%yt 



I'lioto from ligypt Exploration Fiu 

 I^ARGK vase: containing 73 MUMMlFlKD CATS FOUND AT ABYDOS 



and now stands clear — ramp, terraces, 

 and courts — and in a measure restored. 

 Scattered stones have been set back in 

 place. The famous historical reliefs are 

 protected from further damage. The 

 large platform of Avhite limestone stands 

 out nearly complete against the back- 

 ground of the yellow cliff in which the 

 tombs were excavated. 



In 1903 Avas discovered the second 

 temple, near that of Hatshepsut. Smaller, 

 inferior to the first, it is the funerary 

 temple of Mentuhotep Nebhapet Ra, of 

 the eleventh dynasty. On a rectangular 

 base stands a pyramid flanked by a colon- 

 nade, the entire structure surrounded by 

 a second colonnade only partly intact 

 (see page 1022). 



TIFK MOST BKAUTTFUI. cult TMAGK YKT 

 DISCOVKRI'D 



It is from February 7, 1906, however, 

 that the fame of Deir-el-liahari really 

 dates; at least, in popular esteem. In a 

 shrine 10 by 5 feet and 8 feet high there 



was found a life-sized statue of the cow- 

 goddess Hathor, the largest and most 

 beautiful cult image yet discovered intact 

 in its shrine. The shrine was built and 

 adorned by Thothmes III, but if we are 

 to believe the cartouche engraved be- 

 tween the lotuses, the two figures are of 

 his son, Amenhotep II (see page 1027).. 



The shrine is lined inside with slabs 

 of sculptured limestone, but the marvel 

 of the tomb is the statue itself, cut from 

 a stone the full thickness of the animal 

 and high enough to reach the top of her 

 lofty horns — a perfect likeness of the 

 living animal, reddish brown in color, 

 with spots shaped like a four-leaved 

 clover. Traces yet remain of the gold 

 that once covered head, neck, and horns. 

 Between the curving horns is the lunar 

 disk surmounted by two plumes. A 

 lieavy metal necklace hung about the 

 neck (see page 1027). 



This is the mountain goddess, who 

 from her cave came to the marshes, 

 where she suckled the god Horus. Be- 



1040 



