Ancient Egypt
Elements of its Cultural History

  by Sjef Willockx

  
 


The platform, 1

Here, we have a good look on the platform from above. (If you ever want to make this picture: watch your step...) As you can see, the layout is not entirely symmetrical. To the left (= north) the platform is a bit wider
In the center of the platform are the remains of the mysterious "mound", of now indeterminable shape. It may have been (a podium for) a pyramid, a mastaba or a dome-like structure. The only thing that seems certain is, that it was massive. On the left-hand (= north western) corner, part of the outer rim of the mound has been recovered or reconstructed.
Around the "mastaba" are the bases and stumps of columned halls. On the far left, the remains of an outer wall around the halls can still be seen. The back (= towards the west) leads to the actual tomb (with a descending trench). On the south west corner of the platform, you can see neat rows of stones: debris that has been arranged there by modern excavators.

 

When Mentuhotep decided to build here, he could freely pick a spot on a still empty terrain. It is not surprising that he chose this location, where a natural gully cuts deep into the mountain side.
More to the forefront and to the right are the remains of a temple build here later by Tutmosis III, on a rocky outcrop between "M" and "H". It was only discovered as late as 1962, by a Polish expedition. The Luxor museum now holds some fine pieces of relief from this temple, with surprisingly well preserved colors.
More to the left are the outer reaches of the third and highest terrace of "H".

On either side of the ramp was a pillared gallery. The left (south) and right (north) sides of the platform were "barren": plain, undecorated walls.
(This shot was taken from the first ramp of "H".)
 

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