Novciidh-r 28 III, / ^Vy ■ J 1 ' '^OC K K I ) I N c; S. V 



to Roman. Certain types of knives witli very finely notehed 

 edges and forked lance-heads are very characteristic of the pre- 

 historic age. One cemetery dates from the Libyan settlements 

 in Kgypt at the close of the middle kingdom, about 2,400 ii.c. 

 Here the graves were all shallow pits of the form known 

 as " pan graves," in which the bodies were laid in a contracted 

 position, but not all in the same direction. From this were 

 obtained several of the strings of beads exhibited. The shell 

 bracelets are very characteristic of this period. Another large 

 cemetery at Hu began in the sixth dynasty, and contained, 

 besides pottery, a large quantity of beads. One large necklace of 

 five strings was of amethyst, others were of cornelian and garnet, 

 whilst in the other sets were metal beads, which from their not 

 having corroded were presumed to have contained a considerable 

 proportion of gold. The collection included a large number of 

 pieces of engraved bone, apparently prepared for inlaying, as well 

 as two beautiful diorite saucers, one circular and the other in the 

 shape of a large Unio shell. A block of stone about six inches 

 square, with a circle and two cross lines on the top, once formed 

 the upper part of a short stone pillar, and is believed to have 

 been a surveyor's mark. 



A short discussion followed, in which Professor W. Boyd 

 Dawkins remarked upon the similarity between the Egyptian 

 beads and those known as "wampum" by the North American 

 Indians. The knives with serrated edges were probably meant 

 for ceremonial use, e.g., cutting the first incision in a body about 

 to be mummified. The imitation Unio shell was an extraordinary 

 production, a model of this kind being almost unique. 



Ordinary INIeeting, November 28th, 1S99. 



Horace Lamb, M.A., F.R.S., President, in the Chair. 



The thanks of the members were voted to the donors of the 

 books upon the table. 



