TAA i.3.23.31

extricating those sections we had to employ a similar but 

reversed method.

          Each member or section had been carefully marked 

with joiner’s “guide” marks as well as with the cardinal points. 

to show their correct orientation. These marks were either 

scratched or painted in black upon the overlay of gold, 

to show not only how they fitted together but also their 

correct orientation. However, the sections were evidently 

introduced contrary to the instructions marked upon them, 

and they were erected over the sarcophagus in exact reverse

orientation – namely, the shrines facing towards the east 

instead of west – with the result their west fronts were 

at the foot of the sarcophagus instead of at the head. 

Whether this was due to carelessness on the part of the work-

men who erected them, or whether it was due to some 

other specific reason, is difficult to say. But since symbols 

engraved upon the walls of the shrines, for example the

[ 𓂀 ] ‘wd3t’-eyes, were not in correct position, and thus they 

did not agree in situation with those carved upon the sarcoph-

agus, one suspects that the error lay with the workmen 

when introducing the sections: an error possibly discovered 

when it was too late to correct it. There was, however, testimony 

of direct carelessness: a roof section was put on the wrong 

way round (see first shrine, p. ...); sections had been banged 

together regardless of risk of damage to their gilded ornamentation;