G Maspero

Egyptian Archaeology G Maspero

Publisher Marketing: Archeologists, when visiting Egypt, have so concentrated their attention upon temples and tombs, that not one has devoted himself to a careful examination of the existing remains of private dwellings and military buildings. Few countries, nevertheless, have preserved so many relics of their ancient civil architecture. Setting aside towns of Roman or Byzantine date, . Such as are found almost intact at Koft (Coptos), at Kom Ombo, and at EI-Agandeeyeh, one-half at least of ancient Thebes still exists on the east and south of Karnak. The site of Memphis is covered with mounds, some of which are from fifty to sixty feet in height, each containing a core of houses in good preservation. At Tell-el-Maskhutah, the granaries of Pithom are yet standing; and at San (Tanis) and Tell Basta (Bubastis), the Ptolemaic and Sallie cities contain quarters of which a plan might yet be made . I here refer to none save well-known places; but in many localities which escape the traveller's notice, there may be seen ruins of private dwellings which date back to the age of the Ramessides, or to perhaps a still earlier period. As regards fortresses, there are two in the town of Abydos alone, one of which is at least contemporary with the Sixth Dynasty; while the ramparts of EI Kab, of Kom-elAhmar, of EI-Hibeh, and of Dakkeh, as well as part of the fortifications of Thebes, are still standing, and await the architect who shall deign to make them an object of serious study