TAA i.2.2.39

Feb. 3^rd

This morning Carter removed sides from the

fourth shrine & left disclosed the stone sarcophagus.

R./<R> Lid was naos shape inset. Sarcophagus

proper consisted of -

(a) Cavetto cornice

(b) Torus moulding

(c) Frieze band of incised inscription

(d) Panel of the goddesses

(d/<e>) Dado of 'dads' & 'thets'.

(e/<f>) Painted band to imitate the bronze bottoms

of the Shrines.

At the four corners there were the figures of the

four protective goddesses, carved in high relief, with

details - eyes, - jewellery etc. - picked out in colour:

Isis & Nephthys at head (west) and, Neith & Selk

at foot. The figures supported the coffin, reaching

with their arms as far as they could stretch,

& with wings outspread, crossing at ends, meeting

on sides. Shorter inscriptions (invocations of deities)

on ends and sides. On <each> sides, at south/<west> end, a

single uzat eye incised.

The four corners rested on thin blocks of alabaster.

On S. side, in middle, there was a large painted

wooden 'dad', its base projecting under the sarcophagus.

<Sarcophagus painted with a wash of red (?)>

Lid not of sandstone, but of granite. This had

been broken in two, the crack being filled up with

plaster. At west end a winged disk, part

relief, part incised. A[l]so three vertical lines

of incised inscription, down centre and at sides.

The hieroglyphs in the inscriptions, of body at any

rate were filled in with colour.

The lid yet another instance of the haste and

carelessness with which the work in the tomb was

carried out. Probably the original lid was

broken in the manufacture, or in transit, and

there was no time to procure another suitable

block of stone.

The goddess figures are striking enough, but of

course are not to be compared with the free-

standing wooden figures in the inner store-chamber.