These are the scars left upon the surface by the tools of the ancient workmen, and they show the method employed in detaching the blocks.

The size was outlined in red ink, and this outline sometimes indicated the form which the stone was to take in the projected building.

The members of the French Commission, when they visited the quarries of Gebel Abufeydeh, copied the diagrams and squared designs of several capitals, one being of the campaniform pattern, and others prepared for the Hathor-head pattern (fig.

50).[10] The outline made, the vertical faces of the block were divided by means of a long iron chisel, which was driven in perpendicularly or obliquely by heavy blows of the mallet.

In order to detach the horizontal faces, they made use of wooden or bronze wedges, inserted the way of the natural strata of the stone.