To Doctor Hans Sloane, Secretary to the Royal Society, and Fellow of the College of Phisicians, London.

In considering the Nature of the Egyptian Pyramids, Subterranean Vaults and Lamps, I not only found in them much Magnificence, but more Curiosity, insomuch that tho’ the first were justly reputed Wonders of the World, yet are the last as surprizing and unaccountable, even to the most inquisitive Naturalist, or expert Chymist. Now well knowing your incomparable Library contains the most curious Books wrote on this Subject, as also that your unparalell’d Musæum is furnish’d with a great variety of Lamps, Lacrimatories, Averruncal Gods, and the like Rarities, taken out of the Pyramids and Subterranean Places of Egypt, I thought it not only proper to beg your Patronage of the following Sheets, but likewise believ’d my self oblig’d to return such Acknowledgments for your many Favours as I was best able to make, in as much as you are both a great Promoter of Arts and Sciences in general, and have more particularly been pleas’d to encourage this Work of mine: But as to write a Panegyric on your Merit and Virtues would look too much like Flattery, so, entirely to pass them by without taking any notice of them, would no less savour of Ingratitude, therefore I must needs desire leave to say, That the Judgment of the Royal Society, Men of the most polite Learning in the World, in choosing you for their Secretary, is a sufficient Argument of your great Worth and acute Discernment; but your Candour will appear in nothing so much as in accepting this succinct Account of the Pyramids, Subterranean Vaults and Lamps of the Egyptians, whilst you have by you the Learned Mr. Greaves’s Pyramidographia, with the several Accounts of Licetus, Bellori, and other Writers about Lamps, &c. Now whereas in the foregoing Letter was fully shown the manner of preparing dead Bodies and rendring them durable, in this I chiefly intend to speak of the Sepulchres or Repositories wherein they were laid; for as much as the Egyptians did not only content themselves with Embalming their Dead, but likewise with equal Care provided Conditories that might be lasting as the Body, and in which it might continue safe from the Injuries both of Time and Men, because they religiously believ’d that so long as the Body indur’d, so long would the Soul continue with it, not as a quickning or animating Spirit, but as an Attendant or Guardian, and without going into any other Body, as otherwise they thought it would; so that after they had preserv’d the Dead from Putrifaction, they next entomb’d them in firm and stately Monuments, such as were at first those Mercurial Sepulchres of hard Marble of a Spherical Figure, as Strabo records, and those wonderful ones of the antient Kings of Thebes in Egypt, which Diodorus Siculus, Lib. 1. mentions, and such were also the Hypogæa, those Caves or Dormitories cut out in the Lybian Desarts, by the Egyptians of lower Quality, which are now term’d the Mummies. Of the same Nature likewise are the stately Pyramids built by their Kings, |Pyramids to what end built.| all being design’d to secure the Dead, after they were Embalm’d, from the Injuries of the Nile or Weather, the rapine of an Enemy or any voracious Animal; and that so the Soul might be still oblig’d to attend them: But besides this general Reason why these Reconditories were built, which was to preserve the Dead from all external Violence, |Why of a Pyramidal form.| there were two special ones why they were made in a Pyramidal form. The first was, in that this Figure appears most permanent and durable, as being neither so liable to be over-press’d by its own weight at top, nor to be undermin’d by the sinking in of Rain at the bottom, as other Buildings are. The second was, because these Structures were intended to represent some of the Egyptian Deities; for, in the most antient Times, Pyramidal Columns or Obelisks were worshipp’d as Images of the Gods, before the exact Art of Carving Statues was found out, and so as Isis Cornigera represented the Horns of the Moon, in like manner might these Pyramids represent the Rays of the Sun, which the Egyptians worshipp’d under the name of Osiris. As to the number of Pyramids to be seen in Egypt, |Their number.| Bellonius very much exceeds the Account given us by other Travellers, for he makes them above 100, whereas Greaves says there are not 20, and Prince Radzivil reckon’d but 17. Three of these are the most remarkable, being built on Africa side, |Scituation.| on a rocky and barren Hill, between the City Memphis and the Place call’d Delta, from the Nile less than four Miles, from Memphis six, and near to Busiris, a Village from whence People are wont to ascend up to them, Pliny Lib. 36. cap. 12. Le Bruyn has given us this Drawing of them, together with the Sphinx which he made on the spot, whilst the French Consul and some of his Company were refreshing themselves under its Shade.

