The Pyramids and Temples of Giza by W. M. F. Petrie

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critical condition and required stainless steel bar implants as well as grouting. 4. The third burial chamber or the king's chamber restoration followed that of the other areas previously described. That is: a. Soot (or black spots) was removed by using alcohol, an ammonia and water solution in equal parts and rinsing with distilled water; b. The walls and the roof of this chamber were cleaned through using water and neutral-soaps, then rinsing with distilled water; and c. Grease was cleaned off the granite walls by mechanical methods. 5. The descending passage which leads to the first burial chamber, al­ though not previously open to the public, presented similar restoration problems as the parts of the Great Pyramid to which access was unre­ stricted. That is: a. The salts which covered the walls and the roof of this passage had to be removed by using mechanical methods without using any wetpoultice in order to avoid increases in humidity inside the first burial chamber. b. The weak parts of the walls had to be consolidated by using a solution composed of paraloid-1372 with acetone 5%. c. The cracks and the slight detachments of the walls were repaired by using linen, sand and araldit. Where appropriate, the cracks were filled by using a special mortar composed of three parts sand, two parts lime-powder, and one part kaolin. One important structural improvement that was made in the descend­ ing passage, was the installation of iron supports to buttress the large lime­ stone roof of the passage. The passage was thereby strengthened sufficiently to accommodate tourists. 6. A new limestone staircase was built in the middle of the northern side of the Great Pyramid, a short distance from the staircase used in order to reach the Mamun's entrance. This new staircase leads to the original en­ trance of the Great Pyramid. It was made to facilitate visiting the inside of the Great Pyramid. It will be used as the exit. The first staircase which leads to the Mamun's entrance will be used for the entrance. 7. The lighting system inside the Great Pyramid was entirely altered by the installation of indirectly lighting sodium lamps. The old lamps that had


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