438 
EGYPT 
One of the huge blocks of granite measured roughly 12 ft. by 7 ft. by 
5 ft. The size of these blocks is in itself wonderful, but yet more 
wonderful the skill with which the fine joints and smooth surfaces 
have been wrought. The curious shape of many of the blocks adds 
another marvel. On the right-hand side of the diagram (Fig. 15) 
will be seen two “ sets-off ” each of about six inches. Why was this 
done ? Was it to secure a special locking-bond, such as engineers 
use in lighthouse towers ? Or was it to save costly material by the 
expense of cheap labour ? Eemember that those granite blocks had 
been transported by land and water close upon 600 miles. Or lastly, 
was it a mere tour de force ? Similar sets-off may be seen in other 
parts of the building. 
But the Granite Temple has yet another story to tell, to which 
my attention was drawn by Mr. Newton, of Mena. It has suffered 
severely from an earthquake—probably the same as that which so 
seriously damaged the King’s Chamber in the Great Pyramid. An 
examination of the massive granite pillars, and especially the 
lintels (or stone beams) in the light of my Jamaican experience 
convinced me that the shock had come from the north or north-east. 
The crushing at the joints had been confined to the north side. 
The Temple of the Third Pyramid, that of Mykerinos, has been 
excavated recently, and many stone hammers were found as well as 
granite blocks placed in position but in various stages of dressing. 
These give some idea of the immense labour involved in such work. 
Just inside the entrance was found a stone bearing an inscription 
to this effect: “ This is the Temple of the deified King Mykerinos. 
and must not be used as a stone quarry.” 
