Page:A History of Art in Ancient Egypt Vol 1.djvu/297

 The Tomb under the Ancient Empire. !07 found in the great pyramid of Sakkarah, the Stepped Pyramid, which was considered by Mariette as the oldest of them all. Taking a passage from Manetho as his authority, he thought himself justified in attributing it to the fourth king of the first dynasty, Ouenephes or Ata, and he was inclined to see in it the Fig. 133. — The southern pyramid of Dashour ; from the measurements of Perring. Serapeum, or Apis tomb, of the Ancient Empire. Its present elevation is about 190 feet. Each of its sides is divided hori- zontally into six large steps with inclined faces. The height of these steps decreases progressively, from the base to the summit, I- !i-'- Fig. 134. — Section of the Stepped Pyramid ; from Perring. from 38 feet 2 inches to 29 feet 6 inches. The width of each step is nearly 7 feet. It will be seen, therefore, that this building rather tends to the pyramidal form than achieves it ; it is a rough sketch for a pyramid. Does this want of completion result from accidental causes,