These three Pyramids were not erected by the Israelites, under the Tyranny of the Pharaohs, as Josephus and some modern Writers affirm; for the Scripture says positively, the Slavery of the Jews consisted in making and burning Brick, whereas all these Pyramids were made of Stone. The first and greatest of them was built, |Who were the Founders of them.| says Herodotus, by Cheops (stil’d by Diodorus Siculus, Chemmis) who succeeded Rhampsinitus in the Kingdom of Egypt. He adds, that the Stones were dug out of the Quarries of an Arabian Mountain, and from thence carry’d to the Nile; that there were employ’d in the Work Ten Miriads or a Hundred Thousand Men, every Three Months a Myriad; that the whole Pyramid was finish’d in 20 Years, whereof 10 were spent in conveying the Stones to the Place of building.

The second Pyramid, like the first in respect to its Workmanship, but far inferior in regard of its Magnitude, was built by the Successor to Cheops, who was Cephren his Brother, as Herodotus and Diodorus Siculus agree.

The third Pyramid, less than either of the two former, was built by Mycerinus, Son of Cheops or Chemmis, says Herodotus. Other Writers give different Names to the Founders of these Pyramids; but this is what is most probable among their various Opinions, according to Mr. Greaves. Besides these three now in being, Herodotus mentions a fourth built of Brick by Asychis, who succeeded Mycerinus, and another in which Imandes was bury’d, at the end of the Labyrinth built by the 12 Kings of Egypt. Also long before any of these, Mœris in his wonderful Lake, had erected two Pyramids, one for himself and another for his Wife, both long since gone to ruine; but there are many yet standing in the Lybian Desart, whose Founders none of the antient Writers have ever nam’d. Among these one is no less worthy of Memory than either of the three former, it standing about 20 Miles distant from them, more within the sandy Desart, and appearing to have the same Dimensions, the same Steps without as the first has, to be of the same Colour, and to have an Entrance like it on the North side, which is barr’d up within, and so whatever is said of the first in respect to its out-side may be applicable to this last, therefore one Description may serve for both.

