17 



Great Pyramid, the numerous sepulchral tablets, many of which are of great interest, 

 some for their excellent execution and remote antiquity, amongst which the most 

 remarkable is one in bas relief of a person named Ankh-enteta, of an age at least as 

 old as the Pyramids of Gizeh. 



" Several of the statues, although small in size, are yet valuable, either for their 

 period or style of art, some being as old as the twelfth Egyptian dynasty, and others 

 of the period of Saite dynasty which reigned from about the 7th to the 5th century, 

 B.C., are fine specimens of the style of that age. The torso of one statue 

 unfortunately imperfect, bears the name of Alexander — either Alexander the Great 

 or his son and successor, Alexander Aigos. 



" The pedestal of a statue of calcareous stone is also of considerable interest, as it 

 bears the name and titles of a monarch named Amenmessu, the successor of 

 Meneptah, the supposed Pharaoh of the Exodus. Amongst the smaller objects, Dr. 

 Birch would particularly cite the belt dated in the second year of Eameses III. , a 

 rare and remarkable object, the tablet with Demotic inscriptions recording astrono- 

 mical observations, the draughtsman in shape of an Asiatic prisoner with his hands 

 bound, and the ends of leather straps stamped with the name of Osorchon I., all of 

 which will always give a great interest to the valuable collection of the Museum. 



" The same observation may be applied to the sealed lip of an ancient amphora or 

 wine cask of terra cotta, which bears the inscription and seal of the Temple of Amen 

 Ra, or the Theban Jupiter, where it was formely deposited. 



"The collection comprises several Mummies and their cofBns, and here Dr. Birch 

 would observe that these objects of the sepulchral rites of the Egyptians have 

 become of great value and rarity ; they are also most attractive, as the public interest 

 excited by them is always greater than that of any other kind of Egyptian 

 antiquities. Some of these are brilliantly coloured and contain prayers and formulas 

 very important for the proper comprehension of the religious system of Ancient 

 Egypt. One fine specimen consists of three coffins which fit into one another, 

 but the Mummy, as is usual in this kind of burial, is only wrapped in bandages. 

 Dr. Birch also examined the collection with a view to such portions as might be 

 removed as duplicates without impairing its utility, and a few objects have been 

 selected which might advantageously be disposed of for that purpose^either 

 that they are inferior specimens of better types, or in an unsatisfactory state of 

 preservation, or that they will give space for the display of other objects. 



" Dr. Birch would recommend that all objects in wood, magnesian limestone, and 

 perishable materials should be placed under glass and their condition watched. 



" The fact that objects exhumed from ancient soils often contain deliquescent or 

 other salts often rapidly decay when exposed to a humid climate like that of 

 Britain, and the greater security afforded by glass against accidental injury 

 or wanton destruction, render this proceeding imperatively necessary where possible. 

 The harder stone, such as basalt and granite, or even sandstone, do not require this 

 precaution. 



" In conclusion. Dr. Birch congratulates the Corporation of Liverpool on the 



possession of this valuable collection, which will always be of great interest to 



Euvptian students. 

 ^•^^ "S. BIRCH." 



