Explorations in Ntibia. 15 



examination of the human remains being made by the lecturer. 

 During the last three years this work of exploration had been 

 carried on, and many thousands of graves had been made to yield 

 up their secrets — secrets that in some cases they had preserved 

 for fifty centuries— and it could now be truthfully said that no 

 ancient land had ever been so thoroughly and systematically 

 explored as Lower Nubia. Much light had been thrown on the 

 past history of civilization, not only in Nubia, but also in Egypt 

 and the Sudan, by the investigation, and it was now possible to 

 follow the chequered career of that poverty-stricken land, where 

 the negro first came into contact with people of European affini- 

 ties from a tnne nearly four thousand years B.C., when Egypt and 

 Nubia formed one territory, occupied by the same people, with 

 the same civilization, on till about 2700 B.C., when they parted 

 company, Egypt rapidly progressing towards the golden age of 

 her prosperity and culture, Nubia undergoing a deterioration both 

 in culture and its population, and becoming tinged with negro 

 blood and influence. Thence onward Nubia ever remained a 

 poor country, and from time to time was overrun by Egyptians 

 from the North and negroes from the South. With all these 

 devastating influences to drag her down. Nubia deserved only too 

 well the appellation given her in ancient times — "wretched 

 Nubia." 



Professor Symington, F.R.S., moved a hearty vote of thanks 

 to Professor Smith for his instructive and valuable lecture, and, 

 referring to the Nubian system of plaiting the hair amongst ladies, 

 said if adopted by modern women it would save a great deal of 

 bad feeling in theatres and at concerts. 



Professor Dixon, F.R.S , seconded the motion, which was 

 passed unanimously. 



The meeting then concluded. 



