Q CHRONOLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS 



Eleventh Dynasty, was found in the lining of the coffin described by 

 Birch.* 



The traffic in gems or precious stones, procured in distant lands, 

 was probably also in existence ; though I do not know of any direct 

 evidence of the fact. — Garnets and cornelian, according to Charapol- 

 lion-Figeac (Egypte Ancienne, p. 208), are figured in the Tribute 

 processions of the Eighteenth Dynasty : and a variety of precious 

 stones are mentioned in the Hebrew Scriptures. 



In all probability, gold was also known. — Birch speaks of orna- 

 mental gilding on the above-mentioned coffin of the time of the 

 Eleventh Dynasty ; and according to Rosselini, the hieroglyphic name 

 of "nkbt," or gold-washing, occurs on monuments as old or older than 

 the Twelfth Dynasty. 



Manetho further states, that Athothis constructed a palace at 

 Memphis ; and that Onenephes, the fourth king of Egypt, built •pyra- 

 mids. — In after times, this palace and these pyramids may have been 

 the earliest monuments known to the Egyptians themselves. 



Some of the pyramids built of adobes or sun-dried brick may be 

 among the most ancient. — The one identified, belongs to the time of 

 the Twelfth Dynasty. 



Wooden beams are said to enter into the construction of these py- 

 ramids ; and an examination of the kinds of timber might decide the 

 question, as to the presence of navigation upon the Mediterranean. — 

 Trees are figured under the Third Dynasty ; and river-barges, propelled 

 by numerous oars and larger than any now used on the Nile, under 

 the Fifth ; but the material for their construction may have been 

 derived from cultivated groves. 



According to Manetho, Sesorthus, the second king of the Third 

 Dynasty, erected the earliest buildings of hewn stone. A knowledge 

 of copper is implied : and abandoned copper mines, that were worked 

 as early, at least, as the Fourth Dynasty, have been discovered at 

 Wadi Maghara, in the Sinai Peninsula. 



Lepsius found the signs of the seasons and their months upon the 

 stones of the great pyramid at Daschur ; showing, that a Calendar was 

 in use during the Third Dynasty. Lepsius also states, that the divi- 



* Letter on mummies : in Gliddon's Otia iEgyptiaca. London, 1849. 



