398 



THE ANCIENT EGYPTIANS. CHAP. XVI. 



clay have even been found adhering to some of 

 the stone jambs of the doorways in the tombs of 

 Thebes; and the numerous stamps buried near 

 them were probably used on those occasions. 



It may be a question whether these stamps were 

 really seals, by which the impressions were made 

 upon the clay; because the characters upon them 

 are in relief, and because their edges are sometimes 

 raised unequally around their faces, both arguing 

 that theij had been impressed with another seal. We 

 even find them of a square form, with a stamp on 

 all the sides, and made of the same materials ; 

 which is a clay mixed with fine ashes, and after- 

 wards burnt, the exterior being of a finer quality 

 than the inside. It may also be said that the red 

 ochrous colour, with which they are sometimes 

 stained, was imparted to them from the seal that 

 stamped the impression ; though, on the other 

 hand, as the colour frequently extends halfway up 

 the whole length, it is evident that they were 

 dipped into this red mixture for some purpose. 

 Again, if they were mere impressions, and not 

 used as seals, it is difficult to understand the reason 



5^.,,*^ 



No. 498. 



Seals Ibiind near tho tombs at Thebes. 



1.2. An instance of one with a raised edge round the stamped part. 

 .■?. Anotiier staiiicil with red ochre from a to ft. 

 \. Style of th(> inscriptions iin some of them. 

 5. A iirick stamped in a similar manner. 