The first and fairest of the three great Pyramids is scituate on the top of a rocky Hill, in the sandy Desart of Lybia, about a quarter of a Mile distant Westward from the Plains of Egypt, the height of the scituation giving Beauty as the solidity of the Rock does firmness to the Superstructure. The Basis is exactly four square, and the North side of it being measur’d by Mr. Greaves with a Radius of 10 Foot, was found to be 693 English Foot, and the Altitude being measur’d by its Perpendicular, was found to be 481 Foot; but if taken as it ascends inclining, then is it equal to the Basis, which is 693 Foot. To give a true Idea of the just Dimensions of this Pyramid, we must imagine on the sides of the Basis, which is exactly square, four equilateral Triangles mutually propending, till they all meet at the top as it were in a point; for so the Perimeter of each Triangle comprehending 2079 Foot, and the Perimeter of the Basis 2772 Foot, the whole Area of the Basis will contain 480249 square Foot, or about 11 English Acres of Ground, which is a Proportion so monstrous, that it might seem incredible were it not attested by the Ancients to be so much, and by some of them more. The Ascent to the top of the Pyramid, from all the sides without, is by Degrees or Steps; the lowermost Degree is near four Foot in height, and three in breadth, which goes about the Pyramid in a level: The second Degree is like the first, only it retires inward near three Foot; after the same manner is the third Row, and so the rest, rising like so many Stairs one above another to the top, which ends not in a point, but in a little flat, and is about 13 Foot broad, being cover’d with nine Stones, besides two which are wanting at the Angles. The Degrees by which we ascend are not of an equal depth, for some are near four Foot, others want of three, and the higher we ascend, the depth grows the less, and so in proportion does the breadth also. These rows of Stones are much impair’d by the Weather, yet every Step, which is but one single Stone, is at least 30 cubical Feet; the number of Degrees from the bottom to the top is 207 or 208. Some of the Ancients have reported, that this Pyramid casts no Shadow, which must be meant in the Summer-Time and at Mid-Day, for in the Winter Mr. Greaves saw it cast a Shadow at Noon. Thus far concerning the out-side or Superficies of the greater Pyramid, with the Figure and Dimensions of it; next Mr. Greaves gives a particular Account of what he found within it, of which, if the Ancients have been silent, he imputes it chiefly to a reverend and awful Regard mix’d with Superstition, in not presuming to enter those Chambers of Death, which Religion and Devotion had consecrated to the Rest and Quiet of the Dead. And first he tells us how he ascended on the North side 38 Foot, on an artificial Bank of Earth, when he and his Company enter’d, |The Entrance.| with Tapers in their Hands, thro’ a square narrow Passage three Foot broad and 92 long, the Declivity of which was gradually so strait, that they were forc’d, at the farther end, to creep on their Bellies. After this, having pass’d thro’ a place in which they found ugly large Bats above a Foot long, they enter’d the first Gallery, |First and second Gallery.| the Pavement of which was of white and pollish’d Marble, rising with a gentle Acclivity, being about five Foot broad, as many high, and 110 Foot long: At the end of this begins the second Gallery, a very stately piece of Work, and not inferiour, either in respect of the curiosity of Art or richness of Materials, to the most sumptuous and magnificent Buildings. ’Tis divided from the former by a Wall, thro’ which they pass’d stooping along a square hole, much about the same bigness as the entrance of the Pyramid, but of no considerable length yet level: At the end of this Hole on the right Hand, |The Well.| they found the Well mention’d by Pliny to be 86 Cubits in depth, into which, he probably imagines, the Water of the River Nile was brought by some secret Aqueduct, and Bellonius thinks, out of this Well the Workmen drew the Water which they drank, as likewise that it serv’d them to dilute the Mortar they us’d in the Masons Work of the Building; but others affirm, that after having descended 67 Foot strait downwards, there is a square Window which leads into a Grot or Cave dug out of a Hill found there, not of living or solid Stone, but of Sand condens’d and press’d together; it extends in length from East to West 15 Foot lower, and consequently 82 from the top. There is a Way dug in the Rock two Foot and half wide, whose descent downwards is very crooked the length of 123 Foot, at the end of which it is fill’d with Sand and Bats nastiness: As ’tis said a Scotch Gentleman found it out, of whom the Sieur Thevenot makes mention in his Travels. Le Bruyn thinks it probable, that this Well was made to let down the Corps into, that were put in the Cavities that are under the Pyramids, but would not venture the Experiment of going down to see. Greaves also thinks this Well was the Passage to those secret Vaults, mention’d, but not describ’d by Herodotus, which were hewn out of the natural Rock, over which this Pyramid was erected. This Well, says the former, is circular and about three Foot over; the sides of it are lin’d with white Marble, and the descent into it is by fixing the Hands and Feet in little open spaces, cut into the sides within, opposite and answerable to one another in a perpendicular. But by his measure, sounding it with a Line, he found it only 20 Foot deep, the rest, as he supposes, has almost been damm’d up and choak’d with Rubbage. Thence going strait forward the distance of 15 Foot, they entred another square Passage, opposite to the former and of the same bigness, the Stones being very massy and exquisitely joyn’d; this led, at the extent of 110 Foot, into an arch’d Vault or little Chamber, standing East and West, about 20 Foot long, 17 broad and 15 high: The Walls were plaister’d over with Lime, but the Roof was cover’d with large smooth Stones, which lay shelving and met above in a kind of Arch or rather Angle. Returning back the same way they came, and being out of this low and square Passage, they clim’d over it, and going strait on in the trace of the second Gallery, on a shelving Pavement (like that of the first) rising with an Angle of 26 Degrees, they at length came to another Partition, being 154 Foot distant from the Well below and the length of the Gallery. Here if we consider the narrow Entrance or Mouth of the Pyramid which descends, and the length of the first and second Galleries that ascend, all of them lying as it were in the same continu’d Line, and leading towards the middle of the Pyramid, one may easily apprehend the Reason of that strange Eccho within of four or five Voices, |A strange Eccho.| mention’d by Plutarch, or rather of a long continued Sound, as Mr. Greaves found by experience in discharging a Gun; for the Sound being carry’d thro’ those Passages, and finding no vent outwards reflects on it self, and causes a confus’d noise, which by degrees ceases. This Gallery is built of white Marble, cut very exactly into spacious squares and pollish’d; also the Roof and sides of the Wall are of the same Stone, so closely joynted as scarce to be discern’d by the most curious Eye, and tho’ the acclivity or rising of the Ascent make the Passage more difficult and slippery, yet is it nevertheless very beautiful. The height of this Gallery is 26 Foot, the breadth six, of which three are to be allow’d for the way in the midst, which is set and bounded on both sides with Seats (like Benches) of pollish’d Stone; each of these is above one Foot in breadth and no less in depth. On the top of these Benches near the Angle, where they close and joyn with the Wall, are little Spaces cut in right angl’d parallel Figures, on each side opposite to one another, intended, no doubt, for some other end than Ornament. In casting and ranging the Marble in both the side Walls, all the Courses, which are but seven, (so great are those Stones) lye and flag over one another about three Inches, as is better to be conceiv’d by Figure 2 at p. 314. than by any Description I can give.

