2o8 Appendix II. 



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 reg-ion 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 Gaillards report the dis- 

 covery of two shells {Area auriciilata. Lam. and Cardium 

 edule, L.) prepared " pour la momification par le natron 

 resiineux conservateur " in a tomb of the necropolis of 

 Gebelen, 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 hav^e been possible for 

 them ito have remained in a fresh condition in so warm a 

 climate during the journey to Gebelen. 



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. 



••' 4rch. Mm. d'Hist, Nat. de Lyon, vol. lo, 1909, pp. 116— 117. 



