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EGYPTIAN ANTIQUITIES. 
[upper 
A sandstone tablet recording the passage of Amenophis III. into 
Ethiopia, the extent of his conquests, and the number of the prisoners 
and slain; Semneh. — A column, with a capital in the form of lotus 
buds, inscribed with the names of Amenophis III. and two later kings ; 
Cairo. — Two colossal heads, representing Amenophis III., found 
near the statue called the "Vocal Memnon," at Thebes. — Several 
statues of the cat-headed goddess Sekhet (Bubastis), inscribed with 
the name of the same monarch ; Karnak. — A black granite sculpture 
representing a boat, in which is seated Queen Mautemua, wife of 
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 Karnak : near the head 
is the arm of the same figure, — A 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 ; Karnak. — 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 Osiris, Amenophis I., the queen Nefertari, the tributes of 
Asiatics and negroes, jewellers at work, 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, a small statue of a 
naval constructor, and a coloured statue found in a tomb at Gizeh. 
The 12th dynasty excavated the Moeris 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 Usertesen 1. 
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. 
