The Washington times., 1901-07-14
-ecorded example of the primitive writ

ceSsor, and therefore the second King OF
Egypt. was found female arm wrapped
in its original cloth. which on being un-
rolled yielded a unique and valuable set
of jewelry, with designs in gold. turquoise,
lazuli and amethyst. These were restrung
as found. and remain at Gizeh. by far the
olCast and most perfect set of the ancient
Egyptian Jewels. A further example OF
the art Of that reign was two lions in
ivory.
The handle of the royal land-measuring
cord of King Den and two large stones
Inscribed with the name of Perabsen are
also relics OF Importance; but the richest
find comes from the tomb of King Khase-
kheraur. Here were found the royal
sceptre, in good preservation. seven stone
vases with gold covers, two gold brace
let's and twenty copper dishes
A few years ago nothing was known OF
the beginning of Egyptian civilization;
even the Fourth Dynasty, the age of the
Pyramids. was looked upon as so far in
the dim past that we could only marvel
at its monuments. Yet here is light upon
a time much older. We have the unique
picture of m indigenous people develop
ing through the prehistoric stage under
the influence of slow progressive change
of nature Their arts improve. their re-
liSibA lDtIlSs tHty use pictures Ol Adtiltt-
lar objects to represent their thoughts
and eventually to express them. At this
stage a great prince arises, who gathers
together all the people as a nation, and
their civilization has begun. He is truly
the founder of their monarchy, and his
name is handed down as such through
thousands of years. 1t is obvious that
nothing suggests an invasion and settling
of conquerors; it may have been So but
it remains to be proven; had the prehis-
toric people been recognized as such from
the outset. the title of New Race would
not have been given to it; and that name
seems to have been the origin of the the
ory.
We have then before us an outline of
Egyptian history down to the Second Dy-
nasty We note the changes of their arts
and are familiar with their forms and
writings. Yet between this time and the
Pyramid age existed a gap; massive
grandeur characterizes the latter and deli
cate workmanship the former. OF the in
tervening Third Dynasty nothing was
known until the past winter. and much
depended upon the nature of its monu-
ments to decide whether or not there had
been at this stage a break in the con-
tinuity Of the country's history Some
years ago Prof. Petrie had pointed
out the likely Importance of a site lying
northward il the desert from Abydos;
and for the last year, as director of the
Egyptian Research Account. advised It's
exploration by that fund. Mr.. John Gar
stang was again entrusted with the ex-
peaition-
From FL Alawniyeh. working slowly
northward during the winter months.
prehistoric burial ground and two settle
ments of the same period were examined
in turn. An undisturbed burying site of
the old empire yielded some results of in
terest, including a number of the curious
button" seals, which the explorer be-
Heves may have been the real ancestor of
the scarab that in later times became so
popular; and a set of alabaster vessels Of
rare quality with long gold necklet and
jewels, which remain in the musuem at
Cairo
Later in the season Mr. Garstang's at
tention was called to a large cOnstruc-
tion described as an ancient fort, high
up in the desert from Belt Khallaf, west
ward from Girga. The place had already
been examined by a French archaeologist.
80 it appears, and pronounced to be
Greek; but the necessary concession hav-
ing been obtained its excavation was
A secret stairway revealed
itself and soon the name of Meter Kha,
impressed upon the seal of wine jar.
made clear the Importance of the discov-
cry. This name was already known as
that OF the builder of the famous step
pyramid at Saqquara, the oldest of those
great monuments Of early Egypt.
From an adjoining nastaba, built in
imitation of the step pyramid. came also
name new to history, Hen Khet. being
the King. apparently. who succeed
ed the former. In the site around were
large mastahas Of the servants of these
kings; the plans Of their tombs at once
supplied Ihe missing link with those of
the earlier times. Meanwhile. the ex=
cavation of the great tomb showed the
stairway to descend under an arch-the
earliest known-Steeply into he sand,
and to be protected at intervals pOrtcul-
lis-wise, by massive doors Of stone.
Eventually, at a depth of ninety feet
from the surface of the mastaba, Were
found eighteen underground chambers
disturbed and plundered. yet filled with
relics.
At Naga Der. on the opposite side of
the river. DR.. G.. a. Reisner has also
achieved important results for the Uni
Yersity Of California. The period of his
finds embraces all those considered above
with which his results work out in strik-
ing analogy and confirmation. In addition
to large set of vessels OF aIabaster.
slate. diorite and other stones. he has
seals, which are now attracting much at
tentiOn; a gold seal with the name of
Mena. and a gold pendant bearing the
name sign of This. His gold jewels form
a remarkable collection.
At Abu Sin. still bearing on the Old
Empire, DR.. Fl. Schafer and DR.. L. Bor-
for the Germans have continued
their work on the site of the temples of
Ra and of the Obelisk. The startling find
Is a great brick built boat of Ra on the
south side of the temple; but OF equal
Importance is their uncovering of traces
i~gs were constructed-confirming at last
a much-abused theory.
AT Abu Roash. the director of the
French Institute, NJ. Chassinat has un-
earthed parts of statues OF King Ra-
ded-ef.
At Thebes Mr. Percy Newberry con-
tinues his untiring labOrS among the pri-
Rekhmara has not been found. but much !
copying and exploration have
been done. In the debris before one tomb !
were found three bronze dishes perfect |
specimens of the art of their time. in |
each Of which is an OK in the centre. so |
appears to be standing in the fluid and |
drinking from it.
In the Fayoum Messrs. Grenfell and /
Hunt have also continued their regular |
la bors. They have again been fortunate /
I'm the number of papyri found, but I'M !
happily many will be unserviceable on 1
account of the damp With a view To es-
Gaping from this constant danger they /
have been inspecting site in upper /
Egypt for next years work
The official work of the department has
been continued with conspicuous energy. I
At Rarnstk the fallen columns and those
in danger have been removed and num-
rrfffh a n hein