New-York tribune., 1922-12-22
Home Disputes
OF 1000 B. C.
Shown in Notes
Oldest Papyri Letters in
World on Exhibit To-day
in Egyptian Wing Of
Metropolitan Museum
Sent by Priest to Son
"Turn Out the Maid" Says
One of 8 Epistles Recent.
ly Excavatcd at Luxor

The report 81 tho Egyptian cxpedi-
tion Of the Metropolitan Museum Of
Art for 'hs years 1922. announcing
important discoveries In the eSeava-
tions az Luxor. near Thobcs. and in the
field near tho pyramids Of Lisht, was
made public yesterday IN a supplement
20 tho museums December bulletin.
A series Of the oldest papyri letters
found IN the world is foremost among
me discoveries, which will be placed
on exhibition to-day in the Egyptian
wing Of the museum for the irst time.
They are the letters OF the ka-scrvant
or burial priest, Hckanpkh,, who. IN
addition 20 being a prosperous land
owner, was manager Of the tomb o.
Ipy. an Egyptian noble.
Writing 20 hIs son, VINO has been LEFT
in charge Of the fathers property and
household affairs. he paints what is
considered tho most naive and intimate
self-portrait that any Egyptian Of the
day has left as.
Letters Date Back to 1000 u. e..
The letters. eight IN number. we're
brought 20 light NJ Thebes under the
direction o. Mr. Winlook and date
from 1000 b. G. They we're found in
refuse heap within the tomb o.
Hesom, amid tho castoff materials Of
aasons who built it. Three letters
containing instructions from hekn-
nakht 90 his son and three containing
Inventories are complete.
One OF the documents was found
folded in an envelope and sealed, ready
20 be sent 10 an address contained on
tho outside. These accounts, according
10 SIR. Winlock. portray the Egyptian
In the light OF thoroughly human
creature. with HE own business and
family troublea.
one document lsting the effects oi
Heknnakht 10 be intrustCd TO his SON.
Morsu. contains such ailvsions a.
statement OF Hokanakhts barley,
and sibheadings. "Made over by him
10 his son, Mersu.' Fodder for the
Bulls" with notations under caeh, an
duly itcmiEed and certain words WIT
ten In red for emphasis. Finally comes
a "Statement Of bread given 20 Mersu
OF three different kinds, giving q total
OF 1000 loayes.
In one OF ;he letters be addresses ms
son: "As 20 any flooding on our land
IL h thou who art culliyattng ~. woe
10 All my people with thee. / SHAH
hold thee responsible for II. Be very
active IN cultivating and be very care
ful. Guard the product ~ my grain
l7.ard everything Of minc,' Tho letters
frr.hcr refer 90 qIarIeis ariEing among
the women Of tie aEcients househo!d.
Of theu, be ~ritcs. And have tho
hou.omaid. Semen. turned out Of nay
b,u.n al once" Tho documents were
interpreted end their great value iully
determined shortly after their dlucoN.,
ory. owing 70 the presence IN Luxor OF
an expert. who made the translation
from tho hieratie Few important hnos
Of papyri. Mr. WinlOck seld, nave ever
been worked out so quickly.
Other objects taken from the lheOah
,vravatiors included models Of TOOLS
from a foundation deposit 20 tne toiau
II Queen Hatshepsut. represenllns ,h'
eiehteerlh dynasty; food oHeringf' "
Guiding the head Of an OK found IN tne ,.
cornerstone deposit Of tomb buli'
IN the eleventh dynasty. mason >
cord and reel OF the same PERIOD
faienee articles and packages OF iaise
hair and O grayon Dagger handle o.
the eighteenth dynasty.
Burial Crypts Found Plundered
Many tombs we're opened by the
exeavators 40 Lisbt under direction OF
A c. Mace. Time and again the work
ers uncovered burial chambers only
20 fnd hundreds OF years before they
rad been plundcrcd o. their valuable
relics.
The report tolls. lowevoi. Of great
archaeological data accumulated in the
progress oil unesrthinR toe ruins. "A
COLLECTION OF bead bracelets. collars
and rare "sacred eye" necklace, re-
wsrdcd the efforts OF the Liiht OK
pedition. ~.
Other recent accessions ~ the
museum incorporate a group OF early
s.chlngs and engravings by European
masters, which are now placed on ex-
hlbition In the print room. There are
6ne impressions by MsnteRna, Sehon-
gAuer. Durer. Van Leyden, Goya. Della
eroix. DeVas and Others.
The feature Of the new additions are