Manchester Memoirs, Vol. lix. (191 5), No. 10. 39 



were made. The evidence of extended burials, referred 

 to the First Dynasty, which were found by Flinders 

 Petrie at Tarkhan (54), may seem to contradict this : but 

 there are reasons for believing that attempts at embalming 

 were being made even at that time (85). It seems to be 

 definitely proved that this change was not due to any 

 foreign influence (45). At the time that it occurred 

 there was a very considerable alien element in the popu- 

 lation of Egypt ; but the admixture took place long 

 before the change in the position of the body was mani- 

 fested. Perhaps the presence of a large foreign element 

 may have weakened the sway of Egyptian tradition ; but 

 the evidence seems definitely opposed to the inference 

 that it played any active part in the change of custom. 

 For the history of the gradual way in which the change 

 was slowly effected is certain proof of the causal factors 

 at work. There was no sudden adoption of the fully 

 extended position, but a slow and very gradual straighten- 

 ing of the limbs — a process which it took centuries to 

 complete. The analysis of the evidence by Mace is quite 

 conclusive on this point (45). 



I am strongly of the opinion that there is a causal 

 relationship between this gradual extension of the body 

 and the measures for the reconstruction of a lifelike 

 model of the deceased, with the help of the mummy's 

 wrappings. In other words, the adoption of the extended 

 position was a direct result of the introduction of mummi- 

 fication. 



At an early stage in the history of these changes it 

 seems to have been realised that the likeness of the 

 deceased which could be made of the wrapped mummy 

 lacked the exactness and precision demanded of a portrait. 

 Perhaps also there may have been some doubt as to the 

 durability of a statue made of linen. 



