DOI Artikel:
Griffith, Francis Ll.: Progress of egyptology: archaeology, hieroglyphic studies, etc.
DOI Seite / Zitierlink: https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.11173#0037
Archaeology, Hieroglyphic Studies, Etc.
23
stele is the most monumental work of these early dynasties that we have
yet seen, and links on to the style of the rock carving of the IVth
Dynasty.
"A piece of a great porphyry vase with the A-a-name of king Kha-
sekhemui was also found ; and part of the base of a statue with apparently
a double fcci-name, which is, therefore, probably of the same king.
"In the town was found another important piece. As yet we only
knew of the three Min statues of Koptos and the kneeling figure of
Hierakonpolis as archaic carving on a large scale. Now a life-size figure
has been found, of the same very archaic style, but dressed differently to
any Egyptian figure, and recalling the early Babylonian style. A long
robe reaches to below the knees; it is thrown over the left shoulder, and
held by the left arm across the breast ; the right arm hangs down the side,
and the hand was pierced, like those of the Min statues. Unhappily, the
head and feet are both lost, and the block has been often re-used for a
threshold and door socket, down the left side.
" A large quantity of flint tools and flakes were found in the town, some
in the temple, and a few from the cemetery. They are of every quality,
from finished knives to mere flakes, and include a great variety of tools.
A large mass of minute wrought flakes, like the so-called ' midgets' of
India and Europe, were found together in one place, some thirty pounds
weight in all.
" On the desert edge a long mass of prehistoric cemetery proved to have
been almost entirely plundered by dealers. Some fine flint work and a good
deal of pottery was recovered. But the main result here was the painted grave
of the middle prehistoric age. The figures are of boats, men, and animals ;
scenes of both hunting and fighting are shown. It is the most important
drawing yet known of the prehistoric age, it clenches for certain the
meaning of the boats on the vases, and shows many details of the pre-
historic life. The whole was very carefully copied full size in colours by
Mr. Green; and he then spent much time and labour in removing the
rotten mud coating bearing the drawings, and fixing it in sheets of plaster.
Thus it travelled safely to the Cairo Museum. Mr. Green completed his
work by a detailed plan and map of the temple and neighbourhood.
" Thus, though these have been but the gleanings after the great harvest
of last year, they have given three unique works of much importance,
such as would very recently have been looked on as being beyond all our
hopes."
Professor Schweinfurth's articles on current excavations have been
23
stele is the most monumental work of these early dynasties that we have
yet seen, and links on to the style of the rock carving of the IVth
Dynasty.
"A piece of a great porphyry vase with the A-a-name of king Kha-
sekhemui was also found ; and part of the base of a statue with apparently
a double fcci-name, which is, therefore, probably of the same king.
"In the town was found another important piece. As yet we only
knew of the three Min statues of Koptos and the kneeling figure of
Hierakonpolis as archaic carving on a large scale. Now a life-size figure
has been found, of the same very archaic style, but dressed differently to
any Egyptian figure, and recalling the early Babylonian style. A long
robe reaches to below the knees; it is thrown over the left shoulder, and
held by the left arm across the breast ; the right arm hangs down the side,
and the hand was pierced, like those of the Min statues. Unhappily, the
head and feet are both lost, and the block has been often re-used for a
threshold and door socket, down the left side.
" A large quantity of flint tools and flakes were found in the town, some
in the temple, and a few from the cemetery. They are of every quality,
from finished knives to mere flakes, and include a great variety of tools.
A large mass of minute wrought flakes, like the so-called ' midgets' of
India and Europe, were found together in one place, some thirty pounds
weight in all.
" On the desert edge a long mass of prehistoric cemetery proved to have
been almost entirely plundered by dealers. Some fine flint work and a good
deal of pottery was recovered. But the main result here was the painted grave
of the middle prehistoric age. The figures are of boats, men, and animals ;
scenes of both hunting and fighting are shown. It is the most important
drawing yet known of the prehistoric age, it clenches for certain the
meaning of the boats on the vases, and shows many details of the pre-
historic life. The whole was very carefully copied full size in colours by
Mr. Green; and he then spent much time and labour in removing the
rotten mud coating bearing the drawings, and fixing it in sheets of plaster.
Thus it travelled safely to the Cairo Museum. Mr. Green completed his
work by a detailed plan and map of the temple and neighbourhood.
" Thus, though these have been but the gleanings after the great harvest
of last year, they have given three unique works of much importance,
such as would very recently have been looked on as being beyond all our
hopes."
Professor Schweinfurth's articles on current excavations have been