Page 146 - اثار مصر الفرعونية2

ancient Egypt, as they are likewise known to occur in modern
times.

The oldest of the two entrances into the subterranean depths
of Khafre's pyramid is now located in the ground about thirty
meters north of the pyramid. Carved completely out of the rock
subsoil, it is sometimes called the "lower entrance". This portal
communicates with a corridor that at first descends before
running horizontally. In this horizontal leg of the corridor, a
passage gives way on the west wall to a small chamber cut from
the bedrock and provided with a pented roof, where part of the
burial equipment was possibly stored. After the horizontal
section of the entrance corridor, it finally ascends into a
horizontal corridor shared by the "upper entrance". -

The second portal, known as the "upper entrance", is located
in the north wall of the pyramid's face about twelve meters above
ground level. It communicates with a corridor lined in pink
granite that first descends before running horizontally at the base
of the pyramid. At the transitional point between its descending
and horizontal sections, there is a barrier made of pink granite,
which in antiquity, grave robbers managed to dig around. The
horizontal passage continues south after the barrier, eventually
arriving at the burial chamber, which lies on the vertical axis of
the pyramid. Given the location and relatively simple
construction of the access corridor and the burial chamber, it is

046