CHAP. XVI. ROOMS OVER THE SEPULCHRE. 397 



of witnesses required for the smallest contracts.* 

 And, judging from the minute repetition of ex- 

 pressions, and the precision with which tlie accept- 

 ance of the price was acknowledged, we may 

 conclude that they were as ready to take advantage 

 of the least flaw in a deed as any people of the 

 present day. 



Besides the upper rooms of the tomb, which 

 were ornamented with the paintings already men- 

 tioned, were one or more pits, varying from 20 to 

 70 feet in depth ; at the bottom or sides t of which 

 were recesses, like small chambers, for depositing 

 the coflins. The pit was closed with masonry after 

 the burial had been performed, and sometimes re- 

 opened to receive other members of the family. 

 The upper apartments were richly ornamented with 

 painted sculptures, being rather a monument in ho- 

 nour of the deceased than the actual sepulchre ; 

 and they served for the reception of his friends, 

 who frequently met there, and accompanied the 

 priests when performing the services for the dead. 

 Each tomb, and sometimes each apartment, had a 

 wooden door, either of a single or double valve, 

 turning on pins, and secured by bolts or bars, with 

 a lock ; which last was protected by a seal of clay, 

 upon which the impress of a signet was stamped 

 when the party retired, as Herodotus describes at 

 the treasury of Rhampsinitus.t Remains of the 



* Vide Vol. II. p. 53. 56. 



t Conf, "Whose tombs are in the side of the pit ;" and the common 

 expression in the Bible, " They that go down to the pit," meaning those 

 that die. Ezek. xxxii. 29. &c. 



t Vide Vol II. p. 111. 



