Page 161 - اثار مصر الفرعونية2
P. 161
temple's west side. Reisner believes that the temple was rebuilt,
at least roughly, during the reign of Pepi II.
More recently, an Egyptian archaeologist, Selim Hassan.
while excavating the nearby tomb complex of queen Khentkaues
I, discovered a small brick structure with a platform, low benches
and a small drainage canal, together with a basin at the northeast
corner of Menkaure's valley temple. Stored there were a large
number of flint blades and stone vessels. Some Egyptologists
believe that this structure was used for a "purification ten" and
was only a part of a larger structure where the mummification
ritual took place.
Another modification of the valley temple was a brick
structure built in front of the temple's west wall. It may have
provided a widened portal, giving better access between the
temple and the pyramid town.
The Causeway
The causeway of this pyramid complex leading from the
Valley temple to the Mortuary Temple was most likely
completed by Shepseskaf. It had floors made of limestone blocks
and highly compressed clay mixed with limestone fragments.
The mudbrick walls that were a little more than two meters thick
supported a roof. Reisner believed that the roof was made of
wooden beams and mats because he found the remains of such
060