Le Bruyn in his Voyage to the Levant, p. 139. writes more particularly of this Gallery, after the following manner: ‘Being return’d, says he, from the Horizontal Way, which is on the right Hand, we enter’d the other on the left, which is six Foot four Inches wide, and rises also the length of 162 Foot. On each side the Wall is a Stone-Bench two Foot and half high, and pretty broad, which serves to take hold by in going up, to which the Holes that are made almost every step in the Wall, are of no small Service, yet are they altogether confus’d and without order. It is not known by whom they were made; but those that go to see the Pyramids are extreamly oblig’d to them however, for without these Holes it would be impossible to get up, and a Man must likewise be very strong and in health that can do so by the help of them, and the Stone-Bench by which one holds fast with one Hand while the other holds the Candle; add to this, that a Man must make large steps, because these Holes are six Hands breadth distant from each other. This Ascent, which cannot be conceiv’d without admiration, may well pass for what is most considerable in the Pyramids; for the Stones which compose the Walls are as smooth as Looking-Glass, and so well joyn’d together, that one would be apt to take them for one single Stone. The same may be said of the Pavement. The Roof is here exceeding high and so very sumptuous, that ’tis better to be represented than describ’d; I therefore made this Draft of it, while my Countryman Adrian van Bierbeck rested himself on the Bench that is on the left Hand, and some of our Company were already got up with their Lights into the Chamber where the Tomb or Sepulchre is, which gave me opportunity to take a view of all the Roof more at large.’

But to return to Mr. Greaves’s Account, he says, That after having pass’d this Gallery, they enter’d another square Hole of the same Dimension with the former, |Two Anti-Closets.| which brought them into two Anti-Closets lin’d with a rich and speckl’d sort of Thebaic Marble. The first of these had almost the same Dimensions as the second. The second was thus proportion’d: The Area was level, the Figure of it oblong, the one side containing seven Foot, the other three and a half, and the height was of 10 Foot. This inner Anti-Closet was separated from the former by a Stone of red speckl’d Marble, which hung in two Mortices (like the Leaf of a Sluce) between two Walls, more than three Foot above the Pavement, and wanting only two of the Roof. Out of this Closet they enter’d another square Hole of the same wideness and Dimensions with the rest, and near nine Foot long, all of Thebaic Marble most exquisitely wrought, which landed them at the North end of a very sumptuous Room. The distance from the end of the second Gallery to this Entry is 24 Foot. |A spacious Chamber| This rich and spacious Chamber, in which Art may seem to have contended with Nature, the curious Workmanship being not inferiour to the rich Materials, lies about the Center of the Pyramid. The Floor, Roof and Sides of it are all compos’d of vast Tables of Thebaic Marble, very gracefully siz’d and plac’d. The nine Stones which cover the Roof are of a prodigious length, like so many huge Beams traversing the Room, and supporting the prodigious mass of the Pyramid above: The length of this Chamber is about 34 Foot, the breadth 17, the height 19 and a half. |wherein stands Cheops’s Tomb.| Within this glorious Room stands the Monument of Cheops or Chemmis, of one piece of Marble, hollow within, uncover’d at the top, and sounding like a Bell, without any Sculpture or Embossment. But ’tis the common Opinion, after Diodorus Siculus, that neither Chemmis nor his Successor Cephren were bury’d in their Pyramids, because, says he, the People being over work’d by them with hard Labour, threatned to tear their dead Bodies to pieces, and throw them out of these Sepulchres, therefore they on their Death-Beds commanded their Servants to bury them in some obscure Place, Diod. Lib. 1. This Monument is of the same Thebaic Marble with the whole Room, being speckl’d with black, white and red Spots, and resembling two Cubes finely set together, and hollow’d within. ’Tis seven Foot three Inches and half long, in breadth and depth three Foot three Inches and three quarters on the out-side, but within ’tis something less, which shows that the Men of this Age are of the same Stature with those that liv’d near 3000 Years ago, tho’ some famous Men have thought the contrary. If any ask how this Monument could be convey’d into this Chamber, since ’tis impossible for it to enter by those narrow Passages in the Pyramid which lead to it, I answer, It must have been rais’d and convey’d up from without by some Engine, before the Chamber was finish’d and the Roof clos’d: Thus far Greaves. Sandys, p. 99. says, This Pyramid which is the greatest of the three, |How many Workmen employ’d in the Building it.| and chief of the Worlds VII Wonders, employ’d 366000 Workmen continually in building it for the space of 20 Years, in which Time they consum’d in Radishes, Garlick and Onions only, 1800 Talents. Nor has Time, which devours the proudest Structures, humbl’d this lofty Edifice, tho’ ’tis very probably conjectur’d to have stood 3300 Years, and is now rather old than ruinous, yet the North side is most worn by reason of the humidity of the Northern Winds, which are here the moistest.

