THE EGYPTIAN SUDAN The largest of all the pyramids at Nri is the most interesting ; each side of its base measures about one hundred and sixteen feet in length, and the decay of one portion of it shows how it was built. We see from the general appearance of the remains that this pyramid once had three stages, in fact that it was a sort of step-pyramid. One side, the west, bulged, owing either to some subsidence, or to a piece of bad work, or perhaps to the decay of a layer of stones, and a smaller pyramid beneath it stands revealed. Thus it seems clear that the original pyramid structure was quite small, and that it was subsequently increased and heightened simultaneously on all sides. It will be remembered that Dr.

Lepsius believed that the Step Pyramid of Medum was built in this manner, and that he applied his theory to the Pyramids of Giza. His view was that each king began the building of his pyramid as soon as he ascended the throne ; he only designed a small one so as to ensure himself a complete tomb, even were he destined to be but a few years upon the throne. But with the advancing years of his reign, he increased it by successive layers until he died, then the external covering was completed, and the monument of death finally remained proportionate to the duration of the life of the king.' The theory of Lepsius is somewhat similar to that enunciated by Hoskins- in 1835 ; he saw the pyramids of Niiri in 1833, about twelve years before Lepsius visited them, and speaking of the largest of the group he says, " It consisted of three stages. " Part of one having fallen discovers another pyramid underneath.

" They seem to have added this second pyramid around the inner "one, in order to increase its size, or, perhaps, to make the body " underneath doubly difficult to get at. The Egyptian method of " building pyramids with stages was, I think, by first erecting a " pyramid with a very acute angle, and then building around it "the first stage from the summit, and so on, in like manner, as "many as were required." Thus the credit of being the first to publish an intelligent theory as to the manner in which the pyiamids were built is due to Hoskins, and since the pyramids of Egypt were the models copied by Nubian builders the results obtained from the examination of the pyramids at Niiri may well be * " Letters," p. 65. - "Travels in Ethiopia," p. 165.

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