153 



III. On the Years and Cycles used hy the Ancient Egyptians. By the Rev. 

 Edward Hincks, D.D. (Communicated by the President.)* 



Read 9th April, 1838. 



jVIUCH has been written on the subject of the Egyptian year ; but I apprehend 

 that no correct information respecting it is any where to be met with. It has 

 been generally stated, that it originally consisted of 360 days ; and that at some 

 epoch, on which authors are not agreed, five additional days were annexed to it, 

 in order to approximate more closely to the length of a solar revolution. 



In opposition to this received opinion, I venture to lay before the Academy 

 the five following propositions, which I hope to be able to establish in suc- 

 cession. 



1st, In the early part of the eighteenth century before the Christian era, 

 there occurred a marked chronological epoch in Egypt. 



2nd. Before this epoch, the Egyptians used a year, of which the commence- 

 ment took place at a fixed astronomical season, and the average length of which 

 was, consequently, that of the tropical year ; while after this epoch they used the 

 wandering year of 365 days. 



3rd. Between this chronological epoch and the year of our Lord 34, there 

 elapsed six cycles, of some sort or other. 



4th. The nature of these cycles was such, that in one of them the astronomi- 

 cal phenomenon, which had marked the commencement of the old fixed year, 

 travelled forward through a fifth part of the wandering year, or seventy-three 

 days ; and, consequently, that in five such cycles that phenomenon returned again 



* To prevent the possibility of misconception, it seems proper to state, that this paper ^¥as not 

 sent to the President until finished ; and, of course, that he is not responsible for the accuracy of 

 any statement, result, or reasoning that it contains ; having merely had the kindness to communicate 

 to the Academy what yias transmitted to him for that purpose. 



VOL. XVIII. u 