The second Pyramid is hardly distant the flight of an Arrow from the first, and is all built of Stones of a whitish colour, nothing so large as those of the first. The sides rise not by Degrees or Steps like those of the former, but are smooth and equal, and the whole Fabrick seems very entire, except on the South-side. Tho’ this Pyramid is generally thought to be inferiour to the first in Magnitude, yet by Mr. Greaves’s Observation, the height and sides of the Basis are in both equal. There is no Entrance into it, and therefore none can tell what Chambers it contains; ’tis bounded on the North and West by two very stately and elaborate Structures, being 30 Foot deep, and more than 1400 long, cut out of the hard Rock, and squar’d by a Chizzel, |Lodgings of the Priests.| which are suppos’d to be the Lodgings of the Priests. They run along at a convenient distance, parallel to the two sides of this Pyramid, and meet in a right Angle. The Entrance into them is by square Openings, hewn out of the Rock, and much of the same bigness with those of the first Pyramid. The hollow space within is somewhat like a square and well proportion’d Chamber, cover’d and arch’d above with the natural Rock: In most of these there was a Passage opening into some other Apartment.

The third Pyramid is from the second about a Furlong, and tho’ it appears at a distance to be of an equal height with the two former, by reason of the advantage of its Scituation upon a higher rise of the Hill, yet is it really much lower, each side of the Basis being but 300 Foot long, which wants near 400 of the two others. All the antient and modern Writers generally agree, this Pyramid was made of black Ethiopic Marble, whereas Mr. Greaves assures us, on his own Inspection, the whole Mass seems of a clear and white Stone, somewhat choicer and brighter than that in either of the two other Pyramids; but what the Stone within may be no Body can tell, since there never was any Entrance into it. At some distance South-East of the biggest Pyramid stands the Sphinx, so famous among the Ancients: |The Sphinx.| ’Tis a Statue or Image cut out of the main Rock, representing the Head of a Woman with half her Breast, but is at present sunk or bury’d in the Sand to the very Neck: It is an extraordinary great Mass, but withal proportionable, altho’ the Head of it self be 26 Foot high, and from the Ear to the Chin 15 Foot, according to the Measure the Sieur Thevenot took of it. At a distance it seems five Stones joyn’d together, but coming nearer one may discover what was taken for the Joynings of the Stones, was properly nothing but the Veins in the Rock. Pliny says, this serv’d for a Tomb to King Amasis, which is not improbable, since it is in a Part which was formerly a kind of Burying-Place, and near the Pyramids and Caves, which were nothing but Places of Sepulture; and that according to his Calculation it was 102 Foot in compass about the Head, 62 high and 143 in length, for the Body of it is suppos’d to resemble a Lion or Dog. Some will have it a certain Egyptian King caus’d this Sphinx to be made in Memory of Rhodope of Corinth, with whom he was passionately in Love. They say, among other Things, that when they consulted it at the rising of the Sun, it answer’d like an Oracle; yet most believe this was done by the cunning of the Priests, thro’ means of some hidden Pipes or Conduits under Ground, and that the Well we describ’d in the great Pyramid was made use of for the same purpose; but what makes this appear to be fabulous is, that there is no perforation or opening either at the Mouth, Nose, Eyes or Ears. Many other the like Stories Authors have rais’d of this Statue, affirming that by the Figure of a Sphinx, was represented the Goddess Momphta, |It represented Momphta.| who presided over all the Waters, and chiefly preserv’d and supply’d the Causes of the Over-flowing of the River Nile; as also that thereby was signify’d the State or Condition of that River, for as the Over-flowing of the Nile continues all the Summer, and during the Time of Harvest, viz. in the Months of July and August, and that in those two Months, the Sun commonly runs thro’ the two Signs of Leo and Virgo, it was natural enough for the Egyptians, who had a great inclination for Hieroglyphics and misterious Representations, to make a Monster of a Virgin and Lion, which they call’d Sphinx, and consecrated to the River Nile; the representing of which lying on its Belly, was to explain the Over-flowing of that River.

