30 Perry. Megalithic Monuments and Ancient Mines, 



megalithic monuments in mining camps, as far apart as 

 Spain and India, in much the same way as they were 

 accustomed to do in their own country in the Caucasus. 



These Colchian dolmens were certainly inspired, 

 directly or indirectly, by Egyptian models, such as the 

 mastabas. 



Most modern scholars are inclined to regard the 

 account of the Colchians given by Herodotus as a mere 

 traveller's tale devoid of any real justification. But there 

 is so much archaeological evidence in support of his 

 statements, and moreover he gives such precise and 

 cogent reasons for them, that I am convinced there 

 is an element of truth in his contention. " For the 

 Colchians were evidently Egyptians, and I say this 

 having myself observed it before I heard it from others ; 

 and as it was a matter of interest to me I inquired of both 

 people, and the Colchians had more recollection of the 

 Egyptians than the Egyptians of the Colchians ; yet the 

 Egyptians said they thought the Colchians were 

 descended from the army of Sesostris ; and I formed my 

 conjecture, not only because they were swarthy and 

 curly-headed, for this amounts to nothing, because 

 others are so likewise, but chiefly from the following 

 circumstances : because the Colchians, Egyptians, and 

 Ethiopians, are the only nations of the world who, from 

 the first, have practised circumcision " (Euterpe, Book II., 

 Sect. 104, Gary's translation) . . . " I will now 

 mention another fact respecting the Colchians, how they 

 resemble the Egyptians. They alone and the Egyptians 

 manufacture linen in the same manner ; and the whole 

 way of living, and the language, are similar in both 

 nations" {ibid., Sect. 115). 



This presumably means that some community, 

 amongst whom the Egyptian funerary practices of the 



