D'Athanasi, Giovanni; Salt, Henry [Hrsg.]: A brief account of the researches and discoveries in Upper Egypt: To which is added a detailed catalogue of Mr. Salts collection of Egyptian antiquities (London, 1836)

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CHAPTER VI.

Papyri—Only used by the priests and wealthier classes-
Substitutes adopted by the poorer people—Parchment—Proofs
that it was in use amongst the ancient Egyptians—Scarabsei—
Curious funereal ceremonies—Method of embalmment used at
Memphis—Funereal vases, or canopi—Antiquities at Elithios.

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, • : . The 'papyri, which now are of the greatest value,
. . ,. - ■ and which are capable of affording us much en-
r _ lightment on matters connected with the ancient
ttkAetetfty Egyptians, are those in what is called the demotic
»i character; they are very rare, and are found not
in the mummies, but in the terra-eotta urns which
are found closed up and buried in the earth around
the tombs. The papyri of this description are
generally small. At the top they generally con-
tain a mark which denotes the date; then begins
the inscription, which is divided into periods.
Sometimes Greek characters ^ire found on these
papyri, but this is very rare. It is supposed that
these papyri do not contain any thing relating to