FLOOR.] 
SOUTHERN GALLERY. 
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possible, in chronological order, according to the succession of 
dynasties recorded in Manetho. 
The smaller sculptures, consisting chiefly of sepulchral 
tablets, have been brought, as far as practicable, into the same 
order as the larger monuments. These tablets record the names 
and titles of the deceased, who are represented upon them per- 
forming acts of homage to their ancestors or various divinities. 
Though of great value to the student of the language and 
history of Egypt, they do not possess such interest as to detain 
the general visitor. Their probable age, and the names of the 
persons to whom they were erected, will be seen on their labels. 
The Egyptian collection has been formed partly from the 
donation, by King George III., of the antiquities obtained 
at the capitulation of Alexandria ; and partly by acquisitions 
from the Earl of Belmore, Mr. Salt (including the discoveries of 
Belzoni), and M. Anastasi. It has been further enriched by 
presents from H.M. the Queen, H.R.H. the Prince of Wales, 
General Howard Vyse, the Duke of Northumberland, the 
Marquis of Northampton, and others. 
The localities from which the sculptures have been prin- 
cipally derived are as follows : — The earlier sepulchral monu- 
ments are chiefly from Memphis, the capital of the most 
important of the more ancient dynasties, and the ruins of 
which are on the left bank of the Nile, opposite Cairo. 
Other early remains are derived from the great burial-place 
of Abydos. The main portion of the collection, including 
most of the monuments belonging to the kings of the 1 8th, 
19 th, and 20th dynasties, was obtained from the ancient 
city of Thebes, which became the capital of Egypt under 
those monarchs. This city was built on both banks of the 
Nile, and included the four modern localities, Karnak and 
Luxor on the right bank, Gourneh and Medinet-Haboo on the 
left. The antiquities from Alexandria and Cairo are of more 
uncertain origin, as some of them had been only transferred 
to those cities in comparatively recent times. 
Most of these monuments, of whatever period, are inscribed 
with hieroglyphics, a form of writing almost peculiar to the 
Egyptians. These characters are all representations of visible 