But to return again to the Pyramids, near which this Sphinx stands, |Observations on the Pyramids.| we shall add these few Observations of Father Vansleb concerning them, viz. That they are not built with Marble, but with a white sandy Stone exceeding hard; that none of them are perfectly square, but have all two sides longer than the others, which is plainly visible in the greater and the lesser Pyramid: The North side is longer than that which stretches from East to West, yet are they nevertheless built in very good Order, and each of the three largest stand at the head of 10 lesser, which are not well to be distinguish’d, by reason of heaps of Sand that lye before them. They have all an Entrance that leads to a low Alley, which is exceeding long, and has at the end a Chamber, where the antient Egyptians plac’d the Bodies of those Persons for whom the Pyramid was design’d, tho’ this Entrance is not to be seen in every one of them, because the Wind has stopp’d it up with Sand. On the top of the largest Pyramid was antiently a Statue or Colossus: This appears in that it is not so sharp as the others, but rather plain, and there are yet to be seen great Holes, which were to keep the Colossus from falling; but at present there is nothing to be seen at top but many Letters of the Names of Persons of all Nations, who had left them to witness they had been there. Lastly, He makes no question but that this Place where the Pyramids are built, was the Burying-Place of the old City of Memphis, by reason all the Arabian Histories inform us that this City stood where the Pyramids now are, over against old Cairo. He also imagines the Sphinx to be a Tomb, First, From its scituation in a Place which was in former Ages a Burying-Place, and near the Pyramids and mortuary Caves. Secondly, That it appears to be a Sepulchre from its Building; for in the hinder part is a Cave under Ground, of a bigness answerable to that of the head, into which he look’d by an Entrance that led into it, so that it could serve to no other purpose than to keep a dead Corps.

From the Pyramids, Vansleb went to take a View of the Caves that are adjoyning, which formerly serv’d for Places to bury the Dead in: Of these there are several hollow’d or cut in the side of a Rock, in bad Order and without Symmetry on the out-side, but very even and well proportion’d within: All of them have a square Well cut likewise out of the Rock, in which the Egyptians laid the Bodies of those for whom the Cave had been made, it serving them for a Tomb. The Walls of some of these are full of Hieroglyphic Figures, cut also in the Rock; in some they are but small, in others very lively. In one, says he, I counted 16 great Figures, eight Men and as many Women, holding each other by the Hand, with some other small Figures on each side.

But to speak more particularly of the Subterranean Caves, near the Borough of Sacara in Egypt, we shall observe, that among the most remarkable Things that were found, as well in the City of Memphis, as some Miles round about it, the Caves or Tombs under Ground were the most considerable, and worthy the search of the Curious. It is on these Subterranean Caves that this City and several Places thereabouts were built, as on so many Vaults, as the Ancients have written, and those Caves do by far surpass the Catacombs of Rome both in Grandeur and Beauty; for the antient Egyptians, who maintain’d the Metempsychosis or Transmigration of Souls from one Body to another, took care not only to preserve their Dead from Putrifaction, but also endeavour’d to lay them up in a secure and quiet Place of Burial: That they might therefore take all manner of precaution against any alteration that might happen to them from the Injuries of Air, Fire, or the length of Time, they did not place their Dead in Places where the River Nile might overflow, nor in the open Fields, but either in Pyramids of a more durable continuance, or in Subterranean Vaults built with great care of Stones, or lastly, in Caves cut out of the Rock it self, for which the Region of Memphis and Places adjoyning were very proper, because they consist of a Rock, which is hid under the thickness of about a Foot and half of Sand. |Their Burying-Places.| Their Burying-Places then were Subterranean Caves divided into several Apartments, roof’d like great Halls, and with so many Windings, which went from one to the other, that they resembl’d real Labyrinths or Meanders. According to the report of the antient Egyptians, there was such a vast number of those Subterranean Apartments which butted one against another, that they extended some Miles in length, even to the Temple of Jupiter Ammon, and the Oracle of Serapis, which was a great conveniency to the Priests, who might hold a Correspondence with each other without being scorch’d by the heat of the Sun, or incommoded by the Sands; so that all those vast sandy Plains of Egypt were hollow underneath, and divided into numberless Apartments and Places for dead Corps. This seems surprizing and almost incredible, but they that will consider the other prodigious Works of the Egyptians, and make some Reflections on what the antient Historians have wrote of the great and most antient City of Memphis, and the almost infinite number of that People, will not find this so impossible; besides what the Arabian Authors say, that there was formerly a Subterranean Communication between this City of Memphis and that of Heliopolis, being several Miles assunder, and which pass’d also under the Bed of the River Nile. The greatest part of the Inhabitants of the Borough of Sacara, |How those of Sacara get their Livelyhoods.| which is nearest those Caves of the Mummies or Embalm’d Bodies, and three good Hours Journey from the Pyramids, get their Livelyhoods by digging into those Caves, and taking out the Mummies, because their Tillage is not able to maintain them by reason of the sterrility of the Soil, wherefore whoever has occasion for their Service, may easily hire them for Money, to conduct them into Caves that are already open, to see them, or to dig for new ones in the Sand, which have not hitherto been remov’d, for some of these Caves have not yet been discover’d, being hid in such manner under the Sand, that there is no Stranger, nor hardly any Inhabitant of the Country, that can be certain before-hand where any Mummy may be found: Besides, the Europeans have from Time to Time caus’d so many to be open’d, that they are become exceeding scarce.

