672 THE EXCAVATIONS AT ABUSIR, EGYPT. 



walls were once faced witli slabs of limestone decorated with reliefs 

 partly still preserved. Opposite the altar a gateway led into the large 

 inclosure. An inclined pathway led to the gate, and thus connected 

 the plain with the elevated sanctuary. The lower end of the pathway 

 terminated in a monumental gateway which stood within another 

 walled inclosure. The latter inclosed a quadrangular space about 

 800 meters square, which, with much exaggeration, was called a 

 "city," though in reality the only residences here were those of the 

 priests and officers stationed in the building. In addition to these 

 Borchardt discovered outside the sanctuary, toward the south, brick 

 masonry beside which lay remnants of decayed wood. As may be 

 concluded from the form of the entire find, there once stood here a 

 large w^ooden sacred bark resting upon brick foundations. 



The reliefs just mentioned represent, lirst of all, some of the cere- 

 monies accompanying the founding of an Egyptian sanctuary. Thfe 

 king and the goddess of the right measure determine the axis of the 

 temple, make the opening for the foundation, offer the sacrifices of 

 the corner stone, etc. Then the celebration of the Sed festival is 

 depicted as it is also seen in the reliefs of numerous temples of the 

 classical period of Egypt. The king sits upon a throne, then he 

 descends the steps leading to the throne and is carried about on a 

 chair. The people fall down before him; priests and officials follow 

 him. Then he appears in various festal robes, his feet are washed, 

 the royal children are brought in sedans, rows of sacred animals are 

 led by, etc. Every representation of this festival formerly existed in 

 duplicate, the Pharaoh performing these ceremonies on one side of 

 the temple, being decorated with the insignia of a king of Upper 

 Egypt, while on the other side he wears the vestments of a king of 

 Lower Egypt. It is regretted that so far no explanation can be given 

 of the object of the Sed festival, though it is so often mentioned in 

 the inscriptions. In most cases the king appears to have celebrated 

 the festival for the first time thirty vears after his appointment as 

 Pharaoh or crown prince, and then repeatedly at shorter intervals. 

 It was at all events combined with religious solemnities, especially 

 with the erection of obelisks, and it may be that the sanctuary 

 described above was established on such an occasion. 



Still more interesting than these reliefs are others representing the 

 divinities of the Egyptian seasons in human form and behind them 

 the images of the objects characteristic of each season. Plants and 

 trees are depicted; birds flutter about or rest in their nests; fishes 

 swim in the water; animals beget and bring forth young; men are 

 engaged in fishing and fowling; the}' construct and use boats, till the 

 soil, harvest tigs and honey, brew beer, hunt in the desert, and raise 

 cattl(\ Similar representations occur in the tom])s of the so-called old 

 Empire of Egypt (about 3000 b. c.) as pictures of the daily life in the 



