DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.6247#0075
( 67 )
No.
482. The cover of a stone vase, representing the human-headed divinity.
In this case the complexion is Hack and the eyelids are yellow.
Limestone.
5 inches high.
483 The cover of a stone jar similar to the former.
This is of very inferior work, and has no paint.
Limestone.
5 inches.
484. A piece of sun-baked brick, obtained from a deep excavation, made for the
foundation of a country-house for Bogos Bey, at Matarieh (Heliopolis),
not far south of Tel Elhuhud.
Tel Elhuhud is a large mound, covered with the ruins of a city, called, in the Itinerary of
Antoninus, " Vicus Judseorum " (see Plate II. of the " Chronology and Geography of Ancient
Egypt," by Samuel Sharpe. Moxon: London, 1849). In the autumn of 1845 several
men were employed in digging out fine large blocks of limestone, which formed the wall on
the west side of this ancient city. These blocks were entirely below the present devel
of the soil, and were the foundation of a brick wall, which was about twelve feet thick.
On the south side, excavations had also been made, and there had been laid bare a perfect
gate, made of large blocks of stone, which was built into the sunburnt brick wall. On the
jambs of this doorway were sculptured the names of Rameses II. Both the wall and the gate
had been entirely enclosed by less ancient brick buildings, such as now appear on the mound
forming the Tel. The stone substructure on the south side had not been laid bare in its
thickness. In all probability there is no record of this discovery but the present, as the
stones were in course of removal to the lime-kiln, and no Europeans resided nearer than
Cairo, a distance of thirty miles. Vicus Judceorum was, for several centuries before the
Christian era, the chief city of the Jews in Egypt. It bore the name of Onion. Here stood
the Jewish temple built in rivalry of that in Jerusalem. Onion was the chief city in the
nome or province of Heliopolis, and not the city of Heliopolis itself, which was of less* import-
ance. Hence Onion was probably the On of Scripture, and not Heliopolis, which the Sep -
tuagint says was On. In the time of the Prophets the city of On, by the change of a single
Hebrew letter in its name, was called, by the Jews of Jerusalem, the city of vanity, Aven.
This reproach was certainly given to no other city than Onion, which held the rival temple.
485. Vase in wood, of the form of those used for unguents, and generally made Sycomore wood.
„ , , 7 inches high.
oi alabaster.
This wooden specimen is not hollowed out, but it has been painted to imitate granite or ala-
baster. Such sham vases are frequently found in the ancient tombs of Thebes and else-
where in Egypt. In this practice, as well as in some others, respecting the offerings to the
dead, the ancient Egyptians resemble the modern Chinese, with whom it is usual to carry,
in the funeral procession, sham bars of silver, and other fictitious objects, to deposit in the
tomb.
K 2
No.
482. The cover of a stone vase, representing the human-headed divinity.
In this case the complexion is Hack and the eyelids are yellow.
Limestone.
5 inches high.
483 The cover of a stone jar similar to the former.
This is of very inferior work, and has no paint.
Limestone.
5 inches.
484. A piece of sun-baked brick, obtained from a deep excavation, made for the
foundation of a country-house for Bogos Bey, at Matarieh (Heliopolis),
not far south of Tel Elhuhud.
Tel Elhuhud is a large mound, covered with the ruins of a city, called, in the Itinerary of
Antoninus, " Vicus Judseorum " (see Plate II. of the " Chronology and Geography of Ancient
Egypt," by Samuel Sharpe. Moxon: London, 1849). In the autumn of 1845 several
men were employed in digging out fine large blocks of limestone, which formed the wall on
the west side of this ancient city. These blocks were entirely below the present devel
of the soil, and were the foundation of a brick wall, which was about twelve feet thick.
On the south side, excavations had also been made, and there had been laid bare a perfect
gate, made of large blocks of stone, which was built into the sunburnt brick wall. On the
jambs of this doorway were sculptured the names of Rameses II. Both the wall and the gate
had been entirely enclosed by less ancient brick buildings, such as now appear on the mound
forming the Tel. The stone substructure on the south side had not been laid bare in its
thickness. In all probability there is no record of this discovery but the present, as the
stones were in course of removal to the lime-kiln, and no Europeans resided nearer than
Cairo, a distance of thirty miles. Vicus Judceorum was, for several centuries before the
Christian era, the chief city of the Jews in Egypt. It bore the name of Onion. Here stood
the Jewish temple built in rivalry of that in Jerusalem. Onion was the chief city in the
nome or province of Heliopolis, and not the city of Heliopolis itself, which was of less* import-
ance. Hence Onion was probably the On of Scripture, and not Heliopolis, which the Sep -
tuagint says was On. In the time of the Prophets the city of On, by the change of a single
Hebrew letter in its name, was called, by the Jews of Jerusalem, the city of vanity, Aven.
This reproach was certainly given to no other city than Onion, which held the rival temple.
485. Vase in wood, of the form of those used for unguents, and generally made Sycomore wood.
„ , , 7 inches high.
oi alabaster.
This wooden specimen is not hollowed out, but it has been painted to imitate granite or ala-
baster. Such sham vases are frequently found in the ancient tombs of Thebes and else-
where in Egypt. In this practice, as well as in some others, respecting the offerings to the
dead, the ancient Egyptians resemble the modern Chinese, with whom it is usual to carry,
in the funeral procession, sham bars of silver, and other fictitious objects, to deposit in the
tomb.
K 2