CHAP. II. 



EGYPT AND NUBIA. 43 



latitude 22 north 1 . They were worked by 

 a numerous body of people, including men, 

 women, and children, to each of whom a portion 

 of labour was assigned, correspondent to their 

 strength and skill. The discovery of them was 

 made by the kings of the ancient race. The 

 operations in the mines of Nubia were inter- 

 rupted by the invasion of the Ethiopians, who 

 took possession of them 2 , and afterwards by the 

 Medes and Persians. In the passages of the 

 mines were found many tools of brass, iron 

 being then unknown, and vast masses of human 

 bones, of people who had been buried in the 

 ruins. The extent of the subterraneous galleries 

 is so great that they must almost have reached 

 to the sea." 



Some recent communications have thrown light 

 on the subject of these mines. They are said to 

 be at Alaki, fifteen days' journey from the Nile. 

 The nearest city to them is Assuan 3 . The in- 

 quiries of Belzoni have also led him to discover 

 mines in the range of the Zahara mountains, only 

 six hours' journey from the Red Sea, in latitude 

 24 30'. They are represented as very extensive, 

 and as having been worked during a long space 



1 The exactness of this position has been since proved by 

 D'Anville, in Memoire sur 1'Egypte, p. 274. 



4 The Ethiopians overran Egypt between 700 and 800 years 

 before Christ. 



3 Quatremere, Memoires sur 1'Egypte, vol. ii. p. 175, &c. 



