as has been done at a lower level to-day.

When Sand Was Cleared. From the fact that his cartouche (royal insignia) has been found on some of these mud brick 3, it is clear that these walls were the work of Thotmes IV. His stela (an inscribed slab), standing between the front paws of the Sphinx, records that, in obedience to tbcinjunctions in a dream of tho god Harmarkis —whoso image the Sphinx was at that time believed to be —he cleared the Sphinx from the sand which, had submerged it. From the clearance of tho several thousand tons of sand which covered this area has emerged an interesting fact with regard to the Sphinx. This is that the northern trench of the causeway ends in the hollow in which the Sphinx stands. Since, as mentioned, the trenches were for the purpose of separating the necropolis from the causeway, and carried away water, it is obvious that the Sphinx had not been carved out of the rock at that spot at the time when the trenches were made.

In other words, hero is evidence that the Sphinx does not date beyond the reign of Kephren —namely, about 3360 B.C. —and that the causeway and trenches were built in conjunction with his pyramid. . , The tomb of the new queen, who has been identified as Rekhctra, bears the title: "She who kocs Horns and Set." In other words: "She who lias free access to the king."

Her other titles are given as "king's daughter," the "great beloved and king's wife"." This indicates that she was a daughter of Kcphren, and most probably one of the wives of her brother Mycerinus (brother-sister marriages in early Egyptian times, particular in the royal family, were quite common). The work has also laid bare the burial sites of many of the court officials of the fourth dynasty—3733 B.C.—particularly of Kephren, who reigned 50 years. They include the tombs of the men who to-day would be the Secretary of State for War, the Commander-in-Chief of the Army, a Lord of the Admiralty. Among these is a family vault which was used from the time of Kephren to that of Erneferkara, the third king of the fifth dynasty—S.lGG B.C. Here lies the tomb of Kaomnephei'et, "the queen's spiritual adviser." On the two jambs of the door are Kephren's cartouches, with the name of his daughter Kekhetra. whose-tomb has just been identified. She is shown smellir.g a lotus flower, and in front of her Kacmnepheret is presenting incense. Tho false door of Kaemnepheret's tomb is almost unique in that it lias none of the usual formulae of prayers to the king and the gods, but only a list of offerings. Next is the tomb of Niarekheret, a relative of Kaemnepheret. Ho served under Kephren and Mycerimis and hie titles arc judge, district governor.

The Dawn Sun. There is also tlio tomb of Kahcrestef, which presents some unusual features. Firstly, tlio entrance faces west instead of traditionally east. Secondly, it is approached by a series of steps. Thirdly, there is a slanting niche in the roof through which, at dawn, the sun strikes the false door, and thus eaves the burial chamber from the darkness which the iUicient Egyptians so disliked. The inscriptions show that Kaherestef was a priest of Queen Rekhetra. In this tomb are three life-size stntuer, cut in the rock —two of the owner and ono of his wife. All are smiling. _ By the side was found, in perfect condition. a beautiful little black granite statue of the owner. \ Finally there is the tomb of one KaklAnkh, named after the third king of the fifth Dynasty, whose Horns name is Kaki. Hie title would be the modern equivalent of one of the Lords of the Admiralty. Here was found a delightful white limestone statuette. It shows this official seated cross-kneed on a stela with a scroll spread across his lap. It resembles the famous "scribe" statue in the Louvre. The anatomical details (ire perfect, down to the finger nails, and the position of the feet. It is curious to note that be hae six fingers on each hand to show that he was an unusual personality.