Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-03-12
u. of p. Busily
Digging in Egypt

Philadelph1a, Mar. 1.-THE Univer-
sity OF Pennsylvania Egyptian ex-
petition. which has been delving into
buried history ut the entrance to the
valley OF the Kings. where the tomb
Of Tutankhamun was recently found,
Is preparing to move to n cooler cli-
mate to continue searching for bits
OF information relating to the activ-
tiles of men in past ages.
I The university is now conducting
four expeditions. One is in the VAL
ley Of the Kings, another at Memphis,
which was the oldest capital Of
Egypt; third In PALESTINE and
another IN Babylonia where, in con-
nection with the expedition OF the
British Museum, an ancient temple
believed to have been built 5000 years
before the birth OF Christ was dis
covered. Announcement Of the find
ing Of this temple was recently made.
Inscriptions were found showing that
king Nebuchadnezzar repaired the
place during his reign in the sixth
century, b. c.
The university has arranged the
work Of her eXcavators so that when
the hot weather season comes in one
place they move to another, thus as
surfing almost continuous effort
The work now coming to a close Is
at Thebes in an area adjoining the
concession Of Lord Carnarvon. Dur
ing the two seasons OF digging at
Thebes, several tombs have been dis
covered constructed in the same way
as that Of Tutankhamun. but all Of
them open and looted. The objects
found in each were not of interest to
robbers. such as canopic Jars. ushab-
tis. inscriptions and papyri.
In the last named class Of objects
4 really notable discovery was made
at the close of last season when two
scaled pottery cylinders were found
within the entrance chamber of q
tomb which contained rolls Of papyri.
These were in n perfect state of pre-
sc"vation. on the outside of each
roll was docket written in ancient
Greek. and upon examination the
papyri proved to be Denote docu-
mcnts dating from 31S Is. G. to 265
Il. c. They are mostly contracts,
and contain the business transac-
tons of a family during the period Of
years which they covered. These
papyri are now being translated in
the university museum.
All of the tonbs discovered on the
of the government of Thebes who
wished to be buried near the kings.
and whose tonlbs arc therefore found
in close proximity to the royal rest
ing places.
At the same time that the uniVer-
sity museum is working this conces-
sion at Til ocs II is also cXCavatlnc
at Memphis. fourteen miles above
cairo. where the museum expedition
discovered several years aCo inc
royal palace Of Mercnptah. m eXten :
siNc structure covering n large area
and enclosing numerous courts. Inc
floors of this temple are found -
feet below the surface Of the ground,
/ The lower walls. AMI sometimes
, doorways and parts of columns, arc
! found standing.
One of the interesting discoveries
made at this palace is the head OF
n life size statue Of Akhnaton, IN"
| father-in law of Tutankhanun The
, fca lures are cxuuisitely modelled ana
the sensitive face is rendered IN q
wonderfully lifelike manner.
The throne room Of the Merenptah
palace. especially the Gais, SHOWS
rich sculpture and elaborate use Oh
color. The ornaments and Nero
glyphic inscriptions on the columns
and the stoncworll surrounding 'he
doorways, are inlaid with beautiful
! pale blue fayence. surrounding the
| throne room are dressing rooms, re-
firing rooms, and bathroom Which
/ originally had running water.
| Excavation is still in progress. ana
i its completion is expected to throw
much light on the domestic ana
4 official life of the Phara obs.
Memphis was the capita! or tGNpt
! from, the earliest times down to apout
| 2V0O L. G. Then the Pharaohs moved
their capital south to Thehes, Whic''
arose to great splcndor. Horcdotui.
! referred to the hundred gates "i
/ Thebes. This city remained the cay
/ ital until Alexander the Great found
/ ed the new capital ut AleXahd'la'
! cyceDt for that brief interval Wnel'
! AIhnatcn built his new capital ~
/ Tell ell Amarna in order that y.
might start everything IN EGEPt.
afrcsh: religion. art, architecture anu
government. His interesting eXpefl-
! ment lasted for about generation
/ or until Tutanlihamun restored 'he
! old religion. reversed the poiieE Va
/ his father-in law. changed ms haiic
! from Tutankhaton to Tutankhamui,
! as n symbol of his reversion' am.
! went back to Thebes as the seat Oh
/ his government. j.,
! Mcrcnptah. who ls regafdeu ~
| most authorities AS the Pnaraon "t
! The Exodus. reigned l223 70 l-l'
| T. G. or about 125 years after lul-
| ankhamun.