building are three, the principal one to the north, and the others to
the east and west. The inside walls (beginning at half their height
from the ground) are decorated with hieroglyphics sculptured in
relief, but the figures seem not to have been sufficiently engraved
in alt, or salient, to resist the ravages of time and weather; and in
some, places they:are wholly mouldered and defaced, and especially
on the ceiling.
.On different parts of the wall appear marks of paint, and the
colour seems to have been green. I could no where discover traces
of the edifice having in any part been lined or inlaid With a finer
stone or material., A few paces from the chief entrance, I observed
two round stones, of about three feet diameter, each indented, as if
to receive the base of some statue or other ornament. The general
material of which the building is constructed, is a lime-stone, containing
petrifactions of shells and small marine animals; and such
stone is to be found and dug up in the vicinity.
Gn examining the country around these ruins, I found the soil
contiguous to the foundations of the outward wall on the south to
be marshy, and was informed that it contained salt springs. I asked
if no considerable spring of fresh water Was to .be seen near; and
was shewn a fine rivulet of sweet water, about half a mile from the
ruins, which takes its rise in a grove of date trees, and in a most
romantic and beautiful situation: it i:s not, however, its delightful
scene that recommends it to the native of Siwah, but an opinion
that it is a specific against certain diseases.:,;
. I am conscious that the above description of the remains of antiquity
near Siwah, is. by far too cursory and incomplete, .’for any
purpose of just and accurate inference; and that it must yet remain
a mere conjecture, whether these ruins are those of the famous
Temple of Jupiter Ammon. It must be obvious, from many points
I have adverted to in my description, that I had the site of this renowned
temple in view, and that it was a principal object of my
research. Circumstances 1 was under, and of which the reader is
already apprised, prevented my pursuing this great subject of just
and learned curiosity with the nicety of inspection, and care in the
consideration, which I could have wished to employ. Supposing, on
reference to ancient writers, the comparison o f the buildings not
to bear me out in the idea which I entertain; yet on many other
grounds I should contend, that Siwah had been a residence of
the ancient Ammonites. 1 draw my conclusion from the relative
situation of the country ; from the qu alit yof the soil, from its
fertility; from the information of its inhabitants, that no other such
fruitful tract is to be found any where near; and, in addition to
the certainty, at least, that some great and magnificent building
once here stood, I derive a further conclusion from the numerous
catacombs to be found in the vicinity, and which I shall have occasion
more particularly to notice. In regard to the memorable
Temple of Ammon, should even my own description of the existing
vestiges of building not accurately agree with general accounts of^
that edifice; yet, notwithstanding, I must continue to hold an opinion,
from the general appearance and from the situation of those
ruins, that they may be remains of the Temple of Jupiter Ammon.
A delineation and decipher of the hieroglyphic .figures, which adorn
the inner walls of the building, might be -conclusive on this
question.
I will further add on this subject, that on inquiry after Edrisi’s
Santricb, no one knew it even by name; but I was. told that at a
■distance of seven days journey from Siwah, six from Faiume, and
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