96 
EGYPTIAN ANTIQUITIES. [GROUND AND 
Thothmes IV., and mother of Amenophis III. — In the centre of 
the Gallery is a colossal head of King Thothmes III., discovered 
by Belzoni near the granite sanctuary at Karndk : near the head 
is the arm of the same figure, — A. stele or monument sculptured on four 
sides ; upon it is represented in bas-relief King Thothmes III., sup- 
ported by the god Muntra and the goddess Athor ; Karndk. — Small 
limestone statue of the prince Anebni, dedicated by Thothmes III. — In 
the central recess of the East side of the Gallery is fixed the tablet of 
Abydos, an inscription of great value in determining the names and 
succession of the kings of various dynasties. It appears originally to 
have commemorated an offering made by Rameses II. to his predecessors 
on "the throne of Egypt; and was discovered by Mr. W. Bankes, in 
a chamber of the temple of Abydos, in 1818. In the same part of the 
Gallery are placed some fine specimens of Egyptian painting, repre- 
senting banqueting scenes, fowling, and other subjects of ordinary 
Egyptian life. 
NORTHERN VESTIBULE. 
In this apartment are placed monuments of the first twelve 
dynasties of Egyptian monarchs. Though small in size, they have 
considerable interest, being the most ancient sculptures preserved in the 
Museum ; and they show that art had made great progress in the early 
times to which they belong. The sculptures are principally of the 4th 
and 12th dynasties. 
The 4th was distinguished by the high civilization that prevailed 
in Egypt during its rule. Its monarchs conquered Arabia, and built 
the pyramids as royal sepulchres. Among the monuments may be 
noticed some of the casing-stones of the pyramids, and a coloured 
statue found in a tomb at Gizeh. 
The 12th dynasty excavated the Mceris Lake, built the Labyrinth, 
the city of Abydos, and the fortress of Semneh, and conquered 
Nubia or ^Ethiopia. Of this dynasty is a mutilated statue of King 
An, dedicated by King Osortesen L 
Over the East doorway is a plaster cast from the head of the most 
Northern colossal statue of Rameses II. at Ibsamboul, placed here 
owing to the want of space in the Central Saloon. 
NORTH-WEST STAIRCASE. 
On the staircase are placed Egyptian Papyri, which are 
documents of various character, inscribed on rolls formed of 
slices of the papyrus plant. They show the three forms 
of writing in use among the Egyptians : — 1. The Hieroglyphic, 
in which all the characters, or figures, are separately and dis- 
tinctly defined. 2. The Hi&rtitic, in which the same characters 
an? represented in what may be termed a running hand. 
