on some Egyptian Mummies. 189 
as his own times (viz. in the first half of the fifth century) 
mummies were certainly made in Egypt.* But that among 
the mummies that now exist, especially the hard ones, which 
are entirely done over with rosin, there cannot but be many of 
a much greater antiquity, will, among other proofs, appear 
particularly from the style of workmanship of several of the 
little idols contained in them. 
At least it may be admitted, without much hesitation, that 
the mummies we now possess, which differ so much in their 
preparation and characteristic structure, are at least of a period 
including one thousand years. 
But it were much to be wished that we might have certain 
criteria, to determine zvitb some accuracy the precise age of any 
particular mummy that may happen to fall into our hands. 
Before, however, we can expect to obtain this object, the two 
following^/# desideria must first be accomplished, viz. 
(A) A more accurate determination of the various, so strik- 
ingly different, and yet as strikingly characteristic national con- 
figurations in the monuments of the Egyptian arts, together 
with a determination of the periods in which those monu- 
ments were produced, and the causes of their remarkable 
differences. 
(B) A very careful technical examination of the charac- 
teristic forms of the several skulls of mummies we have hitherto 
met with, together with an accurate comparison of those skulls 
with the monuments abovementioned. 
This, at least, I consider as the surest method of solving the 
problem ; being persuaded that, especially after what has just 
now been said of the fraudulent restorations, it can hardly be 
* August. Serm. 361. (Oper. T. Y. p. 981.) 
