NA TURE 



[June 6, 1895 



wings, having in its claws the symbols of eternal life and 

 stability. The second one (Fig:. 3 has similarly an 

 eagle with outspread wings, and beneath it is the 

 cartouch of L'sertsen III. To the right and left is a 

 sphin.xwith the head of a hawk, on which are the feathers 

 of .\inmon ; each is standing on a captive, whilst in front 

 of each kneels an interceding Asiatic prisoner. 



The workmanship of these jewels is wonderful. The 

 perfection with which the precious stones arc set, and, 

 moreover, the delicacy and freshness of the whole, makes 

 it hard to believe them five thousand years old. The 

 work shows how far science dates back, and is evidence 

 that in the case of the Egyptians, the further we look 

 back, the higher we find their culture. 



It is a curious fact that when we compare these jewels 

 with those of a later period, we should tind them far 

 superior in workmanship ; but so it is, for those of the 

 time of the Kamessids are but an imperfect edition of the 

 more ancient ones, not nearly so artistic, nor yet so well 

 finished ot^". 



When the excavations were continued, Aac large barges 

 were brought to light ; it was not till the work had 

 continued some time that the royal apartments were found, 

 so cleverly were they hidden. 



The pyramid of the south is the most southerly royal 

 monument of the Memphitc necropolis. Traces are still 

 to be found of a wall round it. and similarlv situated as 



pertaining to the toilet. \o inscriptions were found until 

 the flagstone was rcmo\ed, and a coffin brought to light 

 on which were many texts relating to the name and title of 

 the princess, .-^s this tomb is so similar to that of King 

 Ra-Fou-.-\b, and is so closely situated, it is supposed that 

 the princess was his wife : but nothing has been found to 

 confirm her marriage with him. 



\ I'.. J. — Pectoral belonging lo l'>«r*cii III. 



the princesses' tombs at the pyramid of the north ; here, 

 too. wc find a gallery of twehc \ aults or tombs, of which 

 only two contain mummies, one being King Ka-Kou-.\l). 

 and the other a princess, yueen Noub-llotep. 



Near the king's sarcophagus is a small chamber, in 

 which were a uuantity of broken vases and chests, and 

 in .1 great wootfen tabernacle was a statue of the doiiblr 

 of the deceased '^Fig. 4;, painted grey, representing 

 a young man of fifteen or sixteen. It is made of hartl 

 wood, almost black, and is admirably done; every muscle 

 and vein are perfectly plated, and specialists have certi- 

 fied its veracity. It is a fine piece of Kgyptian sculpture, 

 of which only four good specimens have descended to 

 us. .Some savants have endeavoured to classify what 

 has been found into certain schools, but this is scarcely 

 advantageous till more has been collected. 



The well leading lo the princesses' tomb is about 13 ft. 

 deep. At the bottom is a vaulted brick passage, which 

 formerly en.Ic.l In a wall. As was suspected, the 

 w.ill being r caled a vault containing a (lagslnne, 



on which vn i.irs, pieces of embalmed meat, and 



other offerings, also two cases, containing many things 



NO. 1336, VOL 52] 



. 4.— Smiuc of double of the King Ra-fou-.\b. (Found April 16, 1894.) 



.Mlliougli a gie;it dial has been done, it will iet(uirc 

 many years of hard work to open up all tin- l()nil)s in the 

 Dahshiir necropolis; but general interest has now l)een 

 awakened, thanks lo those who ha\e been the means of 

 making us acquainted with the preceding f;i( Is : tin- icsiilts 

 of future action will be followed by many. 



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