8
THE
ROCK
TOMBS
OF
EL
A
MARK
A.
ness,
and
no
doubt
represents
the
high-water
mark
of
prosperity
in
Akhetaten.
The
public
buildings
had
been
completed,
and
the
officials
having
been
provided
with
suitable
buildings
in
the
city,
could
plan
ambitious
"
houses
of
eternity
"
in
the
desert.
But
the
craftsmen
of
Akhetaten
could
not
keep
pace
with
the
lavish
projects
of
the
King
or
his
courtiers.
Not
one
of
these
splendid
tombs
was
quite
finished.
The
Avails
Avere
prepared
and
the
hard-driven
artist
pacified
all
his
employers
by
making
a
brave
beginning
in
paint
Avhere
he
could
not
spare
a
chisel.
Meanwhile,
Avhen
hopes
Avere
high,
Meryra,
Avho
as
high-priest
of
Aten
had
the
post
of
power
and
favour
at
court,
usurped
all
the
talent
for
his
splendid
tomb
and
left
Pentu,
Ahmes,
and
many
more
lamenting
their
half-executed
decorations,
or
halls
which
had
only
half
emerged
from
the
rock.
The
days
of
prosperity
and
leisured
luxury
were
never
to
return,
either
to
them
or
to
new
favourites
in
Akhetaten,
and
the
tombs
have
come
down
to
our
day
as
the
doAvnfall
of
Aten-Avorship
left
them,
a
feAV
years
after
its
inception.
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