The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-01-14
Tho wonder. Of Egypt.

from the New York Tribune
The work Of the Egypt Exploration Fund
during the last year has been mainly oil
archaeological value. The results were re.
counted ten days ago by M. Naville, the
famous discoverer Of the treasure city OF
P1thom, in an address delivered before the
Society Of Arts in London. Excavations
were made in the mounds OF Tel-el- Yahoo-
dieh, near Helbeis, and in the ruins OF the
temple OF Bubastis. The explorers pur-
pose in the first instance was to ascertain
whether 1t was the site OF the Hebrew
town built by the high priest Onias, who
fed before the persecution OF the Syrian
king, Antiochus Epiphanes, and also to
discover the name OF the original Egyptian
city. The evidence disclosed by the spade
was not conclusive in either respect Tho
inscriptions unearthed contained no refer
ences either TO the ancient name or to
Onias, but decisive proof was furnished Of
Hebrew occupation by the discovery OF
metropolis one mile from the mounds.
There were no traces of mummifcation
nor ornament OF any kind, and the bodies
had been Inferred with bricks under tie
heads, which was q distinctive mark of
Hebrew burial. incidentally monuments
were unearthed of the kings OF the
nineteenth and later dynasties, with two
statues Of Rameses H., the Pharaoh OF the
Bondage, and many ancient inscriptions o.
that and later period.
The excavations at Tel-el- Yahoodieh
were designed chiefly to corroborate the
account given by Josephns OF the construc-
ton OF Hebrew temple by Onias in the
time OF Ptolemy Philometor and his half.
sister, Cleopatra. M. Naulle's subsequent
work at Bubastis, which was more success
full, brought TO light the columns and
foundations OF the great temple described
by Herodotus ~ the most beautiful in
Egypt. The RUNS here were very ancient,
columns with palm and lotus capitals
pointing as far back as the twelfth dynasty.
The Oldest monument was n cartouche OF
Pepi l., a Pharaoh of the sixth dynasty OF
the remote pyramid period, and fragments
OF colossal statues, remains OF shrines and
cartouches OF Uscrtesen ILL.,, Rameses III.
and 0sorkon III. were found. The temple,
which had been considered hopelessly lost,
was identified in its ruins, its area was de.
termined, and very large number OF most
interesting inscriptions wcrc disclosed.
Only one-third OF the work OF turning the
massive blocks OF stone in the search for
inscriptions was done, the remainder being
reserved for another seasons labors; but
conclusive evidence was furnished in the
friezes discovered by NJ. Navillo Of the
Egyptian origin Of the Panathenaic friczes
and OF other Characteristic features OF Greek
architecture.
These results, while tending 20 confirm
the historical accuracy OF Josophus and
Hcrodotus rathcr that TO throw light upon
mooted problems Of the Pentateuci, are
OF the highest archaeological importance
and amply Justify the recent appeals Of
the Egypt Exploration society for financial
aid In prosecuting It's work. The previous
discovery OF the brick treasure yaults Of
Pithom, built for Rameses III. by tho
Israelites, had demonstrated the accuracy
Of that older historian, Moses, and had
settled the vexed question Of the starting
point OF the Exodus. The tnnching con-
Quoted by Mr.. Petrie at Tanis had laid
bare the ancient city OF Zoan. where
Joseph was prime minister and where
Moses delivered the divine message to
Menephtah, tho Pharoah Of the Exodus.
These excavations, with the discovery OF
the Royal mummies in the cavern tomb
near Thcbes, and tho accumulating evil
dence OF inscriptions on stone and OF
hieroglyphics on papyrus and mummy
bandages, have brought into clearer light
the ancient mysteries not only Of Egypt
but Of tho Hebrew Scriptures. Much
work remains TO be done at Bubastis and
Maiariyct, the suburb Of the temple town
OF 1Ieliopolis, or On, where Joeeph's
faiher-in-law was priest and where Moses
probably was educated; ut Migdol and
other points on the supposed route Of the
Exodus, and In many other quarters. Tho
Egypt Exploration fund Is Justly entitled
90 more generous financial support In
England and America than II now 10.
ceivpa