Vol.13.p.258

Diary Transcription:

microfilm: begin page 258

Monday, February 23, 1925 (continued)

(2) G 7000 X (continued) - "Antechamber" or "porch"

In the [rock surface // GAR] [on the northern edge of the pit // GAR] there is a groove about 60 x 30 cm. [and about 8 cm deep // GAR]; and there are traces of similar grooves on the southern and western sides. These must have been for the fixing of beams to aid in lowering heavy weights into the tomb. It is to be noted that the staircase is too narrow for any sarcophagus to be passed along it. The size of the pit is about 240 x 160 cm [which is large enough to take a sarcophagus lowered on end, see note on Pit G 7120 A, Diary December 15, 1924, No. (1). // GAR
[(N. B. Corrections by GAR in brackets [] )]
The photographs of this upper "course" of natural boulders having been approved the cement [= plaster // GAR] was attacked with picks shortly before noon. It was found to be almost as hard as the limestone boulders themselves and very clean and white.
Work continued all the afternoon in breaking up these boulders.
It should, relative to the dating of this site, be noted that it is very nearly on the west-east axis of the Great Pyramid and that although the direct route down would have been easier for the causeway of the Pyramid it swerved away at a sharp angle, in order it seems to avoid a monument already "in situ." [Later it was clear that the angle which the causeway takes may have been due to the large quarry east of G 7000 X, so that the above argument is not conclusive. Or the line which the causeway takes may have been determined by the character of the rock surface lower down the slope. // GAR]
The government was informed this morning of the further progress made in the tomb and the carbon copy of this journal to [end of February 22, 1925 // GAR] was forwarded.

Tuesday, February 24, 1925
104th day of work

This being the camp holiday work was confined to the complete breaking up of the remainder of the boulders over the pit of G 7000 X.

Wednesday, February 25, 1925
105th day of work

Quftis: 85
Locals: 96
[total]: 181

Cars emptied:
Line VI 6:40 am - 8:00 am:. 50, 8:30 am - noon: 165, 1:00 pm - 5:15 pm: 190
[total] 405

work on:
(1) Street G 7500
(2) G 7510
(3) G 7000 X

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