128 ANCIENT EGYPT. 



was to be accomplished is shown by a deep groove cut along 

 the rock face, in which are a series of holes for the reception 

 of wedges. Place the wedges in position and fill the groove up 

 with water, the swelling of the wedges all along the line 

 simultaneously, so to speak, would soon split the rock and 

 free the rough pillar from its native granite ready for further 

 manipulation. The same method was adopted by the Romans 

 at Limestone Bank, Northumberland, along the Roman Wall, 

 for breaking huge blocks of whinstone asunder — the wedge 

 holes are still discernible. 



Colossi. 

 Colossi, which are monoliths, and cut from granite, lime- 

 stone, sandstone, and even hard green diorite and pudding 

 stone, usually represent the reigning pharaoh, and formed part 

 of the accessory decoration of a temple. They mount guard 

 at the entrances, ready as it were to confront an enemy. 



The Great Sphinx is hewn in the living rock, with added 

 stonework where necessary for its contour. It is possibly the 

 oldest monument not only in Egypt but in the world, for it 

 was probably standing before the birth of Menes, the first 

 king of the first historic dynasty of United Egypt, modelled 

 during the period covered by the legendary " servants of 

 Hor," and it is possibly a representation of a king of one of 

 those long forgotten dynasties which ruled over a people 

 highly advanced in the paths of civilization, refinement, and 

 science, and with a long and cultured past. An inscription, 

 found by Mariette at Geezeh, shows that the Sphinx was 

 standing in the reign of Cheops, the builder of the great 

 pyramid.* 



The name of the monument in hieroglyphics is Hor-em- 

 Khoo, Hermachis Khefvera Tmu, the rising sun, or Horus on 

 the horizon ; and the Arabs call it the Father of Terror. The 

 head-dress, probably the royal crown of Lower Egypt, that is, 

 assuming that there was no United Egypt before Menes, has 

 disappeared, and so also has the beard, pieces of which are 



* Some doubt has been recently thrown on this stele ; and there are authoritiea 

 dieposed to assign the monument to about the close of the Ancient Empire, 



