A Walk to the Pyramide of Havara.

BEtween the Towns of Fium and Benesuef, which are distant the one from the other about a little days Journey, there be two great Pyramides; the one is near Fium, the other nearer to Benesuef. The first is named Haram Havara, the Pyramide of Havara: The other Haram Ila∣hun, the Pyramide of Ilahun.

Thursday, the 4th of August, I went to that of Havara, so called from the neighbouring Vil∣lage Havara. It Stands about an hour and a halfs walking from Fium, on the South side, scituated in a sandy Wilderness, like that which is over a∣gainst Cairo, where the Pyramides stand: when we were gone beyond a certain Bridge of Brick, very old, which is upon the Highway of Benesuef, we left it, to take a shorter course; but we found cause to repent it, because the way was craggy and full of Sand.

We were oblig'd also to go through the Bahr Belame, or the River without Water, which caus∣ed us to endure much trouble and fear, in regard of the depth that was extraordinary, and our be∣ing forced to climb up again. And when we had overcome all these difficulties, and were near the Pyramide, about six hundred Paces from it we met with a Ditch of the River of Joseph, full of Water; we could not get over it, but were forced to stay Page  165on that side, and from thence take a vi•w, at a distance, of the Pyramide, to my great displea∣sure. I took notice, that in its elevation and breadth, it was much like the second Pyramide which is at Gize, but the length of time hath al∣most reduc'd it to Dust, so that it appears like a sharp Mountain of Sand, rather than a Pyra∣mide.

The Desart where it stands, is like that of the Mommies which is near Saccàra. Some Wells of Mommies are here to be found, whereof the en∣try is fill'd up with Sand, and some are half empty. Upon the ground are scattered, here and there, Bones of Mommies, broken Wood, and pieces of Coffins; so that one may say that it is altoge∣ther like that of Saccàra.

But because we were without any Guide, and my Janissary was a very Coward, having none but him with me, he allarm'd me several times with the fear of the Arabians, besides, our Beasts were tired with the deep way; I was therefore con∣strain'd to set bounds to my Curiosity, and to re∣turn to the Town, passing through the River with∣out Water, near its Mouth, leaving on our left hand, near the Pyramide of Havara, the Ruines of an ancient Town, whereof I could never un∣derstand the name; and a little further, on the same side, the Village of Havara, from whence this Pyramide borrows the name, and at a little distance from this Village, a very ancient Bridge, and very high, which is made to give a passage to the River Nilus when it overflows: We return'd to Fium again about Noon.

For the other Pyramide, called of Ilahun; the Arabian Historians say, that Joseph, Jacob's Son, Page  166caused into be built. It is so nam'd from the Vil∣lage Ilahuis, near adjoining, belonging to the Cas∣cieflik of Benesuef; but because I could not look upon it, but at a distance, I cannot well describe it. The Reader may see what Macrizi faith of it.