TAA i.3.23.41

THE FOUR SEPULCHRAL SHRINES.

IIa ->

          The layout of these sepulchral sh<r>ines and pall for

the burial of a Pharaoh is revealed in an ancient Egyptian

papyrus – A Project for the Tomb of Ramesses IVth. – now

in the Turin Museum (See J.E.A., vol. iv, pl. xxix). Their

arrangement in this tomb is shown in the plan of the Sarco-

phagus Chamber (Plate ..).

          The four shrines, nested one within the other, and com-

pletely shielding the sarcophagus, are made of cedar <and plan bush[?]>, oak, 

and Christ’s Thorn wood. The planking varies from <9 to 25 cents. wide and 7 in[?]> 3 to 12

centimetres in thickness, the panel boards from 5.5 to 7.5

centimetres thick, in accordance with the size of the shrine.

          Their outer and inner surfaces are entirely coated with

gesso (i.e. whiting and glue) <(1)>, and overlaid with a thin

xxx[?]/<layer> of gold laid on as gold leaf; upon which surfaces

religious representations and texts have been beautifully 

engraved in <both> incised and bas relief. In addition to this

decoration, the outermost shrine has its external panels

and doors inlaid with blue faience (glazed pottery). 

          In most cases the gold overlay is evidently of a very

good quality, for it still retains its yellow brilliance

and doubtless it corresponds to the “fine gold” referred

to in the ancient Egyptian records. However, in patches,

or sometimes over a whole surface, it is varied in colour,

its hue changing from a dull yellow to dark red or a dull

purple plum colour. These changes of colour are manifestly

fortuitous, and are due to chemical changes (tarnishing)

that had taken place during the time the shrines had been

in the tomb. The tarnished gold undoubtedly contains pro-

portions of other metals, such as silver, copper, and traces

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(1) See Lucas, vol. II; p. 172