TAA i.2.3.53

(Nov. 4^th Continued)

a sort of bed with lions heads and feet <standing upon the floor of the Sarcophagus> - upon which
the nest of Coffins rested.

The astonishing fact about this bier, is that it appears
to be in perfect condition, even though it has supported the
enormous weight of the nesting three Coffins - as much as
fifteen strong men could lift <(x)> - for over thirty centuries.
I passed stout broad webbing under it - one piece at
the head, another at the foot-end - preparatory to raising
it tomorrow.

(x Rather more than a ton.)

5^th

The last stage in raising the coffins was completed
early this morning, and that was the removal of the
gilt-wood bier which stood on the floor of the Sarcophagus,
upon which the First Outermost Coffin rested.

It proved to be made of stout wood, covered with gesso
and gilt with a fine gold foil, standing standing^sic about
9 inches from the ground. It is curved <so as> to receive the and
both fit the bottom of the coffin, has at the head end
lion's heads, at the foot small lion's tails, & four feet
of lion type. The centre part of the bed within the frame
work is ornamented to represent a corded mesh.

Though a little bent, the joints are only just visible,
which is witness of the quality of timber used and its
good joinery when one remembers that it has supported
for over thirty centuries more than a ton in weight.

Everything is now ready for the Examination of the
Royal mummy, which I trust will occur early
next week.

Beneath the bier-like bed-like bier, were a number
of wood chips, bearing gold-work upon gesso, that had been
hacked off by a very sharp instrument like an adze.