They enter these Caves by an opening at top even with the Ground, into which they are let down, as into a Well, by means of a Rope and the assistance of a Servant with a Light in their Hands, tho’ in some few they can climb up and down, by setting their Feet in certain gaps in the Wall, as appears by the Plate at p. 203. Letter E. This Well or Descent into these Caves is about 16 or 18 Foot deep, and at bottom, the Passage of it is so low, they are forc’d to stoop and creep thro’, where they arrive in a four-square Chamber or Repository, |The Chamber.| 24 Foot every way, on each side of which, next the Wall, stand Bases or Tables cut out of the Rock, about five Foot long, two and a half broad, and one high, whereon are plac’d the dead Bodies, Embalm’d and adorn’d after the manner before describ’d, and put into Coffins of Wood or Stone, carv’d after their own similitude. Many times, besides the number of Coffins just mention’d, there lye round about upon the Floor several other little ones, which seem to be the Coffins of Children. Sometimes there are abundance of these Caves near each other, as you may imagine by the Plate before-mention’d; but that you may have a more clear Idea of all that is here describ’d, I have added another, the Description of which is as follows: |Description of the Ichnography and Scenography of these Caves.| A. A. A. A. shows the Ichnography of a Burying-Place, wherein are nine Chambers or Apartments all of an equal bigness, mark’d with the Letters, B. B. B. Each of these has four Bases whereon the Coffins are set, as appears by the Figures 1. 2. 3. 4. The Walls or Partitions are represented by the Letters C. C. C. but these are all more exactly seen in the Scenography, in which D. and E. shows two Caves with their Walls turn’d over with Arches. Adjoyning to the Walls lye four Bases in each Cave, whereon the Coffins are set, mark’d by the Letters F. G. H. I. K. L. &c. At the Head of the Coffin, stands a Figure like a Boy in Swadling-Clouts, and at the Feet a Hawk, being their Tutelar Gods, by whose Presence and Assistance they thought the Bodies would be defended from all kinds of Violence, and over these, against the Wall, were cut in an oval form Hieroglyphics, mark’d M. N. O. P.

This may suffice for a general Description of these Caves, |Observations on the Subterranean Caves.| yet it may not be amiss to add a few Observations made by Father Vansleb on this Subject: He tells us he went on purpose to see these Caves, and gives us every particular Instance that happen’d to him; but this we must also take notice of, that Le Bruyn attributes the very same Remarks to one Milton an English Man, and he that pleases to give himself the trouble to read both, will find them much of a piece. They are as follows: After having said that first an Agreement must be made with the Arabians of the Borough of Sacara, about the number and quality of Wells one would have open’d, as also what was to be given them for their Trouble, and that for better security 12 Arabian Horsemen ought to be brought along with one; he adds, That the first Well he went to see was that of Embalm’d Birds, |Wells of Embalm’d Birds.| and that having caus’d the Sand that cover’d the Mouth of the Well to be remov’d, thro’ which he was to go down, and from thence to enter into the Cave, he caus’d himself and his Companions to be let down one after another, by tying a double Rope about their Middles. So soon as they were at the bottom, and that every one had lighted his Flambeau, and several Matches they had brought along with them, they crept on their Bellies into a Cave, which was an Entry cut thro’ the Rock about a Man’s height, a Fathom wide, and extraordinary long. On each side they found other Entries, cut also into the Rock, where were several Chambers full of a great number of Earthen-Pots, with Covers of the same. In these were contain’d Embalm’d Birds of all kinds, every Bird having a Pot to it self. They found there also several Hen-Eggs whole, but which were empty, and consequently had no ill Smell.

