CHAP. xvr. 



ALTARS AT THE TOMB. 



387 



proved;** and is probably intended to point out the 

 excellence of the gifts selected for the deceased, 

 being used as the demonstrative sign accompanying 

 the '■^cho.sen ])art** of the sacrifices in the temples 

 and the tombs. 



It is probable that lamps were kept burning in 

 the tomb while these ceremonies were performing, 

 or as long as it was open, as in the Roman sepul- 

 chres ; a duty which fell to the charge of the keeper 

 or servant of the tomb. 



These funeral oblations answer exactly to the 

 ii%feri(E or parentalia of the Romans, consisting of 

 victims, flowers, and libations ; when the tomb 

 was decked with garlands and wreaths of flowers, 

 and an altar was erected before it for presenting the 



offerings. And 

 that this last was 

 also done by the 

 Egyptians, is 

 proved by the 

 manysmallaltars 

 discovered out- 

 side the doors of 

 the catacombs at 

 Thebes. 



These altars 





© /\ ^^ 

 ©01/00 



are of stone, fre- 



No. 496. An altar, in the British Museum, showing nn<=>nfli7' crrctniia 



that the trench is for carrying off the libation. The ^LICULI^^ ^ItllJlLt; 



lower device is the ordinary hieroglyphic signifying ^ . i, -t 



"chosen," as a.p\>]\ed to qfferings. OY DaSalt I anCl 



upon them are carved in bas relief the various 

 offerings they bore, which are the same as those 



c c ^^2 



