8 IVORY AND THE ELEPHANT 



peculiarly exaggerated outline shown in the ivory sculptures 

 of Brassempouy and in some similar prehistoric sculptures, 

 but still the figure is to a certain extent steatopygous. The 

 dimensions of this unique plaque are 15 by 17 cm. 



There are in the Petrie Collection several specimens of 

 prehistoric Egyptian ivory carving. In the earliest work 

 here, the form of the tusk was modified but little, or not at 

 all. Exceedingly curious are some rude reproductions of 

 the human form, where the head alone is more or less clearly 

 figured. Two of them show bearded heads bearing a strik- 

 ing resemblance to those engraved on the most archaic of 

 the Babylonian cylinders, a fact which might be taken to 

 indicate that the same or a closely related race evolved the 

 first important elements of civilization, both in Mesopo- 

 tamia and in the Nile Valley. These early Egyptian carv- 

 ings are assigned by Mr. Petrie to some time during the 

 long prehistoric period from 8000 to 5500 B. C, and he 

 believes that they belong to the earlier part of this 

 period. 



Of the ivory work of historic times in Egypt, no single 

 specimen is more valuable than the tiny head of the great 

 pyramid builder, Khufu, of the Fourth Dynasty, now in the 

 Boulaq Museum, Cairo. Although measuring but a quarter 

 of an inch in height, the features are strongly and firmly 

 marked, and we have good reason to think that the old-time 

 carver has successfully executed his task as portraitist. 



Toward the end of the pre-dynastic period in Egypt ivory 

 carving of marked excellence appears, revealing a decided 

 advance upon earlier work. A large mass of specimens of 

 this work was unearthed at Hierakonopolis in a trench six 

 feet long; these comprised statuettes of men and women, as 

 well as carved tusks, wands, and cylinders. Although the 

 ivories of this period and of the early dynasties are decidedly 

 artistic in execution, it has been remarked that Egypt never 



