208 Appendix I. 
interpretations of the racial problem. There are many - 
indications of intercourse with the East African littoral in 
Proto- as well as in Predynastic times. 
Whatever view is taken as to the source and date of 
the Min statues, it does not in any way affect the question 
of the introduction of sea-shells into Egypt: as these were 
already in use there in Predynastic times. Whether origi- 
nally brought by migration of people or introduced by 
trade relations, does not concern us in this discussion, but 
the evidence at our disposal points very definitely to the 
Red Sea coast as the chief source of supply. Thus there 
must have been some kind of intercourse between Egypt 
and this region at a very early period. But strange as it 
may seem, there is as yet no earlier evidence than the Sixth 
dynasty for the use and appreciation of the marine pearl- 
shell, though hosts of other Red Sea shells had been in 
use for centuries before that date. 
Of extraordinary interest is the presence in Egypt of 
mummified shell-fish. Lortet and Gaillard’ report the dis- 
covery of two shells (Arca auriculata, Lam. and Cardium 
edule, L.) prepared “ pour la momification par le natron 
résineux conservateur"’ in a tomb of the necropolis of 
Gébélén, in Upper Egypt. These must have been carried 
across the desert from the shores of the Red Sea in a 
mummified state, since it would not have been possible for 
them ito have remained in a fresh condition in so warm a 
climate during the journey to Gébélén. 
The full significance of the role played by shells in the 
religion of the Egyptians awaits elucidation, but it is certain 
that some symbolic virtues were assigned to them. They 
may have been associated with some deity, just as we 
have seen the cowry to be associated with Venus. Doubt- 
less a closer study of Egyptian texts and monuments would 
result in elucidating this interesting subject. 
* Arch. Mus. d Hist, Nat, de Lyon, vol. 10, 1909, pp. 116—117. 
