XXXll PROCEEDINGS. 



mummies of the Ptolemaic Period were characterized by 

 being embedded in bitumen or resin. The mummies of the 

 twelfth dynasty investigated by Miss Murray and myself, 

 were earlier in date than any that had been previously ex- 

 amined, so that we were eager to discover the mode of pre- 

 servation and the chemicals used. From an anah'sis of the 

 remains it was found that the chief materials emplojxd 

 were the chlorides, carbonates, sulphates, phosphates and 

 silicates of potassium, sodium, calcium, and aluminium; in 

 one case the chief substance emploj^ed being common salt, 

 and in the other lime salts. The operation of embalming 

 was apparently carried out as follows. The body was first 

 eviscerated and then allowed to pickle in a solution of the 

 above compounds for some time, at the end of which period 

 the bandages were applied. It is astonishing to note the 

 efforts that were made to preserve every particle of tissue. 

 Each finger and each toe was carefully bandaged separately, 

 and special means were taken to preserve even the nails 

 which were held in position by being bound up with linen 

 thread. Forty or fiftj^ bandages for each mummy was a 

 common average, some of these strips of cloth being ten 

 yards or more in length, and their average width about 

 four inches. This gives one some idea of the tedious work 

 involved in the process of unwrapping. I well remember 

 one mummy which gave two of us eight hours hard work. 

 The bandages were all made of linen cloth beautifully hand- 

 woven. This is rather remarkable in view of the fact that 

 one of the greatest assets of modern Egypt is cotton, which, 

 however, was apparently not introduced into Egypt until 

 the Roman qccupation. 



The internal organs were separatel}'^ embalmed and in 

 many cases placed in four earthenware jars closed by a large 

 wooden plug in the shape of a human head. I may mention 

 here that the ancient Egyptians were great experts in the 

 manufacture of pottery. These jars were termed Canopic 