Having sufficiently view’d this Cave, they were drawn up again in like manner as they were let down. Then having commanded their Arabians to open a Virgin-Well |A Virgin-Well.| (for so such are call’d as have never been open’d) they were immediately let down into it, in the same manner as before describ’d; but being come to the bottom, they found such a horrid Stench, and so close an Air, that they were not only not able to breath, but it also put out their Flambeaus, as likewise their Matches every time they endeavour’d to light them, so that they were thereupon forc’d to cause themselves to be drawn up again with all speed, without having been able to advance one step. Our Author says, that all he could say of this Well was, That it was much deeper than the former.

After this he caus’d another Cave to be open’d, which was not a Virgin-Well as the former. Being let down into it he found there two Mummies, one greater and the other lesser of a Child, both in Coffins: The biggest was of Marble, cut after the likeness of him for whom it was made. He caus’d them to be open’d but found nothing extraordinary in them, therefore took no Account of them, but left them where he found them.

He went down next into a Cave call’d the Church, which, he says, was the shallowest of all he had seen, it being nothing but a long Entry under Ground, well Plaister’d and Painted every-where with Hierogliphics. He tells us there was so great a quantity of Sand in this Cave, that he and his Company were forc’d to creep along on their Knees; for as soon as any one has seen these Wells, the Arabians are wont to fill them up again with Sand, if the Wind does not do it for them, that they may get more Money by them another Time; for this is the greatest Livelihood these miserable Creatures have, and the least they take for opening a Virgin-Well is 30 ^[6]Piasters. The reason of this high Price is, that those which cause them to be open’d, have the liberty to carry away all the Curiosities and Mummies they find there.

Now to give a perfect Idea of this Plain of Mummies, the antient Burying-Place of the Egyptians, you must represent to your self a vast and boundless Champion Country, cover’d all over with Sand, where there are neither Trees, Plants, Grass, Houses, nor any thing like them to be seen, but the whole Surface is strew’d with dry Bones of Arms, Legs, Feet, Heads, old Linnen Rags, broken Tombs or Coffins, and a great many little Idols, some of Wood, and others of Earth glaz’d with a green colour, and mark’d before and behind with Hieroglyphics: In some places you may see great Tomb-Stones, engrav’d with Cyphers and Ænigmatical Figures, that represent something of Chymistry and other Sciences and Mysteries of the antient Egyptians, as also some strange Characters that are no Hieroglyphics. These are the remains of their Pride and Vanity, as likewise sad Proofs that all Men are subject to Death: This causes Horrour to those that come first into the Plain, and if one considers attentively the number of Bones wherewith it is strew’d, one would be apt to think that Place had formerly been a Field of Battel. So much for the Pyramids and Subterranean Caves, now there only remains to speak of the Sepulchral Lamps, which some assert to have burnt perpetually, and have therefore been the Subject of much Discourse among the Virtuosi of all Ages.

Clemens Alexandrinus, Appian, Burattinus, Hermolaus Barbarus, Costæus, Citesius, Cælius, Casalius, Cedrenus, Delrius, Ericius, Foxius, Gesnerus, Jacobonus, Leander, Libavius, Lazius, Langius, Licetus, Maiolus, Maturantius, Baptista Porta, Pancirollus, Ruscellius, Scardeonius, Tassonius, Ludovicus Vives, Volateranus and many other learned and ingenious Authors, who have written of these Sepulchral Lamps, do most of them believe and strenuously assert, that they burn’d for several Hundreds of Years, and would have so continu’d, perhaps for ever, had they not been broken by the unadvis’d Irruptions of Rustics and Husbandmen, by diging up the Ground, or otherwise extinguish’d by the like Accidents. ’Tis true, there are not many that affirm that they themselves saw any of these Lamps burning, but then they give you abundance of Instances of such as did, and where they were found, which being too many to be inserted here, we shall only mention a few, after having inquir’d to what End and Purpose they were invented and made use of; of what Matter and Fashion they were compos’d, and whether it were possible for any of them, when once lighted, to burn perpetually without any addition or supply of fresh Aliment.