DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.6638#0007
PREFACE.
The present Memoir embodies the results of my exploratory campaign during the
winter season of 1885. Of these results, I have already had the honour to present a
brief viva voce report, in the course of a lecture delivered at the Royal Institution
during the month of October in the same year.
The Members of the Egypt Exploration Fund may probably ask how it is that
they have not sooner received this work, and they may be justly surprised that a
memoir so moderate in length should have been in preparation for nearly twro years.
I can only plead in reply the fact that I was under the necessity of first completing a
very heavy task begun several years before, which task is now finished.
The greater part of this Memoir is devoted to the interpretation of a monument
which has largely contributed to determine the position of the Land of Goshen ; a
subject especially within the domain of the Egypt Exploration Fund, in the service
of which Society I have thrice had the honour to be engaged. Priceless objects of
antiquity are daily disappearing in Egypt, and nowhere does the work of destruction
go on so rapidly as in the Delta. While there is yet time—while still the kindly soil
preserves some store of unrifled treasure—let us endeavour not only to rescue these
invaluable relics, but to make use of them for the solution of those important
geographical and historical problems which confront the Archaeologist at every step.
Burned in the lime-kiln of the fellah, or broken up and sold piecemeal to the passing
tourist, the inscriptions which contain the materials necessary to our studies will ere
long be wanting.
It may perhaps be said that there is not much in a name; and I admit that the
shrine of Saft el Henneh presents fewer points of interest than the store-chambers
and inscriptions of Pithom. I nevertheless venture to hope that this Memoir, which
is the logical and historical sequel of the first, may receive some modest share of that
favour with which " Pithom" has been honoured.
EDOUARD NAVILLE.
Malagny, May, 1887.
The present Memoir embodies the results of my exploratory campaign during the
winter season of 1885. Of these results, I have already had the honour to present a
brief viva voce report, in the course of a lecture delivered at the Royal Institution
during the month of October in the same year.
The Members of the Egypt Exploration Fund may probably ask how it is that
they have not sooner received this work, and they may be justly surprised that a
memoir so moderate in length should have been in preparation for nearly twro years.
I can only plead in reply the fact that I was under the necessity of first completing a
very heavy task begun several years before, which task is now finished.
The greater part of this Memoir is devoted to the interpretation of a monument
which has largely contributed to determine the position of the Land of Goshen ; a
subject especially within the domain of the Egypt Exploration Fund, in the service
of which Society I have thrice had the honour to be engaged. Priceless objects of
antiquity are daily disappearing in Egypt, and nowhere does the work of destruction
go on so rapidly as in the Delta. While there is yet time—while still the kindly soil
preserves some store of unrifled treasure—let us endeavour not only to rescue these
invaluable relics, but to make use of them for the solution of those important
geographical and historical problems which confront the Archaeologist at every step.
Burned in the lime-kiln of the fellah, or broken up and sold piecemeal to the passing
tourist, the inscriptions which contain the materials necessary to our studies will ere
long be wanting.
It may perhaps be said that there is not much in a name; and I admit that the
shrine of Saft el Henneh presents fewer points of interest than the store-chambers
and inscriptions of Pithom. I nevertheless venture to hope that this Memoir, which
is the logical and historical sequel of the first, may receive some modest share of that
favour with which " Pithom" has been honoured.
EDOUARD NAVILLE.
Malagny, May, 1887.